Boxer engine refers to a horizontally-opposed engine. It is named as such because of the horizontal arrangement of the cylinders, which resembles the positioning of boxers in a fighting ring.
Speaking of the horizontally-opposed engine, the first thing that comes to mind is its handling. Since the adjacent cylinders are arranged horizontally, this engine can easily counteract each other's vibrations, resulting in smoother operation. Besides, the engine's lower center of gravity, as compared to the previous year, has saved space inside the engine.
Regarding the center of gravity of a car, the horizontally-opposed engine has an inherent advantage. In terms of power transmission, the output shaft direction of the horizontally-opposed engine is the same as that of the drive shaft. When the engine is rotating, it can be immediately connected to the clutch and transmission, without changing the power transmission direction, resulting in higher efficiency.
While the horizontally-opposed engine has advantages, it also has disadvantages. Its maintenance is not convenient in the later stage. Additionally, the ignition sound and noise produced when the horizontally-opposed engine operates are quite unique. It is easy to identify a car equipped with this engine while driving.
After reading Bian Xiao's introduction, do you have a deeper understanding of what a horizontally-opposed engine is? We hope that Bian Xiao's explanation today can help everyone. If you find it helpful, please recommend it to more people.