GM bringing direct injection technology to mainstream models

Direct injection, a highly precise fuel saving technology, will be standard on the new GMC Terrain small SUV, General Motors plans to announce today at the New York Auto Show.

GM has been adding the advanced fuel injection system to most of its newly introduced performance and luxury vehicles. But with the Terrain, GM is moving the technology into its mainstream, high volume models.

GM will have 18 nameplates with the advanced fuel injection system once the Terrain goes on sale this summer as a 2010 model.

GM's planned announcement underscores the growing pressure being put on the automaker to demonstrate more fuel efficient vehicles and technologies. The Obama administration and its allies in Congress expect the automaker -- while taking taxpayer bailout funds -- must deliver more such vehicles to the market.

Direct injection improves a vehicle's fuel efficiency by spraying small amounts of pure gasoline into an engine's cylinders where it is mixed with air.

The Terrain will be built at GM's Ingersoll, Ontario, plant and shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Equinox. Two engines, both with direct injection, will be available in the Terrain. The entry level Terrain will come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that GM estimates will deliver fuel economy of 30 mpg highway.

That vehicle is expected to have a starting price of around $20,000. An optional 3.0-liter V-6 is available on the Terrain, but GM has not yet estimated its fuel economy. No horsepower ratings were available for either engine.

"Direct injection is a key component of GM's advanced propulsion technology strategy that uses multiple technology pathways to achieve increased efficiency..." said Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product development.

GM has been using direct injection on performance oriented vehicles such as the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Chevrolet Cobalt SS. In those vehicles, the 2.0-liter direct injection engine sports a turbocharger and cranks out 260 horsepower, yet it still delivers nearly 30 mpg in highway driving. Also, direct injection is used on many of GM's vehicles that feature the company's new 3.0-liter and 3.6-liter V-6s.