2018 Infiniti QX50 revealed with variable compression ratio engine

The new luxury SUV houses first of its kind engine technology that could heavily influence internal combustion engines of the future.  

Back in August 2016, Infiniti showcased the world’s first petrol engine with variable compression ratio technology, dubbed VC-Turbo. Now, the Nissan-owned luxury carmaker has revealed the 2018 QX50 SUV - the first vehicle to house this new motor under its bonnet.

The Infiniti QX50 is a medium-sized luxury SUV that competes with likes of BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60 in the North American market. This second-generation QX50 was revealed digitally through a single image that you see above. The car will have its dynamic debut at the LA Motor Show, 2017.

The production QX50 draws heavily from the QX50 concept that Infiniti showcased earlier in 2017. It sports Infiniti’s family face with a bold chrome-surround rectangular grille, a big front badge and stretched back headlamps. Infiniti claims that the body of the latest-gen QX50 is 6 per cent more aerodynamically efficient than the outgoing model.

However, the real party trick here is the revolutionary VC-Turbo engine, which is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-petrol unit that can adjust its compression ratio from 8:1 to 14:1. It happens using a clever actuator arm that links to a control shaft. This, paired with the standard turbocharging, has dual advantages – at high compression it allows the engine to run more efficiently, while at lower compression it has increased performance over a standard engine. As a result of which, according to Infiniti, it provides significant improvements in the fuel efficiency of the engine.

More details and images of the 2018 QX50 will be unveiled next month, as the LA Motor Show is scheduled to happen between December 1 - 10, 2017. Nissan has no plans to bring the Infiniti brand to India. However, the VC-Turbo technology can eventually find its way to the entire Nissan range worldwide - if it proves to be reliable on the new QX50, that is.