Infiniti has revealed the world’s first, production-ready variable compression ratio engine, which will make its public debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new VC-T (Variable Compression-Turbocharged) unit is a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which is expected to go on sale in 2018, making Infiniti the first carmaker in the world to sell an engine with the technology.
Infiniti’s VC-T technology allows the engine to raise or lower the height the pistons reach, allowing for the engine’s displacement of the engine to change, and the compression ratio to vary seamlessly between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency).
This is accomplished through a mechanical actuator arm that is connected to the piston’s conrods through a slot in the side of the engine block, which controlled via the engine’s control logic that determines the optimum ratio to be applied depending on the driving demands.
The actuator arm is operated by an electric motor fitted on the outside of the engine block, and pushes a lever-type link that joins the conrods, which themselves are made in two halves. This effectively changes the length of the conrods, where a higher compression ratio is achieved with a longer length, and vice versa.
Furthermore, the engine has two parallel fuel injection systems, one direct and one into the intake manifold, and can switch between the standard combustion and fuel-saving Atkinson combustion cycles. The engine has been in development for more than 20 years, since 1998, and can benefit from hybridisation for an estimated further 10% improvement in fuel economy.
The all-new engine serves as a replacement for Infiniti’s 3.5 litre V6, and is expected to be used on the new QX50, followed by the Q30 and QX30 in the future.
In terms of power, the VC-T unit develops around 270 hp and 390 Nm of torque, and is claimed to be 27% more economical than an equivalent petrol engine without variable compression ratio technology. The Autocar report also says that the engine’s NVH levels are similar to a petrol V6, and is cheaper to build than a Euro 6-compatible diesel engine.
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I have always mistaken its logo as China-made car
Chery?
Yea Chery’s logo
Yeah. At least it not upside down adidas logo
Whilst the whole world is progressing with newer engines, Proton is still begging for RM1.5 billion. Newer engines also not invented by them, it had to be invented by Petronas.
How long Petronas want to take care of Proton? From giving Proton billions to giving them engines….
Meanwhile toyota still using 1nzfe until 4040
Fanboi doesn’t even know what 1nzfe is…
Poton enjin better
Poton = Foton?
Then yeah, I guess ur right
This is quite a breakthrough in engine tech. Best of both worlds done in a mechanical way and not some half baked software solution. Wow.
sounds impressive. cool
Proton will soon follow using the name like VVT of jepunis overlords coz own name like Campro and CFE tak boleh pakai
cud this b d future Nissan g-tr engine?
vc-t engine & drive by wire making d evebtual facelifted q50 one of the most high tech sports sedan out there….
in terms of looks, i’d say it is d prettiest in its class….
but, its 200kg heavier than d c class, and interior dashboard looks korean-esque….
but anyway, the facelifted q50 would hv to compete against a new 3 series….. Lets see how it pans out…..
20 years! now that’s research for you..
how will this get taxed based on engine cc???
since 1998? that is only 18 years. not “more than 20 years”
The research start more than 20 years, the prototype made 1998.
Kudos Nissan! any new engine technology that gives better power and more fuel efficient will be always welcomed!
better buy mercedes SUV , no body kenal infiniti
How much should u pay for the road tax of this car in Malaysia? Upper? Lower?
Same concept developed by Saab in year 2000. Too bad it was killed off by GM.