Hyundai is seriously considering building a convertible version of its popular Tiburon coupe, according to John Krafcik, Hyundai’s North American vice president of product development and strategic planning. In an interview with The Car Connection Krafcik said a next-generation Tiburon coupe is also under development, with its sights set further upmarket. “Imagine an Infiniti G; this is where it will go,” Krafcik said. He also indicated the automaker is working on a “Rear-Wheel-Drive Premium Car” positioned above the Azera. While the automaker has not decided if it will sell the sedan in the United States, Krafcik said it could compete with the Nissan Maxima or even low-end Lexus models.
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06/05, 3:53 PM
posted by:
mookie
The Tiburon is ‘popular’? Okay.
06/05, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Mike
I’d say its a very good car, especially given the age of the current model.
I really like the design of the current model, the mechanicals are drastically due for an updating though
06/05, 4:14 PM
posted by:
VDub
hyundai’s quality is on the rise but i think its still way below the standards of top automobile manufacturers. If hyundai can nail this new gen tiburon then they could finally establish some credibility.
06/05, 4:41 PM
posted by:
Rob
I’m not a hyundai fan but…..below the standards of top manufacturers? By that I’ll assume other cars within it’s class and price range. Hyundai’s materials and fit & finish are way better then what GM and Ford are doing.
06/05, 4:55 PM
posted by:
Mike
The current Tiburon was at/ner teh top of its class… when it came out… a LONG time ago.
06/05, 5:15 PM
posted by:
David
to be honest I really like the current styling of the new hydundais, very euro’esque. and diffently more appealing than honda or toyta……….god I m going to get flamed for that.
06/05, 5:28 PM
posted by:
David
ok, after looking at their line up
just the sonta and the azera, still a step in the right direction
06/05, 6:26 PM
posted by:
Rick M
RWD sedan is a good idea.. but better would be to turn the Tiburon to RWD. The current one is nice, but if it were RWD, they’d really be collecting a premium on it. Just don’t over-tech it, like they did years ago to the Supra & Z – that’s what killed them. Keep it simple.
06/05, 8:46 PM
posted by:
Edward
I once rode in a 350Z (passenger seat) while racing a Tiburon GT. Now granted, neither of these drivers were Top Gear’s “Stig”, The Tiburon did put up one hell of a race.
This is making a hell of a speculation, but Hyundai has been doing a suprisingly great job in the past couple of years. Given the new Sonata and Azera as well as the evolution in performance from the 1999 Tiburon to the 2006, I wouldn’t not expect to see Hyundai blow all preconceptions out of the water with this next vehicle.
They say Infiniti G, but imagine a RWD, lighter, (possibly) turbocharged V6 Tiburon… I could see them quietly stepping foot into M3 territory. Mind you… under $25,000.
06/05, 8:50 PM
posted by:
The Fez
at least the roof of the tiburon doesn’t blow off
06/05, 8:57 PM
posted by:
M
Eeeek!!! That Tiburon in the picture above has a face only a mother could love!
06/05, 9:17 PM
posted by:
SweatyCup
Its not as bland as Pontiac’s New Look whatever thats is
06/06, 12:59 AM
posted by:
Durandal
the brand quality has improved a lot recently, i will admit. but i can’t see the tiburon taking on a G35, ever!
06/06, 9:06 AM
posted by:
SS
Didn’t the Tiburon post some decent lap times compared to a Boxster in, I believe, Willow Springs when Motor Trend tested it? It’s actually a very competent, well styled car at a damn good price. I welcome a rear wheel drive version.
06/06, 10:05 AM
posted by:
Curtis
Like you all said the brand has steped up. But why would Hyundai want to step up in to m3 class. Because Hyundai has some fast cars right now like the Hyundai sonnata 0-60 mph in 5 sec i dont see them macking the cars any faster. If they did would they want 0-60mph in 4 sec because thats just wrong if they do that a Hyundai in ferrari land lol.
