Toyota has been getting most of the attention for the new 86 (Scion FR-S) sports car, but Subaru played a huge part of the development process. In fact, the car’s horizontally-opposed boxer four-cylinder was developed by Subaru. It’ll be an interesting sales race to watch in the United States and around the world.
Word is that the BRZ’s engine will be used in future products at Subaru. We aren’t sure what the situation will be at Toyota; we’d be surprised the four-cylinder make its way into anything else there. Motor Trend reports that the first application of the engine in another car will be the next-generation WRX and STI.
Currently, the WRX is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 265 horsepower. Next time around, it will drop to 2.0-liters, adding 5 hp while improving fuel efficiency. The FA20 engine in the BRZ is lighter, more compact and more fuel efficient than any of Subaru’s engines.
It uses an advanced D4S direct and port fuel injection system that helps it improve economy. The engine is a different series than the 2.0-liter unit in the current Impreza. That will give the next-gen WRX and STI a step further in separation from the standard Impreza. This will separate WRX and STI from the Impreza line even further; the company recently dropped the “Impreza WRX” name. Look for the next-generation car to have more distinctive styling as wellg.
News about a turbocharged variant of the FA20 engine is quite interesting, because it means that turbocharging could be added to the BRZ (and Toyota 86/Scion FR-S) quite easily. For now executives don’t want to talk about that possibility, but we’d be shocked if something didn’t come of it. Enthusiasts are begging for more power in these rear-wheel drive cars, and we think Subaru and Toyota will be happy to oblige….they just aren’t confirming anything right now. Makes sense, why reduce sales right now by confirming anything? Besides, the aftermarket will provide some solutions I’m sure.
