The Hyundai Coupe, aka Hyundai Tiburon in North America, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, is a sports coupe produced by Hyundai. The word Tiburon is a variation of "tiburón", the Spanish word for "shark". In the South Korean market, the car goes by the names Tuscani and Turbulence. The production run went over two generations, with each generation implementing facelifts that attempted to bring the Coupe up to speed to the rapidly changing world.
Hyundai began production of the car in 1996 and continued until 2008. Hyundai Veloster succeeded it in most markets.
First Generation (RC, 1996-2011)
Production of the first-generation Coupe took place in Asan, South Korea. The first models sold in foreign markets were available in two engine choices only - 1.8L and 1.6L. The base models came with Elantra's 1.8L engine, producing 97 kW power and 171 Nm torque. Upscale versions, on the other hand, came with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produced 104 kW power and 180 Nm torque. In 1998, both base and upscale versions used the 2.0L four-cylinder engine exclusively.
There were three models of the Coupe — the base SX, mid-range FX, and the more exquisite SFX that came with all the advanced features. The SX came with the aforementioned 1.8-litre twin cam fuel-injected four-cylinder engine, while the FX model came with the bigger 2.0 L engine. The base model didn't lack in impressive features, such as an adjustable steering column, fog lamps, body-coloured bumpers, power steering, and power windows. The FX added alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, remote central locking, an alarm system, and a CD player to what the SX offered.
The SFX had the same powertrain as the FX and came equipped with cruise control, power sunroof, standard ABS, leather trim, and a driver's airbag on top of all the features of the lower models.
Special Editions
Special editions within the generation focused on cosmetic reinvention rather than on performance and mechanicals. In the UK, after Hyundai's entrance into the Formula 2 World Rally Championship, F2 and F2 Evolution editions came out in 1998 and 1999, respectively. These were only available in the UK.
RD 2
The RD 2 Tiburon, which was an update of the original Coupe, went on sale in 1999. A facelift altered the Coupe’s front and rear bumpers and the interior dash. The RD 2 sold in South Korea as the Tiburon Turbulence, powered with the same 2.0L engine as the pre-facelift version producing the same 104 kW and 180 Nm. Here are the full specifications of the engines of the first generation Hyundai Coupe:
- 1.6L inline 4-cylinder DOHC Beta— 83 kW, 143 Nm
- 1.8L inline 4-cylinder Beta (1997 Base)— 97 kW,171Nm
- 2.0L inline 4-cylinder Beta 1CVT (1997 FX, 1998–2001)— 104 kW, 180 Nm
The first generation of the Hyundai came standard with a 5-speed manual transmission with an optional 4-speed automatic w/ overdrive.
Second Generation (GK, 2002-2008)
Hyundai assembled the second generation, aka the Hyundai Tuscani or Hyundai Coupe SIII, in its different facilities in South Korea, Turkey, and Thailand and launched it in 2002. The restyled new Coupe came out with larger dimensions and an optional V6 engine. The base models continued using the 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engines, while GT V6 models got the new 2.7L engines from Hyundai's Santa Fe and Sonata. In the US, both models came with standard front side airbags and optional anti-lock brakes. The standard transmission was 5-speed manual transmission while a 4-speed automatic was optional. Buyers of the GT V6 model could opt for a 6-speed manual gearbox.
The base and GT V6 automatic models came with 16-inch tyres while the GT V6 manual model rode on 17-inch tyres. Leather upholstery and a high rear spoiler were standard on the GT V6 versions as well. In 2004, a facelift gave all the GT V6s 17-inch wheels. Hyundai also released a special version of the GT V6, featuring red-painted front brake callipers, multi-gauges above the radio, sport cloth upholstery, and a Kenwood stereo. It also had a "Special Edition" decal-style badge underneath "Tiburon". The SE was available in Jet Black, Sunburst Yellow, and Rally Red only.
In 2005 the models were reshuffled, with Hyundai only offering GS, GT and SE models. From this point onwards, the SE was a separate trim from the GT models. The GS model was outfitted with the 4-cylinder engine while the other two models came with the 2.7L V6 engine. Also, the SE had exclusive use of a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the other two models were available in either 5-speed manual (standard) or 4-speed automatic with manual shift (optional).
The Hyundai Coupe received more alterations with facelifts coming in 2005 (GK F/L) and 2007 (GK F L/2). The 2007 facelift involved significant changes compared to the 2005 facelift, and it was enough for some to designate the GK F L/2 as a new generation of the Hyundai Tiburon. However, most of the changes related to style and interior designing, and the engine specifications remained roughly the same in all markets.
Here are the full engine specs of the second generation Hyundai Tiburon.
- 1.6L Beta II G4ED CVVT I4 (2005-2006)— 77 kW, 144 Nm
- 2.0L Beta II G4GC I4 (2002-2005)— 100 kW, 179 Nm
- 2.0L Beta II G4GC I4 (2006-2007)— 105 kW, 186 Nm
- 2.7L Delta G6BA DOHC V6 (2002-2009)— 128 kW, 245 Nm
Safety equipment and rating
Here are some of the safety specifications which the Coupe featured:
- Side impact protection bars
- Traction control
- Alloy wheels (16" or 17")
- CD player with cassette and radio
- ESP (2007)
- Air conditioning/climate control
- Leather / Half-leather / Cloth interior
- Sports seats
- Heated front seats
- Gauges for torque, real-time fuel consumption, and battery voltage
- Power windows
- Power sunroof
- Anti-lock brakes
- Dual circuit with brake force distribution
- Front (variable rate) airbags and side airbags
- Trip computer
The 2004-2007 model of the vehicle received a 4-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Author:
Cyril N.