In late May, Toyota collaborated with Subaru and Mazda in a joint conference to focus on developing a new series of more environmentally friendly combustion engines. Toyota is working on more compact four-cylinder engines, Subaru is refining their boxer engines, and Mazda is advancing the range-extending rotary engine. A recent, unexpected video emphasizes the growing partnership between two of these Japanese automakers. Released by Toyota Times, the three-hour video showcases the distinctive sound of a Subaru engine, specifically a turbocharged 1.8-liter boxer used in the Levorg Layback, which is essentially a raised version of the Levorg, an Impreza wagon sold in select markets.
Note that the Layback featured is not entirely standard, as it includes an upgraded exhaust system from Subaru Tecnica International (STI). Filmed in ASMR style, the 180-minute video demonstrates the advantages of the optional STI muffler. In the Toyota Times, a Subaru engineer specializing in air intake systems laments the impact of stringent regulations on engine noise. Nobuyoshi Takashima comments, "Current regulations require us to make production models as quiet as possible." Fortunately, STI helps recover some of the lost sound of the boxer engine, albeit in a lifted wagon rather than an actual STI vehicle. The 1.8-liter boxer engine delivers 174 hp to an all-wheel-drive system via a CVT, compared to up to 271 hp in the standard Levorg in certain markets, and even more in the Japanese Levorg STI Sport with a 2.4-liter gas engine from the WRX.
Beyond the GR86/BRZ collaboration and this new engine alliance, it's important to note Toyota's significant stake in Subaru, holding a 20.42% share, and a 5.05% share in Mazda, another partner in the engine alliance. Meanwhile, another alliance is forming in Japan, with Mitsubishi recently joining the Honda-Nissan partnership announced in March.
