Geneva show: Subaru goes all Boxer

SUBARU is set to leverage the cache of its trademark horizontally-opposed boxer engine by naming the underpinnings of its all-new rear-drive sportscar ‘Boxer Sports Car Architecture’.

The Japanese company, which is developing the new ‘Subarota’ four-seat sports coupe in cahoots with Toyota, has released a teaser image of the new mechanical layout that it is preparing to reveal at next week’s Geneva motor show.

The image shows a chromed cutaway boxer engine sitting in the engine bay of a car that is only seen in outline.

While Toyota is preparing to show a second-generation body design concept for its version of the turbo-charged boxer-power sports coupe at the Swiss show, Subaru is said to be sticking to the technical side of the story in its Geneva display.

Apart from the engine, Subaru’s mock-up is expected to reveal the rear-drive drivetrain and chassis – all of which are expected to be shared with Toyota for its own version, called FT-86.

(Left) 2010 Toyota FT-86 concept.

But GoAuto understands that the Subaru display vehicle is likely to be cloaked at least partially in a transparent acrylic body that might give some hints as to the final shape of the long-awaited sportscar that is expected to debut internationally as a 2012 model.

The teaser image gives an indication of that shape, with a grey and blue framework around the drivetrain, chassis and wheels.

Says Subaru in its press release: “The Subaru Boxer Sports Car Architecture embodies the technology concept of Subaru’s rear-wheel-drive sports car, currently under joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation.

“It also represents a proposal of Subaru’s new platform technology, build around its key component – the horizontally-opposed Subaru boxer engine.” Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries has opened a special website - www.subaru-global.com/boxersports - “with a view to increasing customers’ understanding of the philosophy underpinning this unique technology exhibit”.

The Subaru Australia is yet to confirm an arrival date for the sports coupe, but it is likely to be either 2012 or 2013.

Toyota’s version is expected to use Subaru’s boxer engine, which has been tweaked with direct injection and other advanced technology courtesy of Toyota engineers.

The concept of the Toyota car to appear at Geneva – dubbed FT-86 II – has been partly revealed in a teaser photo showing a re-profiled bonnet and front spoiler, with a hint of Lexus LFA supercar.