Infiniti has revealed it new ground-breaking engine technology at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The show marks the global debut for the brand’s VC-Turbo engine – the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. Touted as one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever created, VC-Turbo technology is claimed to combine the power of a high-performance 2.0-litre turbo gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of an advanced diesel powertrain with lesser emissions.
Infiniti’s new VC-Turbo technology uses an advanced multi-link system to increases or reduce the reach of the pistons. The system detects the driving conditions and driver inputs, and accordingly selects the most suitable compression ratio. The the new engine can offer compression ratios ranging from 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency).
The VC-Turbo engine will have a power output of approximately 268 hp and 390 Nm of torque. That performance ins comparable to certain six-cylinder gasoline powertrains for performance, while significantly outperforming them in efficiency. The new four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine is also said to have lower levels of noise and vibration than conventional internal combustion engines. It is also lighter and more compact than V6 units with similar performance.
Infiniti claims that the new VC-Turbo technology marks a significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine. The new tech will join other renowned powertrain innovations such as liquid-cooling, fuel injection, catalytic convertors, and turbocharging. The arrival of the variable compression ratio engine is expected to establish new benchmarks – for power, efficiency and emissions – against which future powertrains will be measured.
Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti Motor Company, commented: “The pioneering new VC-Turbo powertrain represents a leap forward for engine development. Vehicle engineers believe the breakthrough in internal combustion technology would come from mastering the variable compression ratio. Infiniti will be the first to bring this technology to the market in 2018. This new generation of powertrains will help our global growth and expansion of the Infiniti product portfolio.”
