Infiniti Introduces First Production-Ready Variable Compression Engine

INFINITI’s VC-Turbo S.U.V.: A Revolution in Efficiency This year, INFINITI paves the way for innovation in the car industry with a new, production-ready engine with a variable compression ratio in its combustion chambers even while the vehicle is in motion. more This is important because the relationship between the largest and smallest volume in a cylinder- ie compressions- during the piston stroke determines both the fuel efficiency and power of internal-combustion engines. Lower compression ratios are desirable for efficiency and more Eco-friendly operation. Higher ratios are what you want when performance is what you crave. Why is Variable Compression Ratio Important? Experts are calling INFINITI’s accomplishment in the VC-Turbo a significant advance in the way automobile engines are made, and function. The ability of an engine to render variable compression ratios has long been looked on as a kind of holy grail for engineers for at least the last 50 years in the automobile industry. The “VC” in its name stands for “variable compression.” In today’s standard fixed-compression engines the ratios most commonly achieved fall into the range of 8:1 to 14:1. While these ordinary power plants may reach ratios as low as 6:1 in economy vehicles, and as high as 17:1 in power hungry muscle cars, no other type of internal combustion engine has the range that the VC-Turbo has- making it a serious achievement. Up until now, automobile designers have always had to decide what type of performance they wanted to achieve. They then designed the vehicle around the constraints of that ratio. That’s why some vehicles are merely about-town putters, and some are strictly performance cars. What Makes Our Variable Compression Engine So Efficient? VC-Turbo technology is designed with multi-link, articulating parts that facilitate operation at different compression ratios, depending on driver demand. In the INFINITI engine, ratios from 8:1 to 14:1 are all accessible, giving its engine management system the ability to hit optimal range at all times. Besides its performance range, the VC-Turbo also fits into smaller engine sizes- as small as two liters, but it turns out power equal to INFINITI’s much-larger 3.5-liter V6. Being smaller means it also saves weight. The 2.0 turbo is 55 pounds lighter than the INFINITI V6. That is the kind of improvements that have always been the stuff of auto engineer’s dreams, as advances in a vehicle’s weight are measured in right down to the ounce. According to INFINITI, the little 2.0-liter turbo produces 288 foot-pounds of torque and 268hp and is 27% more fuel efficient than a V-6 of similar output. That is the equivalent of an engine that gets 40 mpg being upgraded to 62 mpg. That kind of efficiency is equal to a comparable four-cylinder diesel engine, with extremely low emissions, according to the manufacturer- which is surprising, to say the least- particularly when compared to soot-belching diesels. If you think all this is impressive, consider that this technology is completely scalable, meaning it could be incorporated into other engine design types. Available Soon at Sawgrass INFINITI INFINITI hasn’t released the pricing for the QX Sport with VC-Turbo, but the S.U.V. the company sells now, wherein the 3.5-liter V6 comes standard has a base price of $42,600.

The New York Auto Show is an annual event that catches the attention of car lovers around the world. The show always debuts the hottest new models and introduces jaw-dropping concept cars that leave the masses eagerly looking forward to the future of automobiles. The 2016 show, which occurred in March, was no exception to the rule. Among the many highlights of this year's show was the debut of the 2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited. This sleek crossover has long been a prized possession of Infiniti fans, and the 2017 edition adds even more prestige to the model's undeniable appeal. more Little Touches Make a Big Difference When you compare the 2016 and the 2017 models side by side, you won't be taken aback by any startling stylist changes. The differences are subtle, but you'll appreciate them for how they take the car's elegance and appeal to new heights. Exterior Changes The 2017 edition boasts efficient LED daytime running lights, which are an upgrade over the fog lights that adorned previous models. Even if you live in a climate that gets a lot of glum weather, these daytime running lights will help keep you safe when you're cruising the town in one of the most impressive vehicles around. Another exterior difference is the dark accents. These bold touches will contrast nicely against whatever paint color you choose. Sometimes, wheels can be the difference between an ordinary car and an amazing one. The unique 21-inch wheels on the QX70 Limited are eye-catching enough to satisfy event the pickiest pair of eyes. Interior Changes The QX70's opulence easily transitions from the exterior to the interior. Imagine yourself settling into deep quilted seats that feature beautiful contrasting trim. Open pore wood trim takes the stylistic allure up another notch. The interior's subtle improvements even extend to an area of the car that you normally wouldn't pay much attention to: the pedals. The 2017 model's pedals have aluminum trim. Just don't admire them too much while you're driving. Don't Fix What Isn't Broken If you own an Infiniti, or even if you've test-driven Infiniti models before, you know that this line of vehicles offers awesome performance and a fun experience behind the wheel. The 2017 QX70 Limited has the same powertrain as previous models, which means it will retain the same sporty driving performance that will make you forget you're driving a crossover in the city and make you think you're on the race track instead. The 3.7-liter V6 engine delivers 325 horsepower and is sure to get you through anything you put it throught from light tows to merging on and off of the expressway. While not a lot of details about the 2017 have been released, it is reasonable to expect that it will have other things in common with previous editions. One of the favorite features of the 2016 model is its easy-to-use technology interface that makes it easy to manage your media. Also expect to see top-notch safety features like cameras, lane departure warnings, and a forward collision mitigation system. Of course, not all QX70 packages will offer the same set of features, so you'll have to talk to your dealer to find a car that fits your personality and your family's needs. Get Your Hands on the QX70 Limited The 2017 QX70 Limited won't make its way into Infiniti dealerships until this summer, so you have a few months to wait before you can get behind the wheel of this beautiful machine. However feel free to come by today to get some more information about the new Infiniti QX70 and to set up a test drive! When the 2017 model goes on sale, you can expect to get a great deal on any 2016 Infiniti that your local dealer still has in stock. Whichever model you choose, you can rest assured that you'll love your latest purchase. While the price of the 2017 isn't yet known, it is likely to fall in the same ballpark as the price for the 2016, which has an MSRP of $56,320. Whether you live in the heart of Tamarac, on the outskirts of Miami, or anywhere else in Florida, driving a 2017 Infiniti QX70 Limited will give you added status — and you'll take any excuse you can get to climb behind the wheel of your new set of wheels. Sawgrass Infiniti will be happy to help you settle on the vehicle that is exactly right for you and your family.

