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BMW has VANOS; Toyota uses VVTi; for Honda it's VTEC. Now Nissan has thrown a new acronym into the automotive vernacular – Variable Valve Event and Lift, or VVEL for short - an engine induction control system that promises to cut carbon emissions, save fuel, and improve performance.

Like the other systems mentioned, this is a sophisticated valve control system that manages the amount of air that enters any one of the engine's cylinders by tailoring the movements of their intake valves.

At low and medium crank speeds, VVEL keeps valve lift low to reduce camshaft friction and prevent the air and fuel mixture blowing back out of the open valve; at faster engine speeds it does the opposite, allowing more air into the cylinders.

In tandem with Nissan's Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC) that facilitates cleaner, more efficient combustion and means less fuel is required for the same output of power. It also allows the engine to warm up more quickly on start-up, which activates the catalytic converter sooner and cuts CO2 emissions.

The first cars to feature VVEL will be Infiniti's G37 coupe, but Nissan's forthcoming 500bhp, Porsche Turbo-chasing GTR will also have it. Alongside direct fuel injection, the system will play a big part in meeting Nissan's commitment to make its petrol engines as carbon-friendly as conventional diesels by 2010.

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