A combustion chamber and injection strategy for a direct injected internal combustion engine. The combustion chamber is formed with a relatively flat surface across substantially the entire head of the piston to provide a large surface area on which fuel can collect and evaporate. Fuel is injected earlier under lower speed and midrange running than with prior art type of constructions so that the fuel will be longer in the cylinder and have a better chance to vaporize. However, the spray orientation, pattern and timing is such that even though fuel is injected before the exhaust valves are closed at the higher speeds and loads, the fuel will not pass out of the exhaust system.