Subaru's new boxer engine will make first appearance in Forester

Subaru Forester. Photo / Stuart Munro

Subaru's new boxer engine will make its first appearance in New Zealand early next year under the bonnet of the Forester.

The carmaker claims the new unit is only the third all-new petrol engine of its type since the company adopted the horizontally opposed engine architecture in the Subaru 1000 more than 40 years ago, back in 1966.

The redesigned flat-four also represents the engine's first "overall renewal" since the second-generation boxer four emerged 21 years ago in the first Legacy of 1989.

It will be produced in 2-litre and 2.5-litre capacities for the Japanese domestic market.

Only details of the new 2-litre engine have been disclosed.

Internal changes give a smaller cylinder bore and a much longer stroke compared with the current engine.

Other changes include a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and a more compact oil pump, which the carmaker claims will reduce friction loss by 30 per cent while also improving fuel efficiency and engine response.