Kia develops GDI engine

The engine is based on the new Theta II petrol family and the first to break cover will be a 2.4-litre four cylinder unit with a compression ratio of 11.3:1 that delivers 201hp (150kW) at 6300rpm. In its initial Korean domestic market specification it creates 250Nm of torque at 4250rpm.

Kia says the new engine overcomes the limitations of conventional fuel injections systems where the valve opening and closing times get progressively shorter, reducing the time available to inject fuel, as engine revs increase. It does this by positioning the fuel injector inside the combustion chamber, with the fuel injected in two phases, thus delivering a more precise burn phase.

Kia vehicles fitted with a GDI engine are expected to deliver 10% better fuel economy over conventional multi-point fuel injection technology.

Kia has invested more than NZ$225million over two years to develop the engine, which will make its Korean debut in the first half of 2010.

New Zealand can expect to see the first Kia vehicles powered by GDI technology in 2011.