Unfortunately, it looks like none of that has turned up in the new engine. Subaru says that thanks to a few tweaks, the powerplant is now 10 percent more fuel-efficient -- but when that new, more efficient engine is bolted to the 2011 Forester, buyers can expect a mere 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway. For comparison’s sake, last year’s automatic Forester netted 20/26. When it comes to its new engine, it’s clear the Japanese manufacturer isn’t interested in shattering records.

The same can be said on the power front. With its all-new engine, the 2011 Forester can brag about 170 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque -- just 4 more lb-ft of twist than the 2010 model. So the question remains, why did Subaru go through all the trouble of re-engineering its tried-and-true engine? Why did the company go through the hassle of constructing a new facility just for the new 4-cylinder engine?

To find the answers, we need to understand the history of the evolution of the company’s second-generation boxer-four. It wasn't a bang-and-then-done process; rather, Subaru managed to keep that design alive through a constant stream of meticulous improvement. What started as a humble lump eventually evolved into the 300-plus horsepower beast that breathes fire under the hood of the WRX STI. Likewise, this new engine boasts dual-overhead chain-driven cams and variable valves, meaning it’s a platform that’s just waiting to be built upon. The new engine may not be much to brag about right now, but give the company a year or two and our guess is that we’ll see vast improvements in efficiency and power.