With March Madness already kicking into high gear, Infiniti is expecting to see a boost in business thanks to its role as a major sponsor this year. Brands like Infiniti and Buick have placed major bets on the tournament, using the publicity to showcase the latest models. more What is March Madness? March Madness is a springtime phenomenon that grips every sports fan's attention from the second week of March through the early days of April. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is the highlight of all that fervor, but the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament is also included. It is during these tournaments that the national college basketball championships are crowned. Abuout the NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a nonprofit association that regulates college athletes and organizes athletic programs. Most of the NCAA's revenue comes from the Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The NCAA, in turn, distributes that revenue back into various institutions and organizations throughout the country to support current and future athletes. Included in the NCAA are more than 1,100 colleges and universities that put academics first. NCAA athletes can pursue higher academic goals and carve out new opportunities by competing in NCAA championships. Some of them even go on to play professionally. March Madness Sponsors Sponsoring March Madness is a highly coveted position among sportswear and automotive companies, and Infiniti has managed to sponsor the event for several years now. Being a sponsor ensures prominent product placement, so there are billions of dollars at stake. For 2016, Infiniti is sponsoring the NCAA March Madness Android app, which allows you to watch every game line and choose your top picks for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. This app even lets you experience March Madness with your friends, making it one of the most popular app downloads dedicated to this event. In addition to sponsoring the Android app, Infiniti (along with Buick) is an NCAA Corporate Partner. Being a Corporate Partner means being dedicated to promotional activities and marketing surrounding the NCAA championships. By being a Corporate Partner, Infiniti has been able to make a direct, positive impact on developmental and academic opportunities offered to NCAA student athletes. More than merely promoting a brand, it's about giving back and supporting these talented athletes. The 2016 Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge One notable way Infiniti is helping give back during March Madness is through the Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge. Fans vote on their favorite coach remaining in the competition -- at the time of this writing, those coaches are Matt Painter of Purdue University, John Beilein of the University of Michigan, Brad Underwood of Stephen F. Austin State University, and Thad Matta of Ohio State University -- and the winning coach will receive $100,000 to put toward his chosen charity. Each of the non-winning finalists will receive $15,000 to donate to the cause of their choice. What's more, each coach will get at least $1,000 to put toward his favorite cause. In total, Infiniti is giving away more than $345,000 for charity. Without having the prestige of being one of March Madness's Corporate Partners, not to mention the fervent fans voting in the competition, this type of charity work wouldn't be possible. A Rising Viewership Thanks to Mobile Apps Since Infiniti first became the official sponsor of the March Madness Live Android app in 2012, there has been a significant rise in March Madness viewership. In 2015, the app had a record-breaking 80.7 million streams, which could be broken down into 17.8 million viewing hours. For NCAA fans that would have normally missed a game, this has been a huge technological break. In addition to live streams, Infiniti has been engaging consumers through television spots, fan activities, and social media campaigns to gear them up for the tournament. During the 2015 March Madness, Infiniti's efforts paid off, as the brand saw a surge in Infiniti-related searches and social media mentions during the championship. In fact, during the 2015 event, InfinitiUSA.com saw a 300 percent increase in visitors. Unlike a one-time event, such as the Super Bowl, being a March Madness Corporate Partner means enjoying prolonged exposure that has the added benefit of reaching out to affluent and highly educated audience members who might just be in the market for a new Infiniti model like the QX50 or Q30. Last year, Infiniti advertising reached 61.7 million people. March Madness and Infiniti have a valuable relationship. Keep an eye out for the latest Infiniti mentions during this year's exciting tournament.