ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Saab Variable Compression engine

Have you ever played with a spring toy that you can squash and stretch? Imagine if a car engine could do that, too!

A Saab variable compression engine allows the car's engine to change its "squashiness" depending on how much power is needed. Just like you might pull a spring toy apart to make it go faster, this engine can change the amount of pressure inside the engine to make the car go faster or slower.

And just like how a squishy toy can feel different when you squish it versus when you stretch it, a variable compression engine can change how efficient the car is, too. When the engine "squashes" itself more, it can make more power but use more fuel. When it stretches itself out more, it can be more efficient but not as powerful.

So, a Saab variable compression engine is like a magic engine that can adjust itself to make the car go fast or slow, while also being efficient with fuel.