Thursday, August 29, 2013
2007 Hyundai Tiburon Preview
The facelifted 2007 Hyundai Tiburon debuted at the 2006 Paris Auto Show. Hyundais entry level sports coupe has wooed almost a quarter million buyers worldwide with its great looks, and like the previous generation, this coupe looks champagne expensive with a beer-bottle price tag.
There are two models for this year (2007) and next (2007) of the Hyundai Tiburon. The Tiburon base includes these standard features, a 2.0 Liter DOHC 16-Valve Inline 4-Cylinder, Manual 5-speed FWD Transmission, Dual Exhaust Outlets, P205/55HR-16 Michelin Tires, Aluminum Alloy 6.5J x 16" Wheels, Non-CFC Air Conditioning, Power Windows w/Auto-down Drivers Window, Cruise Control, Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer, Electric Rear Window Defroster, H260 AM/FM/CD Stereo w/6 speakers, Front & Side Dual Airbag System, Keyless Remote Entry available with the Security System and Power Door Locks. The other 2007 Hyundai Tiburon is the GT model which comes with these main key features over base model, a V6 2.7-liter 170 hp DOHC Engine, Leather Seating Surfaces, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel & Shift Knob, 6-Speed Manual Transmission Available, H280/Infinity 7-speaker stereo system, Bodycolor Spoiler, Sport-tuned Suspension, Specific GT V6 Badging and Hyundais 17" Pilot Summer tires.
Interior
Up to four people can fit inside the Tiburon. Air conditioning, keyless entry, a CD stereo, and power windows, locks and mirrors are standard in all Tiburons. Automatic temperature control and cloth upholstery with leather bolsters are installed in the GT model. The seats in the GT feature red stitching, which complements the leather-wrapped steering wheel. Leather seating surfaces are available in the GT. The SE coupe has aluminum pedals, metal-grain trim, a trio of auxiliary gauges and a Kenwood CD/MP3 audio system. Cargo volume totals 14.7 cubic feet.
Exterior
Styled in South Korea, the Tiburon coupe blends straight and curved lines in what Hyundai calls an effort to "emphasize vitality and strength." The body features a high belt line and a short greenhouse, with a steeply raked windshield and back window. Tiburons are equipped with all-disc brakes, which feature larger, cross-drilled rotors on the SE model. A fully independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars is standard on all Tiburons.
Built on a 99.6-inch wheelbase, the Tiburon is 173 inches long overall. A deck-lid spoiler is mounted on the GT coupe, which has 17-inch alloy wheels. The SE model gets a high deck spoiler. The GS has standard 16-inch wheels, but 17-inch wheels are available.
Safety
Seat-mounted side-impact airbags and four-wheel-disc antilock brakes are standard. For 2007, the SE adds an electronic stability system, a rarity among cars in this price range.
Driving Impressions
The Tiburon’s shapely lines don’t quite translate to the sporty driving experience one might expect. In performance-oriented models, the ride is bouncy on rough pavement. Even though the car stays properly on course, it doesn’t impart a full sense of security.
Handling is good; the GT coupe steers easily and maneuvers with some nimbleness in corners. Stable on the highway, the Tiburon takes curves reasonably well, but it falls short of some rivals. Road and tire noise is prominent, but the engine — if anything — is too quiet for easy manual gear shifting. Hyundai’s six-speed gearbox is notchy and somewhat stiff, but the clutch engages smoothly.
The Tiburon’s seats are supportive. Legroom and elbow space are good, but headroom is meager.
Standard interior and comfort features for the new 2007 Hyundai Tiburon;
Non-CFC Air Conditioning
Power Windows w/Auto-down Drivers Window
Cruise Control
Tilt Steering Column
Variable Intermittent Front Windshield Wipers
Intermittent Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Electric Rear Window Defroster w/Timer
Remote Fuel Door, Hatch and Hood Releases
Drivers Footrest (Black Plastic) Covering
Rotary HVAC System
Cargo Area Lamp
Warning Lamps including Low Fuel Indicator
Quartz Digital Clock
Drivers Side Rear Coat Hook
Illuminated Cigarette Lighter & 12-volt Accessory Outlet
Front Side Window Defogger
H260 AM/FM/CD Stereo w/6-speakers
Full Center Console with Storage
Radio Antenna (Rod Fixed)
Illuminating Instrument Panel, Clock and HVAC
Driver and Passenger Sun visors w/ Vanity Mirror
Carpeted Floor Mats
News
The Korean shark car is up on the block at Hyundai.
The Tiburon coupe — its name means shark — has just been tweaked and updated as the company works through its whole range to set the course for the next 10 years.
Hyundai should hit 48,000 sales in Australia this year and is aiming to power past 50,000 next year with its all-new model line-up providing the power.
Hyundai has had four totally new arrivals so far this year — Elantra, Sonata, SantaFe and Grandeur — and also has a diesel-engined Santa Fe coming before the end of the year.
The smoother shark car will open the action in 2007, although the latest Tiburon has already been given its world premiere in China.
It has a gentler shape and has also been given a cabin upgrade and update.
"It will probably be here in January or February. Its available from the end of the year, but well take it from the first quarter of next year," Hyundai Motor Australia director of sales and marketing, Theo van Doore, says.
"Its not new, its a facelift. But its a fairly substantial cosmetic update. Its pretty sexy. It will be followed by the hatchback and wagon models of the new Elantra, which has only been introduced as a sedan in Australia.
"Thats it now for new models. We still have the Santa Fe diesel, which is the first soft-roader with a diesel engine, and were expecting it to go well.
"But its been four this year. And they are all completely new products. So we have had a lot to do."
Van Doore says Hyundai is now looking to build from its new-model base and to also pick up some of the slack that has come with the arrival of so many new models.
"We have suffered quite a lot, because we couldnt get stock. The world demand for our fuel-efficient cars has been a problem," he says. "We expect supplies to come on-line from September. The objective over the next two to three years is to consolidate. Next year wed like to do about 53,000 vehicles. Weve had very fast growth for the past three years."
Van Doore says Hyundai is picking up as a brand and believes quality improvements have made a big difference.
"There also seems to be some public awareness that we are a lot better than we used to be," he says.
Hyundai is trumpeting its success in JD Power quality surveys in the United States, where it recently finished third overall, behind Porsche and Lexus.
"All of our other models, apart from the old Accent, were in the top three in their category. Tuscon won its category, so did Sonata and Grandeur," van Doore says.
"Were attacking the business from many different angles. Its all about becoming a more accessible and more prestigious brand.
"In the last 2 1/2years weve replaced about 30 per cent of our dealers.
"Its a much, much stronger network than it has been, and the dealers have probably spent $50 million on facilities."
Herald-Sun
