A boxer engine, also known as a "flat engine" is an internal combustion engine in which the engine layout is different in the way that the cylinders are arranged horizontally in two banks on either side of a single crankshaft. This is why the boxer is also known as a horizontally opposed engine, and the name comes from the visual resemblance of the movement of the opposing pistons to that of a boxer punching his fists outward. The engine is characterised by its low centre of gravity, efficient cooling, and smooth performance. Said to be originally designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the boxer engine is still used extensively by Porsche in their 911, Cayman, and Boxster models today. Toyota and Subaru are the other automakers that still use boxer engines in their cars today, such as in the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ.
The main advantage of a boxer engine is that it has excellent balance and low vibration, allowing for smooth operation across the rev range. It also tends to be inherently more compact than other types of engines because the opposite pistons cancel out each other's vibrations during movement. In addition, a boxer engine is lightweight since fewer parts are required compared to inline or V-shaped engines.
A boxer engine works similarly to any other type of combustion engine: air and fuel mix together and ignite inside the cylinders creating energy that moves the pistons and generates power for propulsion. This can be seen with four-stroke engines: intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, exhaust stroke.
In terms of differences between a boxer engine and other types of engines, one significant implementation is its cooling system. The two rows of cylinders are often cooled through split water jackets, meaning there is a separate jacket for each row of cylinders instead of just one jacket surrounding all cylinders as found on an inline or V-shaped motor. This results in improved cooling efficiency because coolant must travel less distance between each cylinder before dropping off heat in the radiator tank.
Overall, while much like other forms of internal combustion motors in principle and performance, boxer engines have many unique components and design features that make them popular among car enthusiasts looking for reliable yet highly efficient performance from their vehicles.
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