Say Goodbye to Subaru EJ20 Engine

The Subaru EJ flat-four is a tough powerhouse that can be relied upon to propel the Japanese company’s vehicles. It was created to succeed the previous-generation EA engine and for three decades it has survived modernization and technological development. But now, one of its more notable versions – the EJ20 – must rest in peace as its production sees discontinuation.

It’s very appropriate that this happens in the Subaru WRX STI EJ20 Final Edition, which recently broke cover at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. The model is made only for the Japanese market, with production limited to only 555 units and it packs the final example of the 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four mill which this time produces no less than 304 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.

First introduced in 1989, the EJ series has given rise to a number of other versions over the decades. A more popular version among Americans may be the larger 2.5-liter EJ25 that entered the WRX in 2006 and now powers the WRX STI. As for the outgoing WRX, it packs the more recent 2.0-liter FA20.

Nevertheless, the EJ20 also gained popularity in America, especially among JDM tuners, swappers, and aficionados, some of whom just want to use it to replace the VW Beetle‘s and Karmann Ghia’s engines. And when you think about it, it’s pretty impressive that the EJ20 has lasted this long regardless of increasingly stringent emissions standards across the globe.

Another important thing Subaru revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show is a new 1.8-liter turbo boxer four that will be used in the latest Subaru Levorg estate. It’s reported that the engine or car will preview the next WRX in some way.