Formula 1 Subaru Flat-12:
In 1990 Subaru took over the Coloni Formula One team, acquiring a 51% ownership stake, paying off the team’s debts, and supplying a new, unique engine. The engine was a flat-12 called the “MM” series, which in fact was penned by Carlo Chiti.
![Formula 1 Subaru Flat-12: In late 1988, the Japanese commissioned Chiti to design a new Formula One engine with a "flat" layout, as used in their road cars.](https://subaruidiots.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Flat12Subaru1.jpg)
Chiti’s Motori Moderni company at Novara had supplied V6 turbo engines for the Minardi Formula One team from 1985 to 1987, and in 1988 Chiti had penned a naturally aspirated V12 engine that attracted Subaru. In late 1988, the Japanese commissioned Chiti to design a new Formula One engine with a “flat” layout, as used in their road cars.
The engine was completed in the summer of 1989, and was tested in a Minardi M188 chassis; due to a severe lack of power, Minardi lost interest. After a few months of searching, Subaru found the Coloni team. Eventually, the Subaru Coloni team was founded with Enzo Coloni staying on board as the man for operational business.