Saturday 12th March 2016

Why Infiniti's new V6 matters

Details confirmed for Q60 coupe's new 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 - here's why we're excited

---

On the face of it a press release detailing a new powerplant isn't, in isolation, anything to get massively excited about. But to see a mainstream company like Infiniti parent Nissan investing in a whole new generation of (relatively) large capacity V-engines with more than four cylinders, a couple of turbos and built for rear-wheel drive platforms does at least offer hope for those fearing the march of downsizing, diesels and hybridisation.

Long live the V6!

Built in Japan and, for now at least, exclusively for Infiniti models (specifically the Q50 and related Q60 coupe) the engine is designated VR30, displaces 2,997cc and has a 'square' 86mm bore and stroke. Where it gets a little fancier is with electronic wastegate control for the two turbos, variable valve timing (electrically operated on intake), an integrated cylinder head and exhaust manifold and direct fuel injection. It'll be offered in 300hp and 400hp versions with 295lb ft and 350lb ft respectively, the latter using an additional water pump for the intercooler circuit and an 'optical' turbine speed sensor that permits higher turbine speeds of 240,000rpm in transient conditions over the 220,000rpm steady state limit. Apparently this alone is worth nearly a third more power than the standard version. For the full geek-out there's a very detailed run-through of the engine's features on the Infiniti website.  

Engines of this size and power range are going to be a key battleground for the premium marques in coming years, demonstrated by Mercedes throwing its weight behind a new range of '43 sub-AMG models using an equivalent 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 367hp and 383lb ft. BMW looks to be sticking with the TwinPower straight-sixes based on its modular engine design, as seen in the 340i and others and rated at 326hp and 332lb ft. Audi's UK range is TDI dominated still but it does have an equivalent 3.0-litre supercharged V6 with 333hp and 324lb ft in the A7 while Jaguar's supercharged 3.0-litre V6 as featured in the XE S, F-Pace and XF runs 340hp and 332lb ft.

Does a new engine mean there's hope for this?

So, all is not lost for relatively big and decently powerful petrol engines with more than four cylinders. Phew. For Infiniti you have to see further opportunities too; if there's headroom for 450hp or more then it has a powerplant suitable for building M3 and M4-chasing variants of the Q50 and Q60, a long-stated aim teased by the GT-R engined Q50 Eau Rouge concept. Given how jealously Nissan guards the VR38DETT engine a souped up VR30 would seem more likely for that role.

For Nissan generally it also offers a successor to the long-lived VQ-range of V6s that have powered the 350Z and 370Z. It may be a way off but having a twin-turbo V6 with this kind of power opens up the options for building a new generation of rear-driven Z cars with the firepower to chase the Boxster, Cayman and Toyota-powered Lotus Evoras. By sticking with six cylinders as Porsche downsizes to four there's an opportunity there to mop up customers not convinced by smaller engines. Nissan has been here before of course - the 300ZX was also a twin-turbo V6 - so there is a precedent to draw on.

Plenty of reasons to be cheerful, in short!

[Sources: InfinitiQ60News.com]

 

[Crusoe]

Engine getting good reviews in the states and seems perfect for a 400Z

[Gez79]

Glad to see that rumours of the death of the v6 have been greatly exaggerated!

But isn't the 3.0tfsi in the Audi A7 actually the supercharged engine from the Audi S4?

[Hugh Jarse]

Sometimes I find it difficult to figuratively understand engineering.
"permits higher turbine speeds of 240,000rpm in transient conditions over the 220,000rpm steady state limit", that is 4000 revs per second.
I can visualise/conceptualise one tenth of a second. In that time it has spun 400 times! ....amazed/baffled/headache

[daemon]

Crusoe said:

Engine getting good reviews in the states and seems perfect for a 400Z

Technically it would be a 300Z as the moniker refers to the engine size rounded to the nearest 100cc / 10

Either way, i wont fall out with them over its name if they make it

[scarble]

Electronically controlled intake VVT?
Aren't they all electrionically controlled?
Maybe you mean driven?
Pedantry matters.

[Quickmoose]

Good engine news aside.
Sad to see Nissan/Infiniti sticking with 'ugly' as a design direction...

[M Powered]

Jag V6 is 380PS in XF

[Dan Trent]

scarble said:

Electronically controlled intake VVT?
Aren't they all electrionically controlled?
Maybe you mean driven?
Pedantry matters.

