It used to be that power and efficiency were two mutually exclusive spheres. You couldn’t have a powerful engine that sipped as little fuel as possible. Or so we thought. Nissan tries to break this notion by introducing a new technology known as Variable Compression.
Unveiled on ithe new Infiniti QX50, the new SUV packs a 2.0-liter mill that boasts of the world’s first variable compression turbo technology. What this essentially means is that the engine can seamlessly switch its compression ratio, depending on driving conditions.
Thanks to the world’s first multilink system and electric motor with a Harmonic Drive reduction system, the engine can vary its compression ratio anywhere from 8:1 to 14:1 seamlessly, on demand. What this does is give the driver power (with low compression) and efficiency minus the engine knock (at high compression).
Moreover, the single scroll turbo means power on demand at the press of the accelerator pedal. All this tech translates to an engine output of 268hp and 380Nm. With just two liters of displacement, the VC Turbo lump develops power and torque akin to a bigger gasoline or diesel mill. Plus, Infiniti claims that fuel efficiency is pretty much like that of a diesel or even hybrid motor.
The Variable Compression Turbo made its production debut in the all-new Infiniti QX50.
