New Hyundai 2.0L Theta GDI Turbo engine

Hyundai Theta GDI Turbo engine

Hyundai has developed a new turbocharged gasoline direct injection version of its Theta family engine. The Theta family is essentially a derivative of the GEMA World Engine project, a joint venture between Hyundai-Kia, Chrysler and Mitsubishi. It comes in 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 litre sizes.

Derivatives of the GEMA engine found in cars sold in Malaysia include the Kia Optima 2.0, the Naza Citra II Rondo, the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Lancer Evolution. There have already been two turbocharged applications of GEMA derivatives in the market, a 2.4 litre turbo by Chrysler and a 2.0 turbo by Mitsubishi found in the Lancer Evolution.

Hyundai claims their Theta Turbo GDI engine has a capacity for up to 286 horsepower so far. Other than gasoline direct injection, it also features continuous variable valve timing. Various states of tune will probably be available – perhaps 200hp, 240hp and 286hp versions depending on the car its installed in.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • NiceCar (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Is good to develope engine that derivative of the GEMA World Engine project, a joint venture between Hyundai-Kia, Chrysler and Mitsubishi.. since still many ppl not so confident on korean car’s engine even they had improved a lot..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • mankrm (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Paul, does this mean that it is possible for one, with the current engine, to install turbo on Citra II Rondo?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rexis (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    Now… I won’t say koreans can only design cars.

    Campro CPS turbo anyone?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Akazamabamaboo (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 1:30 pm

    Thumbs up!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • IsaacVky (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    Hyundai too have a 4.6L V8 which produce more horsepower/L of displacement than any other manufacturers.

    Proton where is your Turbo Campro.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 2:46 pm

    IsaacVky said,

    November 21, 2008 @ 2:13 pm

    Hyundai too have a 4.6L V8 which produce more horsepower/L of displacement than any other manufacturers.

    Proton where is your Turbo Campro.
    —————————-
    i prefer a HEMI

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • bmpower (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 4:02 pm

    they only know how to build their engine just now?
    well.. that was after over 60 years of existence.
    what aaa….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • adil2008 (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 4:44 pm

    last time Hyundai car use Mitsubishi engine, now turn back to Mitsubishi use Hyundai engine. How about proton? is it possible for Mitsubishi use proton campro engine?
    Improve it PROTON.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • szw (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 9:02 pm

    claim ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • red7 (Member) on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:53 pm

    still not confindent with korean technology.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • BanyakMasukWorkshop (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 1:06 am

    adil2008 said,

    November 21, 2008 @ 4:44 pm

    last time Hyundai car use Mitsubishi engine, now turn back to Mitsubishi use Hyundai engine. How about proton? is it possible for Mitsubishi use proton campro engine?
    Improve it PROTON.

    _____________________

    sorry bro, your facts are way off. please read pauls article properly, and you will know that the GEMA engine is a collaboration between Hyundai-Kia, Chrysler and Mitsubishi. its not mitsubishi using hyundais engine.. then again, the theta is still not entirely hyundais engine, which just goes to show how difficult it is to come up with a good engine by yourself.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • 4G63T DSM (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 8:11 am

    hmmm….if thats the picture of the new engine and powertrain, thats really interesting.

    new base engine for the Turbo Coupe?…in RWD no less.

    hmmmmmmm…….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:20 am

    4G63T DSM said,

    November 22, 2008 @ 8:11 am

    hmmm….if thats the picture of the new engine and powertrain, thats really interesting.

    new base engine for the Turbo Coupe?…in RWD no less.

    hmmmmmmm…….
    —————————————
    the hyundai big van..i thing starex also rwd , can off esp and oversteer?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • adil2008 (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:33 am

    BanyakMasukWorkshop said,

    sorry bro, your facts are way off. please read pauls article properly, and you will know that the GEMA engine is a collaboration between Hyundai-Kia, Chrysler and Mitsubishi. its not mitsubishi using hyundais engine.. then again, the theta is still not entirely hyundais engine, which just goes to show how difficult it is to come up with a good engine by yourself.

    —————————————————————-

    I know, 4 of them r joint venture, at the same time proton still need to improve the engine development, not only use CAMPRO, develop the new engine for more fuel efficiency or new diesel engine for enviroment friendly.

    South Korea’s Hyundai had the lead design responsibility for the base engine, but the Chrysler Group and Japan’s Mitsubishi made significant contributions to the design. So far, the engines are only being built for vehicles from those three companies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • adil2008 (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:40 am

    Hyundai: from borrowing engines from Mitsubishi

    From its first engine seventeen years ago, the company is now building a variety of four- and six-cylinder passenger-car engines and now also a completely modern V-8, the Tau, which is optional in the new Genesis luxury sedan. “It all started in 1990,” recalls Dr. Lee, “when Toyota launched Lexus. We were just spectators, but we thought, ‘Why couldn’t we do that, also?’ At the time, our daydream seemed laughable, but through diligence and hard work, our dream has come true. Until 1991, when we developed our first engine, we had no technology; we relied totally on Mitsubishi.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • adil2008 (Member) on Nov 22, 2008 at 10:50 am

    From borrow engine to build the engine, fantastic HYUNDAI, from PONY 1.2L to Sonota 3.3L

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • torque (Member) on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:29 pm

    Nice work done by those three! Plus, Hyundai seems to prove themselves a lot these couple of years especially with their Genesis project. Soon, my guess all those Japs cars should watch the rear view mirror for any Hyundai Tiburon fitted with this turbo engine..who knows right?! The Korean are coming…and they coming the hard way!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen GMBH + Co. KG (Member) on Nov 26, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    kia engine is it same?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jason on Jun 02, 2009 at 8:32 am

    kia engine is the same as hyudai now, before back in the day kia used mazda motors, that was when kia was crap, today kia is also moving upscale fast with the introduction of their new kia Sorento R , kia Forte, forte coupe and kia soul, there is a turbo sport car car also in the works by kia.

    hyundai is doing great things these days, their goal is to have a full line of hybrid cars by 2015 and their on schedule with their first all new redisigned hybrid Sonata YF to debut later this year 2009 and be ready to purchase by 2010 as a 2011 model, the hybrid elantra and hybrid accent will follow it after.

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  • arnoldg on Mar 03, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Will Hyundai use the twin scroll turbo in any cars other than the Sonata? Will the engine be available in any rear wheel drive cars? Such as the Genesis Coupe?
    .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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