Subaru's main engine design uses what is called a boxer type engine which has the cylinders directly across a horizontal plane rather than a V pattern, almost like they are swinging punches away from the crankshaft which is were it gets its name.    

    

There are lots of good reasons to like the boxer engine because it allows for a nice low center of gravity       and is very smooth due to its built in balance.

Elegantly clean, and sporty