- The engine in the 2003 Subaru WRX is a four-cylinder boxer unit. In this rare configuration, the cylinders sit on opposite sides of the engine block and resemble a pair of boxers exchanging punches when viewed from the top. Subaru prefers this layout because it allows for a flatter engine and lower center of gravity.
- A turbo compressor feeds the engine, which has a bore of 92 mm, a stroke of 75 mm and a compression ratio of 8.0 to 1. The engine features two intake valves and two exhaust valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts. The turbocharger helps provide strong off-the-line acceleration and manages turbo lag well.
- The engine produces 227 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and offers 217 foot-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The WRX is a global tuner favorite supported by a wide network of aftermarket parts, which can take these figures significantly higher. It gets 20 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 27 mpg highway.
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