Infiniti Looks to Revolutionize the Internal Combustion Engine

Yes, the internal combustion engine (ICE) is on borrowed time as automakers are working tirelessly on new technology. For now, the likely replacement seems to be plug-in electric powertrains, but hydrogen and other fuels are on the table, too. Recently, Infiniti unveiled its 20-years-in-the-making engine that will help bridge the gap between current ICEs and future powerplants.

This 2-liter four-cylinder engine, known as the Variable-Compression Turbocharged unit, takes everything we know about engine compression and turns it upside-down. As it stands now, engines can have variable valve timing, variable ignition, and fuel systems that vary pressure, as needed. But never before has a production engine varied its compression—until now.

This engine will be able to vary its compression from 8-to-1 to 14-to-1, depending on the scenario and driving conditions. The 8-to-1 rating is tuned for performance, as the engine can handle added boost and stress at this lower pressure. The 14-to-1 ratio is best suited for efficiency and clean operation.

How the engine actually tweaks its compression ratio remains unknown, but Infiniti did mention that part of the process involves increasing and reducing the reach of the pistons in the cylinders. The other shapeshifting that takes place inside this engine will likely be announced on September 29th at the Paris Motor Show.

Though this engine is likely a few years off, there are plenty of great deals on Infiniti models that make them quite desirable. One of the best deals is the 39-month lease deal on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 2.0t that runs $279 per month with $3,999 due at signing. In addition to this great deal, the 2016 Q50 also has impressive manufacturer-to-dealer incentives and 0 percent APR for up to 36 months.