yes but. what is more apparent now is the reason for the engine. aside from parts sharing. its packaging.

new cars basically have to have a low CD, for emssions alone, (86 GT is .27.. thats super low!) and short over hangs, as any good sports car should anyway. this doesnt leave a lot of room in the front for a longitudinal engine.

but a boxer is short. so they have managed to keep the weight back, and even more importantly, its LOW.

lowering the CG of a car is almost the most important aspect of good dynamics. this is why you lower your car. this part of the reason race cars have dry sump systems, and its the reason thing like the M3 CSL has a carbon roof etc. CG is everything to a sports car.

before seeing a lot more detail shots etc i wasnt convinced about the platform sharing. if you look at an imprezza, the the engine is way up high (sitting above the front diff)

but this is a dedicated RWD platform, and the layout is very elegant for a production car.

im not saying i love the boxxer but its there for a reason and its going to really make the car special.


also as far as power potential. the boxxer layout doesnt mean it cant make NA power. engine dynamics are to do with internal friction, port design, bore/stroke/rod ratio. there is nothing about having the pistons horizontally opposed that is stopping them getting these actual important things right. boxxer configuration has been used in MANY amazing race cars (both porsche and ferrari as well as others).