Infiniti, Nissan’s upmarket division, will present VC-T (Variable Compression-Turbocharged), the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine and one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever, at the 2016 Paris Motor Show in September.
More than 20 years in development, Infiniti’s radical new 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol VC-T engine represents a major breakthrough in internal-combustion powertrain technology.
VC-T signifies a new chapter in the story of internal combustion – engines are no longer limited by a fixed compression ratio. The ingenuity of VC-T engine technology lies in its ability to transform itself and seamlessly raise or lower the height the pistons reach.
As a consequence, the displacement of the engine changes and the compression ratio can vary anywhere between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency). The sophisticated engine control logic automatically applies the optimum ratio, depending on what the driving situation demands.
VC-T technology delivers multiple customer benefits that include significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions, greatly reduced noise and much lower vibration levels. The VC-T engine is also lighter and more compact than comparable conventional engines.
Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company, said, “VC-T technology is a step change for Infiniti. It is a revolutionary next-step in optimising the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. This technological breakthrough delivers the power of a high-performance 2-litre turbo gasoline engine with a high level of efficiency at the same time.”
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