The upcoming 2.0T engine - A possible option for the OBW?

[Healey3000]

Hi,

Reading about the 2014 Forester supposedly due out in spring of 2013, I'm wondering if that new turbo engine will find its way into the OBW.

It's interesting that Subaru would take the trouble to redesign the H-6 engine, with that 2.0T so close on its heels. The trend seems to be towards smaller displacement turbo engines.

That Forester looks very good on paper - same cargo and seating capacity as the OBW, a more powerful engine with minimal MPG penalty and similar center of gravity. Plus, an all-black dash/console :-).

Too good to be true?

[mikelipke]

I dunno. I drove the Hyundai inline 4 cyl 2.0 liter turbo.
Quite powerful with about 270 hp.
Very smooth and fast.
Nice

[DrD]

I wouldn't think so - they killed off the Outback XT a while ago which I imagine was due to lackluster sales... maybe it will show up in the Legacy if they bring back the GT (it's already in the JDM Legacy) - then again, the engine seems to always be mated to a CVT, so maybe it will make it into both the Outback and the Legacy... maybe replacing the 3.6? More power and better fuel economy... what's not to like!

[pgh]

You bet, I predict the H6 will no longer be a option for the next gen OB. Fuel economy will be a major factor. Look for a slight bump in the 2.0 FBDIT that will power the 14 Fonz

[fun2drive]

2.0L turbo running 87 octane? I bet not. Unless the new engine has a lot of low end torque like 1400 rpms it will not be all that useful. If it does have a lot of torque at low rpms it will be a huge success.
It is to be seen what the real 14 looks like and what the real engine come out being. Nothing is final and I have no idea what Subaru will really do.
It would be a whole different story if Subaru had the guts to import the 2.0L turbo diesel. That would be a significant increase in fuel mileage...

[dboz]

Many turbo cars can now run on 87, you just wont make as much power.

[Georgeh]

I certainly hope so, and agree with pgh that the H6 will be retired.

One of my disappointments with Subaru was that they do not currently have an answer for the German cars with their awesome 2.0 turbos (Audi, BMW). Both the A4 and X3 give great low to midrange torque but still deliver 20/28 MPG. With the OB, you have to go to the 3.6R to get that kind of performance (which I did) but you give up mileage.

Subaru really needs to have more engine options going forward - 2.0t for people who want performance, and hybrids and/or diesels for those who want optimum economy, with the 2.5L motor being the low-cost choice.

[mikelipke]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

2.0L turbo running 87 octane? I bet not. Unless the new engine has a lot of low end torque like 1400 rpms it will not be all that useful. If it does have a lot of torque at low rpms it will be a huge success.
It is to be seen what the real 14 looks like and what the real engine come out being. Nothing is final and I have no idea what Subaru will really do.
It would be a whole different story if Subaru had the guts to import the 2.0L turbo diesel. That would be a significant increase in fuel mileage...

Taka a look at the 2.0T specs on the new Santa Fe. You will be shocked at what 87 octane can do. Flattest torque curve you have ever seen.

[Healey3000]

Originally Posted by mikelipke

Taka a look at the 2.0T specs on the new Santa Fe. You will be shocked at what 87 octane can do. Flattest torque curve you have ever seen.

That is an impressive engine; I drove one as well. There are some odd flat spots in the throttle response, making it less than linear but that's probably a transmission thing as well.

The Subaru engine can take 87 octane but I read that power is derated to 230 from 250.

The big question for me is whether the 2014 Forester would be a better purchase than the current OBW. Three or four months isn't that long to wait (but deals may be hard to come by).

[arizonaadam]

I'd like to see it in the brz.