Hyundai Tiburon

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Hyundai Tiburon
Also called:	Hyundai Coupe Hyundai Coupé
Manufacturer:	Hyundai Motor Company
Production:	1996–present
Predecessor:	Hyundai Scoupe
Class:	Sport compact
Body style:	2-door coupe
Transmission:	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual
Similar:	Mitsubishi Eclipse Nissan 350Z Scion tC

The Hyundai Tiburon is a sport compact coupe produced by Hyundai since 1996. The name itself means shark in Spanish. Tiburon is the name given to the current North American, Australian, New Zealand, South African, and Austrian production of the vehicle, though it is called the Hyundai Coupe in world markets. It has also been known by the moniker Turbulence and Tuscani in the South Korean market. Enthusiasts sometimes refer to it using the nickname 'Tib' or 'Tibby' in the markets in which it is called the Tiburon.

1 First generation
2 Second generation
3 Third generation
4 Safety concerns
5 External links
- 5.1 Official & encyclopedic Links
- 5.2 Enthusiast & community links

[edit] First generation

First generation

Production:	1996–1998
Engine:	1.6 L (114 hp), 1.8 L, or 2.0 L I4 Beta I DOHC (140 hp)
Transmission:	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase:	97.4 in.
Length:	170.9 in.
Width:	68.1 in.
Height:	51.7 in.
Related:	Hyundai Elantra

Tiburon first began production in late 1996. It was available in a few foreign markets with engine choices of either 1.6L or 1.8L. In the United States, The Tiburon was first offered in 1997 with an engine choice of 1.8L. Then Hyundai upgraded the Tiburon to an available 2.0L Engine choice, marked the FX in 1998. The Tiburon was offered in 1998 with both the FX (2.0L) model and the base 1.8L model. All versions of the Tiburon manufactured from 1996-2001 are known as "RD" Tiburons. There where various models, with or withought ABS, 2 airbags and sunroof.

[edit] Second generation

Second generation

Production:	1999–2001
Engine:	1.6 L (114 hp), 1.8 L, or 2.0 L I4 Beta I DOHC (140 hp)
Transmission:	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase:	97.4 in.
Length:	170.9 in.
Width:	68.1 in.
Height:	51.7 in.
Related:	Hyundai Elantra

The 2000 and 2001 Tiburons manufactured from 1999 to 2001 are referred to as 2nd generation RD Tiburons (RD2's) & received a significant body style upgrade. The 2.0L was rated at 140 hp at the crankshaft (the car's manual specifies 102 kW at the flywheel). The 1.6L was not offered in America. The 2.0L produces a 0-60 time of 7.8s, with a 1/4 mile time of 16.1s. Base weight was around 2,556lbs (1,159kg), giving the RD Tiburon a higher power to weight ratio than the newer GK 2.0L. ABS and sunroof were available in a package.

[edit] Third generation

Third generation

Production:	2003–present
Engine:	2.0 Beta II CVVT I4 (145 hp) 2.7 L V6 (172 hp)
Transmission:	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-Speed manual
Wheelbase:	99.6 in.
Length:	173.0 in.
Width:	69.3 in.
Height:	52.4 in.
Related:	Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Matrix Hyundai Tucson Kia Spectra Kia Sportage

The third generation was introduced to some markets in 2002. Depending on the specific market, these were badged as Tiburon, Coupe or as a Tuscani without reference to Hyundai.

[edit] Branding

In several markets the model is sold and branded as a Tuscani. The Tuscani wears a circular badge containing a smaller circle of black and grey horizontal bars which is overlayed with a letter 'T' painted gold on the left and silver on the right. Even in markets where the car is sold as a Hyundai Tiburon or Hyundai Coupe, the name Tuscani has become quite popular. Many cars have been modified aftermarket to be rebadged as with Tuscani emblems. A rumour has started to circulate that Hyundai is considering a plan to branch off the Tuscani name as a complete sub brand for more exclusive, sporty, and upmarket models. The existence of the name is most likely come into existence to achieve greater sales where the Hyundai name has cloying associations with more budget products.

In some markets secondary badging may denotes engine size and variations such as trim, wheel and other options. These badges include S, SE and FX, although some use FX across the entire range available. In certain markets, certain exterior colours are not available and identification may require noticing subtle local differences such as alloy wheels, spoilers or dealer fit options such as in car entertainment systems. These can all change from year to year and from market to market, so the variation is quite significant. One notable difference across all markets is that the 1.6 engine (where sold) always comes with a single exhaust (right hand side) whereas the higher engine sized models have twin exhausts.

[edit] Engineering

Three engine choices are offered, although not in all markets.

1.6 L inline-4 cylinder Alpha

105 hp @ 5,800 rpm and 143 N·m @ 4,500 rpm.

2.0 inline 4 cylinder Beta II featuring variable valve timing on the inlet valves (CVVT)

145 hp at 6000 rpm and 184 N·m (138 ft·lbf) of torque at 4500 rpm.

2.7 L V6 Delta

172 hp @ 6000 rpm and 245 N·m (181 ft·lbf) @ 3800 rpm.

[edit] Performance

These are manufacturers quoted figures:

1.6 litre

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 11.6 seconds Top speed: 121 mph

2.0 litre

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 9.2 seconds Top speed: 129 mph

2.7 Litre

Acceleration 0-60 mph: 7.2 seconds Top speed: 142 mph

The car is available with a five or six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic.

[edit] Equipment and safety

The exact specification will depends on model and the market where it is sold but these are some of the features available:

ABS Brakes, Dual Circuit with brake force distribution
Front (variable rate) airbags and side airbags
Side impact protection bars
ESP Stability Control
Traction Control
Electric windows, sunroof
Heated front seats
Trip Computer
Air Conditioning / Climate Control
Leather / Half-leather / Cloth interior
Sports seats
Alloy wheels (normally 16" or 17")
Additional gauges featuring torque, fuel burn rate and voltage

[edit] Design

It has been rumoured that the third generation model was quite heavily influenced by the Ferrari 456 design by Pininfarina. It has also a very similar look of the Ferrari 360 Modena and its successor the F430 but without the engine in the back.

[edit] Face Lift(s)

Hyundai conducted minor tweaks to the 'GK' model in 2005, for the outgoing named 2006. The vehicle incorporated reworked sleeker blackened headlights, redesigned rear tail lights, a different range of alloy wheel designs, colored stitching on leather seats (half leather seats available for the 1.6 range). A popular modification, as promoted on www.newtiburon.com, saw owners of the 2002 vehicle removing the air-filter resonator box. The resonator box was located directly in front of the front left hand side wheel, behind the fender. This allowed for a greater airflow to the air filter, gaining a minimal increase of brake horse power (BHP). Hyundai, seeking cost cuts, adopted this modification for 2005+ models.

[edit] Safety concerns

In Australia, the 1996–2000 Hyundai Coupe was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "significantly worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[1] By contrast, on the 2004–2007 models they received a 4/5 star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the USA.[2][3][4][5]

[edit] External links

	Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hyundai Tiberon

[edit] Official & encyclopedic Links

[edit] Enthusiast & community links

HyundaiTuners A Hyundai tuning community
Hyundai Tiburon Owner Forums Modders and Owners Information resource
The UK Hyundai Coupe Site Hyundai Coupe enthusiasts website and online community.
RDTiburon Tiburon forum focused on the RD1 and RD2 Tiburons, GK owners are always welcome.