Direct-injection resurgence

The Japanese OEMs are integrating the latest-generation technology into their newest gasoline and diesel engines, focusing the latter on export markets such as Europe.

Japan's direct-injection gasoline (DIG) engine movement, at one time touted to be champion of power and fuel economy, may have appeared to have slowed but has not. There are still many vehicles powered by a variety of DIG powerplants. Nissan has the most, comprising direct-injection versions of the QR inline four-cylinder and the VQ V6, all identified with the suffix DD. Mitsubishi suffered from its overly zealous GDI (gasoline direct-injection) drive, turning almost all of its gasoline engines to the specification. The beleaguered manufacturer has persevered, offering some GDI models while readying the improved second-generation version.

The DIG movement is now gathering renewed momentum. Toyota and Honda now offer two new cars powered by their latest direct-injection gasoline engines of uniquely different characteristics: Toyota with a stoichiometric-charge-burning V6 and Honda an ultra-lean-burn one.