INFINITI VC-T: The world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine

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HONG KONG – INFINITI 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 created, on September 29 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Automobile).

More than 20 years in development, INFINITI's new four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline VC-T engine represents a major breakthrough in internal-combustion powertrain technology.

"VC-T technology is a step change for INFINITI," said Roland Krueger, president of INFINITI Motor Company. "It is a revolutionary next-step in optimizing the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. This technological breakthrough delivers the power of a high-performance 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with a high level of efficiency at the same time."

VC-T technology signifies a new chapter in the story of the internal combustion engine – 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 including significantly reduced fuel consumption and emissions, greatly reduced noise and vibration levels; it is also lighter and more compact than comparable conventional engines.

More information on the world-first VC-T engine will be presented by INFINITI at Mondial de l'Automobile on September 29, with the company's press conference taking place at 12:30 p.m. local time.

INFINITI VC-T: The world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine

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Hm.. the concept is indeed a great idea. However, that is a lot of moving parts: I'm thinking of the reliability aspect of such an engine.

This is always a concern wth new technology, but as soon as it starts to catch on, and manufacturers start to really apply it, the reliability quickly reaches a point to where the pro's outweigh the cons, or in other words the minimal tradeoff of reliability is greatly offset by the gains in performance and economy.

Case and point:
-Things like Variable Valve Timing
-Start-stop technology (which I maintain is annoying but they have gotten much better at it)
-turbo charged engines (almost a standard in cars now)
 
This is always a concern wth new technology, but as soon as it starts to catch on, and manufacturers start to really apply it, the reliability quickly reaches a point to where the pro's outweigh the cons, or in other words the minimal tradeoff of reliability is greatly offset by the gains in performance and economy.

Case and point:
-Things like Variable Valve Timing
-Start-stop technology (which I maintain is annoying but they have gotten much better at it)
-turbo charged engines (almost a standard in cars now)

I think this is the dumbest thing they invented so far. I hope it can be turned off on all cars, since I know I will have to buy one like it one day because most manufacturers are going in that direction.
 
This is always a concern wth new technology, but as soon as it starts to catch on, and manufacturers start to really apply it, the reliability quickly reaches a point to where the pro's outweigh the cons, or in other words the minimal tradeoff of reliability is greatly offset by the gains in performance and economy.

Case and point:
-Things like Variable Valve Timing
-Start-stop technology (which I maintain is annoying but they have gotten much better at it)
-turbo charged engines (almost a standard in cars now)

I totally agree with you.
What is troubling for me is being an early adopter of new technology. It takes many years to refine something to an acceptable consumer tolerance.
Start-stop technology is extremely annoying if you're a spirited driver; however, the fuel economy factor in an urban environment is too good to pass up. It's growing on me I guess...
 
Electric is the future. The engine landscape is going to change durastically within the next 10 year in favor of electric drivetrains. Gas powered won't be completely replaced, but I have a feeling that the resale value of my V8 is going to diminish much faster than I would like to anticipate.
 
Electric is the future. The engine landscape is going to change durastically within the next 10 year in favor of electric drivetrains. Gas powered won't be completely replaced, but I have a feeling that the resale value of my V8 is going to diminish much faster than I would like to anticipate.
I have read somewhere that lots of euro countries are working towards completely getting rid of gas engine cars in the next 15-20 years. Some have plans to do it within 10 years. As technology gets more and more advanced, this is the next logical step really.
 
Electric is the future. The engine landscape is going to change durastically within the next 10 year in favor of electric drivetrains. Gas powered won't be completely replaced, but I have a feeling that the resale value of my V8 is going to diminish much faster than I would like to anticipate.

2017-Ford-F-150-EcoBoost.jpg
When I rented this ^^ truck and found out it was a 2.7L ...I felt a disturbance in the force.
 

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^^ Apparently lots of trucks pump out engine noises to make it sound mean now...

I didn't think it'd get to that on trucks (this has been in cars for a long time)
 
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