Hyundai has launched its first direct-injection petrol engine — a 2.4 Theta II GDI engine — in Korea. Before the carmaker applies the engine to other models, it will be used initially in the company’s new Sonata in 2010 (believed to be named i40 in Europe). Research and development, which lasts 46 months, has already cost Hyundai a total of 170 billion Korean won. Read more after the jump!

The engine is claimed to raise power output, improve fuel economy, and lower emissions too. Lee Hyun-Soon, the firm’s chief technology officer, said that the Theta II GDI proves Hyundai’s advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.

The engine generates 198bhp at 6300rpm and has a compression ratio of 11:3:1. The split-injection system used reduces emissions from cold starts by 25% due to its mechanism that allows the catalytic convertor to attain its optimum working temperature faster.

The Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) also boosts power and lower emissions. Hyundai has not given word when the engine would be made available in the UK.

Tags: car news, Hyundai, hyundai direct injection engine, hyundai news, hyundaidirectinjectionengine

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