We reported in September that the redesigned 2011 Hyundai Sonata will have a direct-injected 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine.

Today, we learned that this engine is an advancement on the company's current Theta structure and, with the addition of direct injection, it will have an 11.3:1 compression ratio (up from 10.5:1 on the port-injected version). It also has a three-stage intake and variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side.

In the Sonata, this 2.4-liter will be rated at 201 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.

In the current market, this ties it with the Acura TSX's 2.4-liter for most horsepower from a normally aspirated four-cylinder engine. And Hyundai has the advantage in torque — Acura only gets 172 hp out of its 2.4-liter.

And, remember, this is the only the beginning: Hyundai also plans to offer a turbocharged version of this engine on the Sonata making about 240-250 hp.

IL News: Hyundai Develops Own Gasoline Direct-Injection Theta II Engine