That's not exactly unheard from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, as the Mitsubishi Evo has gone north of 300 horsepower with one, and several other similarly-sized four-pots have flirted with similar territory. Still, it's very fun territory, and the idea of the WRX going back to a 2.0-liter while gaining power engine makes us very happy.
Why? In part because it would be advantageous for certain classes of competitive motorsports. Also in part because it will be just as fun-to-drive as the current 2.5-liter, 265-horsepower engine while also likely being more fuel efficient--we like to have our cake and eat it, too.
In fact, as Motor Trend reports, the FA20, as the BRZ's flat-four is called, should nip up to 30 mpg in turbo form on the highway, a gain of 5 mpg against the current WRX engine. Around-town driving will probably see less improvement simply due to the physics of accelerating roughly the same mass from rest.
The engine is pegged to arrive in the next-generation WRX, however, which will likely be based on the new Impreza sedan, which is now being sold alongside the current WRX, which is based on the previous-generation Impreza. That hints at a 2012 debut in 2013 model-year trim, though as yet, Subaru hasn't made any official confirmation.
Stay tuned for more info as the story develops.
