A crack-squad of Subaru ‘boxers’ have just completed a special mission – lending support to the UK’s top amateur cyclists in the gruelling ‘London-Paris Cycle Tour 2008’.

The fleet of Boxer Diesel Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback models were among the official Subaru back-up cars in the 600 km ride which raises money for charity.

Billed as ‘The Professional event for Amateurs’, the three-day tour started at London’s Hampton Court and ended at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In between it took in the classic Paris-Roubaix stage – better known as ‘The Hell Of The North’ because of its demanding cobbles.

Subaru is no stranger to cycling sponsorship having provided support vehicles for Lance Armstrong’s US Postal squad in the 1990s as well as this year backing the French Pro-Tour outfit, ‘Bouygues Telecom’.

Launched earlier this year, Subaru’s first diesel engine has won widespread praise for its refinement, performance and outstanding fuel economy. It is called a ‘boxer’ because of its horizontally-opposed pistons which move in and out like the fists of two boxers.

This layout allows the engine to sit lower in the car, providing a lower centre-of-gravity for enhanced handling and roadholding.