Infiniti’s New VC-Turbo Engine is Officially an Award Winner

The INFINITI VC-Turbo (Credit: © Infiniti)

Infiniti has lagged a bit in drivetrain technology for some time now, but it’s starting to get its footing in this all-important part of the automotive world. Recently, we saw the arrival of forced-induction four-cylinder and V-6 engines that produce gobs of power. And in the future, we’ll see a new type of engine in the VC-Turbo… or should I say the award-winning VC-Turbo.

You read that right, this engine that’s been in development for two decades just pulled in its first award. Granted, this is no massive award, but it is a great start for the Japanese automaker. The award is the Grand Austrian Automobile Award in “Environment” from the Automobile, Motor and Bicycle Association of Austria.

Again, this is no massive award, but it is huge news that this award, which is typically reserved for hybrid or electric powertrains, went to an internal-combustion engine.

The VC-Turbo is super-unique with its variable compression system that can run anywhere from a boost-ready 8-to-1 compression ratio to a fuel-sipping 14-to-1, depending on the needs of the driver. It’s thanks to this system that the 2.0-liter four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine cranks out a whopping 268 horsepower and 390 Nm (288 pound0feet of torque) while still getting 27 percent better fuel economy than similarly powerful V-6 engines.

Infiniti expects to start dropping this potent and thrifty four-cylinder into its cars and crossovers in 2018. Stay tuned for updates.