Subaru to Retire EJ20 Engine After 2025 SUPER GT Season
Subaru has confirmed the retirement of the two-litre turbocharged EJ20 flat-4 engine from the GT300 Subaru BRZ, effective after the 2025 Autobacs SUPER GT Series. This decision marks the end of an era for a powertrain that has driven Subaru’s competitive motorsports efforts for nearly three decades.
Legacy of the EJ20 Engine
The EJ20 engine, in production since 1989, has been instrumental in Subaru’s history, powering all GT300 entries in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) and SUPER GT since its inception. Cusco Racing first utilized the engine in the Subaru Impreza from 1998 to 2008, followed by a partnership with R&D Sport that began in 2009. Under this partnership, the EJ20 helped the Legacy B4 GT300 and the BRZ clinch various accolades, including Subaru’s first GT300 Championship in 2021.
Despite being phased out of production vehicles in 2019, the EJ20 remained active in motorsports, notably powering the #61 Subaru BRZ R&D Sport, which faced challenges in recent years, culminating in an engine failure during the 2025 Fuji Golden Week race, just laps away from a potential victory.
Future Developments
Subaru has begun testing a new engine to succeed the EJ20. Early prototypes, such as the “STI S001,” were run during a test at Mobility Resort Motegi on October 6-7, 2025. Notably, this modified BRZ displayed a sound reminiscent of a six-cylinder engine, indicating a significant shift in Subaru’s engine strategy.
Subaru’s official announcement via Subaru Technica International (STI) encapsulated the company’s sentiments about the EJ20, highlighting its deep-rooted connection to Subaru’s motorsport success and its pending retirement: “This engine will retire after this season, handing over the role of the car’s powerplant to its successor next season.”
The new engine’s full specifications and additional details are expected to be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2026. As Subaru transitions to this new powerplant, the motorsports community anticipates how this shift will impact future performances on the track.
Conclusion
The departure of the EJ20 symbolizes a significant transition in Subaru’s motorsports narrative, offering a blend of nostalgia for its historic accomplishments and anticipation for the technological advancements that lie ahead.
