What are boxer engines?

Answer by  green (31)

A boxer engine is also called a horizontally opposed engine. The cylinders are in two rows, separated by 180 degrees. Half of the cylinders are on each side. Subaru, Porsche, and air cooled Volkswagen engines are the most common boxer engines. These engines can run more smoothly and are shorter in length but much wider than inline engines.

Answer by  4by4 (36)

Boxer engines have horizontally-opposed combustion chambers and pistons. The crankshaft is in between the combustion chambers, and when the pistons move, they move horizontally away from or toward each other. This is in contrast to a "V" or inline engine, in which the pistons move vertically.

Answer by  MHugabom (523)

Boxer engines are 4 cylinder engines with 2 banks of cylinders mounted opposite each other at 180 degrees. Think of a V6 just flat with 2 less cylinders. Subaru uses boxer engines.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

This refers to a special type of engine cylinder layout. Most vehicles on the road have some type of inline, straight, or "v" configuration in it's engines. However Manufacturers like Porsche and Subaru still produce horizontally opposed or "boxer" style engine. It got it's name from how the pistons move out towards to the side similar to a boxer punching.

Answer by  Amber40 (24961)

They are engines with horizontally opposed cylinder. Meaning the pistons travel from the center straight out to the sides instead of a upward on an angle like other engines.