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Hyundai Tiburon debuts as rakish but affordable sports coupe
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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The crowd of California sidewalk shoppers, collecting at a curb in the picturesque community of Tiburon, did not concern themselves with the spectacular view across the bay to the slopes and skyscrapers of San Francisco.
Instead, they were apparently drawn to the sporty new car I had steered that morning down a twisted route which traced the Pacific Coast.
Each pointed to sensuously smooth lines of a cute coupe with slit-eye headlamps, severely canted windshield and bulging sideboard wheelwell accents.
Several were heard to speculate about what type of horsepower might lurk beneath that crisply notched sloping hoodline.
Yet the component of this dramatically styled sports machine which produced the greatest curiosity concerned the new car's nameplate, as spelled out on an integrated bumper in contrasting script displayed below the rear deck spoiler.
"Can you believe the irony?" One Tiburon spectator remarked. "This thing's called Tiburon too."
Driving Hyundai's new Tiburon sports coupe to the site of its namesake's trendy California colony seemed like an appropriate gesture to experience every flavor of its expressive personality.
Besides, the golden sun shined brightly, reflections from San Francisco Bay cast handsome blue images across that curvy Tiburon sheetmetal, and roads leading to Tiburon the town showed off the aggressive, fun-flavored driving attitude of Tiburon the car.
Inspiration for Tiburon came at the 1993 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with Hyundai's daring concept car called HCD2. With a low profile and extreme shapes including exaggerated body bumps pitched above each wheelwell, the design seemed rather unexpected for Korea's car company known at the time only for economy mini-cars.
Typically, by the time production models emerge from show-car concepts, final designs appear watered and tamed, certainly less dramatic and exciting than the original.
That's not the case with Tiburon, as all of those bulges and sweeps and curves from the 1993 concept show up in stunning and exciting reality for 1997 production models.
With Tiburon, Korea's most prolific automaker plans to cast a sporty new image for the Hyundai brand in America by offering a head-turning new subcompact coupe that's not only fun to drive but downright affordable as well.
How affordable is Tiburon's 'affordable'?
Entry pricing should dip as low as $13,000, with even a maxed-out deluxe edition FX totaling to several thousand less than today's medial new car price of $20,000.
When I conjure images of affordable cars, my typical word picture comes to derisive descriptives like lethargic, uncomfortable, uninspired, even boring.
That's not what you'll find when testing Tiburon.
Instead, it's expressive, pleasing, entirely fun.
My tests in Tiburon prototypes of both base and upscale FX editions covered a range of driving conditions including fast-paced freeway, winding coastal and river roads, back routes and city streets scattered across Northern California counties of Sonoma and Marin.
From the outset, Tiburon revealed itself as a driver's car equipped with tight and precise mechanical systems and spirited road manners which seemingly stand in counterpoint to affordable window stickers.
As an inveterate sports car fan, I found that Tiburon delivered exacting control to the driver, so much so that its glove-like fit forged a mechanical expression of self and allowed an aggressive personality to dance on pavement.
Its good manners stem from good hardware aboard, like a 4-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and dual-link design at the rear, coil springs and nitrogen gas-charged shocks at all corners plus stabilizer bar mounted fore and aft.
Root of the car's responsiveness comes from a long and stiff chassis lifted from Hyundai Elantra and reinforced with steel cross braces.
Tiburon's power-assisted rack and pinion steering system also contributes to this car's handling. Mounting the steering gear box on front suspensional subframe dampens tendencies to shimmy and shake and ultimately produces a better feel of the road surface for the driver.
The power-assisted brake system utilizes big ventilated discs in front, with rear drums on base model and solid discs added to FX upgrade. Anti-lock brakes coupled with a 4-channel design scores as important safety option.
Yet Tiburon's entry version provides a long list of safety equipment, beginning with twin airbags. Integrated structural components range from front and rear crumple zones to steel bracing in side doors, reinforced roof and engine bulkhead.
For power, Tiburon's base 1.8-liter in-line-4 plant sports four valves per cylinder and dual overhead cam. It generates 130 hp with 90 percent of peak torque produced at the relatively low engine speed of 2300 rpm.
Direct acting components -- like the distributorless ignition system, toothed timing belt and self-adjusting hydraulic valve lash adjusters -- trim the number of valvetrain parts and set up maintenance-free operation.
To stem engine vibrations and noise from intruding on passengers, the powerplant rides in a special cast aluminum support web which resists torsional movement.
Tiburon FX goes further in the power department by adding a new 2.0-liter engine variation. It pumps 140 hp and lowers torque delivery for even quicker take-offs and lower-gear responsiveness.
A malleable 5-speed stick shows as standard for both plants, with an electronic 4-speed automatic optional.
Even a quick spin around the block will let you know that Tiburon does a superior job of controlling noise and vibration -- which is a hallmark of luxury vehicles. New high-tech insulation materials surround the passenger compartment, while a new 2-piece instrument panel resists squeaks and rattles.
Inside, Tiburon installs twin front bucket seats and a bench for two in back. The base Tiburon laces the cockpit with power controls and comfort features, but Tiburon FX adds deluxe stereo sound equipment.
1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1997 HYUNDAI TIBURON Specs |
| Description: |
Subcompact sports coupe |
| Model Options: |
Subcompact sports coupe |
| Wheelbase: |
97.4 inches |
| Overall Length: |
170.9 inches
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| Engine Size: |
Base: DOHC 1.8-L I4
FX: DOHC 2.0-L I4
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Base: Power disc/drum/ABS opt.
FX: Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
1.8-L: 24/32 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 13,000 to $ 18,000 |
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