Hyundai Launches New Version Of Sonata In Korea
Published:18-January-2010
By Staff Reporter
Hyundai Motor has launched new Sonata 2.4 GDI in the Korean market. This is the company's first Gasoline Direct Injection engine, equipped with 2.4 Theta II GDI.
The 2.4 Theta II GDI generates 201ps@6300rpm of horsepower and 25.5kgm@4250rpm of torque, while delivering fuel economy rating of 13km/l. The 13km/l figure is 0.2km/l better than smaller displacement 2.0-liter Theta II, which serves as base engine for Sonata.
According to Hyundai, it is the first non-luxury automaker to bring GDI to mid-size segment. The GDI has achieved three incompatible goals including, lower emissions while raising power output and improving fuel economy.
The company said that one limitation of conventional fuel injection is that as engine revolutions increase, the valve opening and closing times get shorter, thus reducing time available to inject fuel. GDI avoids this problem altogether by positioning fuel injector in optimal location, directly inside combustion chamber to offer unparalleled precision. With this direct path, greater control is attained over combustion process: a high pressure fuel pump injects fuel at pressures of up to 150 bar, in precise amounts and intervals.
GDI’s other features include improved dynamic performance and better gas mileage. GDI delivers 7% torque at low revolutions and 12% torque at high-end for better take-off and overtaking performance, compared to conventional vehicles.
Lee Hyun-Soon, vice chairman and CTO, said: “The Theta II GDI convincingly demonstrates Hyundai’s advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.”
In addition, the engine is mated to Hyundai’s new six-speed automatic. Representing the top-end of line, the new Sonata 2.4 GDI will retail from KRW 28.6m to KRW 29.9m. GDI application will subsequently be expanded across the gasoline engine family and applied to other Hyundai models.