06/10, 9:30 PM
posted by:
Ricky
what would you rather do? buy a brand new 2006 mitsubishi evo mr with stock turbo blah blah for 35,000 $ or put down 22,000 on a brand new 2006 tiburon gt and pop a turbo and some other performance stuff on there.. plus its a hatchback and i am big into sound systems.. the evo shows nothing of a trunk when i cant fit my 2 10″ mtx 9500 in there to MTX’s dual box for it, it just wont fit.. what should i do? a 2.7l V6 twin turbo would probably hall ass… please comment
07/08, 7:11 AM
posted by:
Chris
Well, I actually own a Tiburon, and its a very good car, I don’t think its the best in class, but it is a great value, and a solid well put together car.
Some of you have sugested that the current style is in need of an update, I disagree, I think they need a more powerful engine, but I love the way it looks, it was a complete redesign in the 2003 model year.
I hear rumoprs that Hyundai might just make a super version of the Tib, with like a Supercharger or a turbo, it will be intresting to see what happens
a very very good car
07/12, 12:21 PM
posted by:
Christy
I own a 1999 Tiburon, and have never had to repair it for any reason other than standard maintenance and a few recalls (didnt’ cause any problems, though). My experience has been so great, I only want to buy Hyundai’s from now on. My problem is, I don’t like the newer Tib models, so I am reluctant to buy a new one, which is why I drive such an older model. I am very much looking forward to a new style-something less boxy than the 2003 models. The older models were really stylsih and had exciting curves….I hope they put some of the original style back in if they redesign it or make a convertible.
07/22, 7:26 PM
posted by:
Rob
I would take a Tiburon GT over a Mitsubishi Eclipse GT any day of the week. In general, my experience has been that Hyundai has put out competative quality cars and sold them for a few thousand dollars less than their Japanese and American counterparts. The only thing I would like to see change, as the girl in the last post pointed out, is that they should try rounding the body out a little bit, it’s a little too angular, maybe a wider wheel base as well, a more rounded rear would be nice, it’s still a nice car though, I think it’s better than an Eclipse, but the Eclipse looks like a higher end car. I’m planning on getting one soon.
The other thing I like about Hyundai’s, if the Sonata my parents bought back in 1990 is any indicator, Hyundai’s come equipped with a pretty damn good sound system… I know my father put a new stereo into my moms Elantra last year, but that was more to do with the fact that the car didn’t have a cd player.
08/25, 2:21 AM
posted by:
Tuscani Order
Tuscani Order
The 2nd generation, 2003 – 2006, Tiburon/Tuscani/Coupe is a fully integrated design worthy of admiration and accolades. It manages a strong presence, appearing sexy with substance minus too much unnecessary bling.
This facelift for the 2007/08 model is not worthy of the original GK 2003/06 design. The front end snout/air intake is much too narrow and results in a week, generic look common to many cookie cutter cars – disappointing. Also, the BMWesqe front fender detail with its inbuilt turn signal is overkill and unoriginal in the extreme.
I believe that what constitutes a car of character and depth is the evolution of its basic design aesthetic, which results in its design purity, essence and soul. Great designs evolve purposefully and with grace, not like a bull roaring through a china shop.
To create the 2nd generation Tiburon/Tuscani/Coupe (sort out the name thing too – a Porsche 944 is the same world wide, its identity is clear), Hyundai pinched certain key elements from a number of prestigious sports cars and blended them beautifully into their own original. The Hyundai will go down in history as one of the major turning points for the company and its own evolution from being a maker of cheap cars lacking depth or character, to cars of quality, design and engineering excellence – all of which they have already shown to be achievable in a value package.
08/30, 1:52 AM
posted by:
jay
i just bought a 2006 tiburon and i love it. the only bad part is that i wish it was faster. what i heard was that they were coming out with a rwd turbo tiburon i was like that sounds sick. i really think that should be a thing that really needs to come out. i hope for them to come out so that if they do im going to trade mine in for that car.