From ABG:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04...-ratio-engine/
Quote:
Meet the MCE-5 VCR engine, coming at you from France. VCR stands for Variable Compression Rate, and its creators claim it will replace conventional Fixed Compression Rate engines. According to the press release (found after the jump), what is special about this engine is that it's based on a combination of rod-crank mechanism and long-life gears, integrating both power transmission and compression ratio control for each cylinder.
MCE claims that this allows ratios from 7:1 to 20:1, which adapts the engine for most usage requirements. Oh, and this reduces fuel consumption by 30 percent, as two other prototypes of VCR engines showed by Saab and Audi in 2000. MCE also claims the design is more durable and robust, and will have lower maintenance costs.
This engine has no impact on the rest of the components of a vehicle, so it's potentially installable in every sort of vehicle. MCE's current prototype offers 160 kW (218 HP) with a 1.5-liter engine.
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Sounds interesting, at least.