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Infiniti's new QX50 blends exciting engine tech with a big redesign
When Infiniti announced that the QX50's turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine would have variable compression, my first two thoughts were "wow that's incredible" and "I can't wait to see how this works in a hybrid." The QX50 is not a hybrid, but what the automaker has accomplished is amazing. But it still needs a little fine-tuning if you're expecting a huge increase in fuel economy.
Infiniti's latest engine is a last hurrah for gas-powered cars
Hybrid and pure electric cars may be the future of transportation, but Nissan's Infiniti badge has found a way to make the most out of gas engines while they're still relevant. When the next-generation QX50 crossover arrives in 2017, it'll carry the first-ever production variable compression turbo (VC-T) engine -- a technology that promises to dramatically improve fuel efficiency without compromising on performance. By automatically adjusting the height the engine's pistons reach, the VC-T motor can optimize its compression ratio for the task at hand. It'll lower the ratio if you're mashing the throttle (to prevent premature detonation and make the most of the turbo), but raise it when you're putting around town and need to wring out better mileage.
