Infiniti QX50 Revealed With World's First Variable Compression Ratio Petrol Engine

Japanese carmaker Infiniti has revealed the QX50, the first car with a variable compression ratio petrol engine ahead of its debut at the LA Auto Show.

Japanese carmaker Infiniti has revealed the QX50, the first car with a variable compression ratio petrol engine ahead of its debut at the LA Auto Show next week.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

The biggest talking point about the new QX50 is its engine. The QX50 uses a turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with variable compression ratio which makes it the first petrol engine in the world to feature the technology.

So How Does Infiniti's Variable Compression Petrol Engine Work?

The engine dubbed VC-Turbo by Infiniti adjusts its compression ratio continuously between 8:1 (for increased performance) and 14:1 (which ups the efficiency). This is done with the use of a multi-link system which continuously raises or lowers the reach of the pistons to transform the compression ratio.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

In performance mode (8:1 compression) the engine displaces 1,997cc and has 84mm bore and 90.1mm long stroke while in efficiency mode (12:1 compression) the stroke length drops to 88.9mm and the displacement also reduces to 1,970cc.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

The turbocharged 2.0-litre variable compression ratio petrol engine produces 268bhp @ 5,600rpm and 380 Nm of torque @ 4,400rpm all of which is sent to either the front or all four wheels of the SUV via a CVT automatic gearbox. The Infiniti QX50 accelerates from 0-60mph (96.5kph) in 6.3 seconds and continues sprinting till it tops out at 230kph.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

The new Infiniti QX50 is 4,693mm long, 1,903mm wide and 1,679mm tall. The QX50 wheelbase is 2,800mm long and the SUV has a ground clearance of 218mm.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

Infiniti's image of the new QX50 (the first image in this story) shows of the front-end of the car and in terms of design, the production-spec features a more refined take on the concept's design with larger headlamps and grille. The sides remain mostly the same with the concept's alloy wheels being retained though the roofline doesn't seem to be as sharply raked as on the concept.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

The new Infiniti QX50 will go on sale in the US and Europe in 2018 where it will compete with the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLE.

Infiniti QX50 Revealed Ahead of LA Auto Show

DriveSpark Thinks!
The all-new Infiniti QX50's biggest plus point is its engine which brings variable compression ratio to petrol engines for the very first time.

The engine delivers more power when needed but also delivers better fuel efficiency if the driver wants to save fuel without the need for shutting down cylinders.

Frankly, the engine is the best of both worlds and is something we hope Nissan (Infiniti's parent company) brings to India.

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Article Published On: Friday, November 24, 2017, 15:30 [IST]
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