Infiniti QX50 and its mechanical features

Since its refresh for the 2019 model year, the Infiniti QX50 has captivated you with its design, stylish interior and cutting-edge technologies. Unfortunately, it did not have the expected success in the North American market – some call it nothing less than a failure.

Either way, if you’re considering a used Infiniti QX50, you should familiarize yourself with its specific mechanics first.

Billed as the world’s first commercially available compression engine, the VC-Turbo (VC for Variable Compression) engine under the hood of the QX50 was the subject of a lengthy development process that resulted in the filing of some 300 patents. This design promises to combine the performance of a turbocharged engine with the efficiency of a diesel.

Unlike a conventional gasoline engine in which the compression ratio remains fixed, the VC-Turbo engine becomes variable thanks to a system of multiple connecting rods that allows the piston stroke to be adjusted in real time over a range of six millimeters. So this engine works with a compression ratio that varies between 8:1 (to improve performance) and 14:1 (to improve energy efficiency).

On the road, the VC-Turbo works like all other turbocharged engines and you have to check the gauge that shows the compression ratio in real time to be informed about what is happening inside on the mechanical side.

Displayed between two dials on the instrument cluster when this function is selected, the scale changes from “power”, showing performance with a compression ratio of 8:1 during hard acceleration, then “economy” with a ratio of 14:1 at . speed of travel. Without the changes shown on the scales that remind us of the technical innovations developed by Infiniti, we can believe that there is a wheel of a car with a conventional gasoline engine.

In fact, power is 268 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 foot-pounds is available between 1,600 and 4,800 rpm. Better to warn yourself: the engine is rather noisy under hard acceleration.

One reason for this is the continuous automatic transmission that comes with it and which does not feel much, despite the fact that the eight gears are “programmed” in its working mode, causing a delay between opening the throttle and delivering torque to the car. wheels. Still not fun, this lag that often plagues CVT gearboxes dampens the QX50’s driving pleasure.

Finally, regarding fuel consumption, official estimates have increased over the years, from an average of 9 L/100 km in 2019 to 9.7 L/100 km in 2022. Why? It is not clear. Please note, however, that premium gasoline is recommended, even essential, for optimal performance and good long-term health of the VC-Turbo engine.

Try to know better!