What kind of engine is in the Subaru BRAT?
The Subaru BRAT is powered by a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine (a “boxer” engine) from Subaru’s EA engine family, typically configured in the 1.6 to 1.8-liter range, and it used carbureted fuel delivery in its early years with fuel-injected options appearing later in the broader Subaru lineup.
Engine layout and identity
The BRAT’s powertrain centers on the classic Subaru boxer configuration—a flat-four layout with opposing cylinders arranged horizontally. This design lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity and contributes to balanced handling, a hallmark of Subaru models from the era.
Engine family and displacement
In the BRAT, Subaru relied on engines from the EA family. Across its production run, these engines were generally in the 1.6-liter to 1.8-liter range, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed units designed for reliability and straightforward maintenance.
Key characteristics of the BRAT’s engine can be summarized as a compact, air-offering, water-cooled, naturally aspirated boxer four that aligned with the brand’s emphasis on practicality and durability.
Induction and cooling
Early BRATs used carbureted fuel delivery, which was common for the era. As Subaru’s technology evolved, the broader lineup moved toward fuel injection, but the BRAT retained the durable, simple-carbureted approach in many markets during its production years. The engines themselves are liquid-cooled, matching Subaru’s standard configuration for these period models.
Production context and relevance
The BRAT was produced from 1978 to 1984, a period when Subaru standardized on the boxer engine layout across its passenger wagons and light trucks. The engine’s simplicity and robustness were well-suited to the BRAT’s dual role as family transport and light off-road vehicle.
Why this engine matters
The choice of a boxer four-cylinder in a compact wagon like the BRAT reflects Subaru’s engineering philosophy: a low center of gravity, balanced torque delivery, and ease of maintenance. Even as injection technology arrived in other models, the BRAT’s engine remained approachable for owners and mechanics, contributing to a reputation for reliability and practicality in a small, capable vehicle.
Summary
In short, the Subaru BRAT uses a classic Subaru boxer four-cylinder (horizontally opposed) engine from the EA family, typically in 1.6–1.8 liters. It began with carbureted fuel delivery and later incorporated broader industry shifts toward fuel injection, all within a compact, durable, water-cooled design that defined the BRAT’s practical, go-anywhere character.
