Infinity, the luxury vehicle division of Nissan, has taken the wraps off their all-new QX50 ahead of its LA debut. The mid-size crossover debuts the revolutionary VC-Turbo - the world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine.
The VC-Turbo is a 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine which, according to the carmaker, gives the same torque and efficiency of a four-cylinder diesel engine. ‘A breakthrough in combustion engine design’ aims to change the notion that only hybrid and diesel powertrains can deliver high torque and efficiency.
A multi-link system continuously raises or lowers the pistons' reach to transform the compression ratio. The higher compression ratios aid efficiency, while the lower ratios enhance power and torque. The VC-Turbo is capable of offering any compression ratio between 8:1 (for performance) and 14:1 (for efficiency). The engine produces 265bhp of power and 380Nm of turning force. Fuel efficiency is claimed to be 27mpg (U.S. combined for front-wheel drive; 26 mpg all-wheel drive). This is equivalent to around 11kmpl. The front-wheel-drive models offer a 35 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the previous V6 gasoline QX50 whereas the all-wheel-drive models offer a 30 per cent improvement. The engine is paired with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The five-seater can do a 0-100kmph run in 6.3 seconds and go all the way to a top speed of 230kmph.
The new QX50 is built ground-up on an all-new platform. The new platform employs the first automotive use of SHF (Super High Formability) 980 MPa high-tensile steel. This material is lightweight, has a high tensile strength and can be moulded into unprecedented shapes. It also lends the new QX50 23 per cent more torsional rigidity than the current car.
The crossover comes laden with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist technologies. The new QX50 measures 1,679mm in height and stretches out to 4,693mm in length. Boot space has now increased to 895 litres which can be extended to 1048 litres with seats folded down. Appearance wise, the new QX50 now gets the bigger sibling, the QX80’s headlamp designs while the overall styling remains modern in the Infinity line-up.
The QX50 will make its public debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Motor Show on 30 November. It will go up against its direct rivals like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.
