Infinity reveals production-ready VC-Turbo 2-litre

Nissan’s Infinity brand will exhibit its “compelling” production-ready new VC-Turbo (Variable Compression Turbo) engine technology next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

Infinity claims the VC-Turbo engine is the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. VC-Turbo technology combines the power of a high-performance 2-litre turbo gasoline engine with the torque and efficiency of an advanced diesel powertrain. Such an advanced powertrain would be perfectly suited to the packaging of the QX50

Infinity is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially selling vehicles on 8 November 1989 in North America.

According to Infinity, the production-ready 2-litre VC-Turbo engine represents a “compelling alternative” to diesel powertrains. Using an innovative multi-link system, the VC-Turbo engine is able to adapt its compression ratio according to driving conditions to deliver optimal levels of performance and efficiency.

By “seamlessly” raising or lowering the reach of the pistons, it instantly selects the most suitable compression for current driving conditions. The engine is able to offer any compression ratio between 8:1 (for high performance) and 14:1 (for high efficiency).

With a development target power output of 200 kW (268 bhp / 272 PS) and 390 Nm torque, the VC-Turbo engine will be comparable to certain six-cylinder gasoline powertrains for performance, while significantly outperforming them in efficiency.

Infiniti engineers are targeting a 27 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over V6 gasoline engines of similar power output.

Infinity says its VC-Turbo technology marks a significant leap forward for the internal combustion engine, joining other renowned powertrain innovations such as liquid-cooling, fuel injection, catalytic convertors, and turbocharging. The arrival of the VC-Turbo will establish new benchmarks – for power, efficiency and emissions – against which future powertrains will be measured.

Infinity Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong and has sales operations in over 50 countries. Its range of premium passenger cars is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the US, the UK (at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK in Sunderland)) and China. Infinity plans to also expand manufacturing into Mexico by 2017. Infinity design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.

                                                 Product offensive

Infinity is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. From the 2016 season, infinity is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula 1 team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.

Infiniti ended first quarter 2016 with strong sales numbers. In March the brand achieved an all-time high record by selling more than 24,900 vehicles globally, an increase of 22 per cent over March 2015. This marked the 19th consecutive month with global year-on-year growth.

In the first quarter, Infiniti sold over 57,200 vehicles, which surpasses the first quarter of 2015 by 9 per cent. It is the best ever first quarter in Infiniti's history.

March 2016 was also an all-time record month for Infiniti in Western Europe and Australia. In addition, it marked the best-ever March for other key regions, including the Americas and Asia & Oceania (A&O), as well as markets such as China, Canada, Mexico and Middle East.

In China, Infiniti achieved 27 consecutive months of growth. In March, Infiniti sold more than 3,800 vehicles, an increase of 14 per cent from March 2015. Year-to-date, Infiniti has sold more than 9,600 vehicles, a 22 per cent increase over the same period last year.

In Western Europe, Infiniti sold more than 3,900 vehicles during the month of March, a record month with an increase of 232 per cent. Year-to-date, the brand sold more than 6,000 vehicles, an increase of 192 per cent year over year.

In the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, and Latin America), Infiniti sold more than 15,100 vehicles in March, an increase of 10 per cent year over year. It was the best March for the region as well as for Canada and Mexico. The strong March almost completely offset a slight year-over-year drop in the first two months due to weather impact and model year change over. Overall, the first quarter was essentially on 2015 levels, with a slight decrease of 2 per cent.

In Asia and Oceania (Australia, Korea, Taiwan and other markets), Infiniti sold more than 600 vehicles, an increase of 20 per cent year over year. Australia had a record month with growth of 84 per cent. Year-to-date, sales in the A&O region have increased by one-third to almost 1,800 vehicles.

More recently, Infinity achieved its best November sales month and is on track for 2016 to be the best sales year in its history.  From January – November, Infinity set a new global record for sales in the first 11 months, with almost 204,000 vehicles sold, an increase of 6% compared to the same time last year. Infinity sold 215,000 vehicles in 2015.

Total November sales of over 20,000 were up 5 per cent versus November last year. November sales in Mexico were an all-time record of more than 222 vehicles, a 25 per cent increase from last year.

PROFITS JUMP. Meanwhile, Nissan experienced a 22 per cent jump in the profits of its U.K. arm despite a slight fall in sales to £5.2 billion from £5.3 billion the year before.

Nissan UK claimed stronger market performance of the Qashqai caused an uplift in production to create some 6,000 additional sales. The company claimed this gave 'another year of very strong production for the Sunderland site'.

The company added that the Qashqai had sold more volume cumulatively than any other car it manufactured.

However, overall production fell by 3,000 units to 478,000, reflecting some changes ahead of new models in 2017.

The results come just two months after the UK government intervened to ensure that despite the Brexit vote, Nissan would not be affected, as a result the Japan-based company said it would still invest in it Sunderland facility.

Notwithstanding this, Nissan declared it is still monitoring UK market conditions closely. The plant, which employs around 7,000, is one of the most efficient in the world, producing some 2,000 units a day.