Much-maligned car manufacturer General Motors is hoping for a more secure future as it plans to introduce a number of increasingly fuel efficient petrol engines.

The newly introduced GMC Terrain will include a direct-injection engine in 2010 while during model year 2009 the company is offering six engine variants all with direct injection across 10 of its North American models and 18 worldwide. This will then be expanded to eight engine variants in 2010, with 18 models in North America alone featuring the technology, and a whopping 38 worldwide.

One of the highlights is the 2010 Ecotec 2.4l which will be offered in both the GMC Terrain the Chevrolet Equinox. It is installed transversely and is equipped with either a Hydra-Matic 6T45 FWD or AWD six-speed automatic transmission. The engine creates 136kW of power and 233Nm of torque.

The direct injection system allows for a more complete burn of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture while operating at a lower temperature. As a consequence less fuel is needed to generate a higher amount of horsepower.

The North American vehicles that will include the direct injection applications in 2009 are the Saturn Sky Red Line; the Saturn Outlook; the Pontiac Solstice GXP; the Chevrolet HHR SS; the Chevrolet Traverse; the Cadillac CTS; the Cadillac STS; the GMC Acadia; the Buick Enclave and the Cobalt SS.