Tsk, you're right, it does matter. Will correct!

Dan

[Matt Bird]

M Powered said:

Jag V6 is 380PS in XF

But it's 340hp in the XE! Same engine offered in two power outputs so I guess everyone's right?

[Matt Bird]

Hi all,

Apologies for the errors, our nerdy senses are clearly not quite tingling as usual today. They should all be addressed now, though please point out any subsequent ones if they emerge


Matt

[skyrover]

Gez79 said:

Glad to see that rumours of the death of the v6 have been greatly exaggerated!

The world is a lot larger than the EU and UK.

V6 and V8 engines will be around for a long time to come.

[unsprung]

skyrover said:

The world is a lot larger than the EU and UK.

This.

Although the UK is a taste maker in some regards, it is -- as every market -- continuously subject to the plate tectonics of the global marketplace. This PH article is an illuminating bit of macroeconomic thinking.

[unsprung]

Regarding the electrically-driven intake valves, you can see this in action, courtesy of an animated picture, at this link here.

See the electric motors change colour to indicate how they instantly provide motive force.

Note that the two electric motors merely assist the cam-driven mechanical valvetrain. I mention this because, when I first heard of this engine, I wondered if Infiniti had introduced a solenoid-driven (ie: no camshaft) valvetrain. Futurism and all that. But alas.

There are also a number of other animated visuals at the preceding link, showing other bits of this engine in operation.

[Guvernator]

Any news on what the rev limit is and some torque curves to go with it? This will determine whether this car will actually have an exciting power delivery or feel like every other modern turbo, i.e. dull.

[WarboyRB]

This VR30DET in a next Z, RWD, with manual gearbox - purists all around the world rejoice. C'mon Nissan, for get this dual clutch nonsense.

[2fast748]

unsprung said:

Regarding the electrically-driven intake valves, you can see this in action, courtesy of an animated picture, at this link here.

See the electric motors change colour to indicate how they instantly provide motive force.

Note that the two electric motors merely assist the cam-driven mechanical valvetrain. I mention this because, when I first heard of this engine, I wondered if Infiniti had introduced a solenoid-driven (ie: no camshaft) valvetrain. Futurism and all that. But alas.

There are also a number of other animated visuals at the preceding link, showing other bits of this engine in operation.

Nissan haven't created a great engine they've broken the laws of physics: Limitless acceleration and endless power? It's a perpetual motion machine!

[unsprung]

2fast748 said:

unsprung said:

Regarding the electrically-driven intake valves, you can see this in action, courtesy of an animated picture, at this link here.

See the electric motors change colour to indicate how they instantly provide motive force.

Note that the two electric motors merely assist the cam-driven mechanical valvetrain. I mention this because, when I first heard of this engine, I wondered if Infiniti had introduced a solenoid-driven (ie: no camshaft) valvetrain. Futurism and all that. But alas.

There are also a number of other animated visuals at the preceding link, showing other bits of this engine in operation.

Nissan haven't created a great engine they've broken the laws of physics: Limitless acceleration and endless power? It's a perpetual motion machine!

Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads...

[TooMany2cvs]

unsprung said:

Regarding the electrically-driven intake valves, you can see this in action, courtesy of an animated picture, at this link here.

That's no mere "animated picture". That's a cinemagraph...

FFS.

I also notice, from one of the other cinemagraphs animations, that they've reinvented water-air intercooling.

[V8RX7]

Dan said:

By sticking with six cylinders as Porsche downsizes to four there's an opportunity there to mop up customers not convinced by smaller engines

I wish this was true, if only cars were valued for their merits rather than the badge.

[scarble]

unsprung said:

Regarding the electrically-driven intake valves, you can see this in action, courtesy of an animated picture, at this link here.

See the electric motors change colour to indicate how they instantly provide motive force.

Note that the two electric motors merely assist the cam-driven mechanical valvetrain. I mention this because, when I first heard of this engine, I wondered if Infiniti had introduced a solenoid-driven (ie: no camshaft) valvetrain. Futurism and all that. But alas.

There are also a number of other animated visuals at the preceding link, showing other bits of this engine in operation.

Neato!

So it's gonna have a turbo speed sensor too?
and this electric valve thing will no doubt give improved throttle response which is pretty cool no?
Little bit pseudo-science where they claim colder air is more oxygen rich
Nevermind "Acceleration is limitless".