<![CDATA[New Model Tiburon, RWD?]]>[quote author=Mazda_Power link=topic=2039.msg29934#msg29934 date=1167670345]
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Hyundai will abandoning front-wheel drive for its next Tiburon.

Due to be unveiled towards the end of 2007 before a local debut the following year, the rear-wheel drive coupe will be a "serious sports car", according to a senior Hyundai Motor Company executive.

Although details are scant, it is believed the Tiburon replacement will be a three-door coupe featuring many of the styling cues as well as the general proportions displayed on the HCD-8 Concept Car, which made its global debut at the 2004 Detroit motor show and has since appeared in Melbourne.

The HCD-8, as it stands, is powered by a supercharged version of a current 2.7-litre DOHC V6 with a six-speed manual gearbox.

However, variations of Hyundai's new-generation 3.3 and 3.8-litre V6 engines are expected to debut in the 2+2 seater sports car, with the latter one likely to be the range-topper.

"Yes, we are developing rear-wheel drive for the next sports car," was the surprising response from Hyun Soon Lee, Executive Senior Vice President for Hyundai Motor Corporation.

This remark came after a suggestion from the gathered press at the opening of the 2005 Seoul motor show in South Korea that the company seek the passionate sports car route to increase its global youth appeal, rather than simply focus on quality.

Mr Lee's remark even caught out other Hyundai executives.

It is a surprising development for a model that started out as the very unsporty two-door derivation of the front-wheel drive Hyundai X2 Excel of 1990 called the S-Coupe.

That car's predecessor jumped up to the 1995 J2 Lantra platform to become the SX, FX and SFX Coupe until the current, sharper - but still front-wheel drive - Tiburon came into the fray in 2002.

A rear-wheel drive sports car is in line with Hyundai's desire to push its vehicles further upmarket.

Such a model willl probably share many components with a rear-wheel drive sedan in much the same way that Nissan's 350Z has spawned a range of mostly-US market Infinity products such as the G35.

There has been speculation for some time that Hyundai was considering releasing a luxury line of vehicles above the current, Sonata-derived Grandeur - which has just had a complete makeover and is the star of Hyundai's stand at Seoul.

Adding further credence to Hyundai's sports image push is its re-entry into the World Rally Championship from 2008.

The company says it will field an all-wheel drive "sports car" very loosely derived from the yet-to-be released Accent replacement, the front-wheel drive MC4 small car.
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Where's good old GD?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/topic/8916/new-model-tiburon-rwdRSS for NodeThu, 28 May 2026 04:36:32 GMTTue, 02 Jan 2007 05:19:45 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:10:28 GMT]]>I think it looks alright. The first tiburon looked awful, the current one looks pretty good actually. This one looks 90% hot and then 10% weird. THe big key is that it is RWD. Since many in the asian import scene put crazy bodykits on the car anyway, what does it matter what the stock bodywork looks like? The key is that the platform is RWD, which will give it a bit more serious attentino than previous hyundai offerings. I've seen a few lightly-modded tiburons, so the interest is there. Adding a little Go to the show can't hurt.

Hyundai has been making credible cars int he US, one segment at a time. I remember in the early 80s you could get Hyundais in some parts of the US. They were truly awful (much like the 70s Japanese cars in the US). Fastfoward 20 years... I knew the tide had turned for Hyundai when I was riding with an older guy (60s+) who was a van driver (one of those airport shuttle services). We were cruising on the highway and he pointed out an XG350 sedan. "See that thing? damn thing drives like a lincoln.. i couldn't beleive it"

When old people are ready to buy a Hyundai after growing up knowing that owning a big ass Lincoln was what old people did, Hyundai is a credible contender in the big-car market. The medium and smaller cars have made them contenders in the appliance car market, and their barbie-SUVs and vans have done well for them in the barbie SUV and family van markets. IOW, they've established credibility with non-enthusiasts and those without as much brand loyalty. That gives them the base to start going after more markets - like the sport compact segment.

An RWD tiburon is a credible entry. Hopefully this will push Honda to release more RWD cars in the US.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136882https://fargostreet.com/post/136882Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:10:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:27:52 GMT]]>Foot clan man...foot clan..

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136872https://fargostreet.com/post/136872Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:27:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 06:10:16 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
Japan doesnt have shit for a military, and ROK soldiers are crazy

It doesn't matter, Gojirra would kill them all.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136819https://fargostreet.com/post/136819Tue, 09 Jan 2007 06:10:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:05:25 GMT]]>I kinda like it maybe you could hide a giant FMIC behind that grille. The real question is will anybody take a serious sports car from hyundai seriously?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136519https://fargostreet.com/post/136519Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:05:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:58:36 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
Japan doesnt have shit for a military, and ROK soldiers are crazy
Japan would just use the foot clan...Ninja turtles FTW.:icon_cheers:

The Foot Clan > ROK

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136220https://fargostreet.com/post/136220Fri, 05 Jan 2007 22:58:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:29:29 GMT]]>id buy it

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136211https://fargostreet.com/post/136211Fri, 05 Jan 2007 21:29:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:20:07 GMT]]>i think it looks pretty badass, just change the front end up a little (headlights and grille)

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136208https://fargostreet.com/post/136208Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:20:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:20:24 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
Japan doesnt have shit for a military, and ROK soldiers are crazy
X1,000:icon_pirat: I have met a few they are fun to hang with but definately crazy.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136206https://fargostreet.com/post/136206Fri, 05 Jan 2007 19:20:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:08:02 GMT]]>Japan doesnt have shit for a military, and ROK soldiers are crazy

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136201https://fargostreet.com/post/136201Fri, 05 Jan 2007 18:08:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:01:09 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
Korea > Japan
If japan and Korea got into a fight, i think japan would win.

Korea would fight dirty.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136186https://fargostreet.com/post/136186Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:01:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Fri, 05 Jan 2007 14:54:43 GMT]]>Hyundai has made great strides in the past 10 years. When honda and toyota first came to the US, people said yeah but its still a honda...etc..look at them now. Hyundai has models that compete and match or pass the quality of other top manufactures. Look at the first tiburon that thing was an eye sore, second gen not to bad, this concept looks like they are heading in the right direction. No, i'm not a hyundai fan, but i am a fan of the auto industry. It's nice to see that they are not afraid to make a bold statement rather than produce boring models. Look at GM, most of their models are ho-hum=boring and sales prove it. So alright hyundai, way to go, how much of this concept makes it into production remains to be seen, fact is, the new kid on the block can no longer be kicked around.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/136185https://fargostreet.com/post/136185Fri, 05 Jan 2007 14:54:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:03:45 GMT]]>If anyone has done any reading, Hyundai's manufacturing process is even more lean than Toyota, they are doing very well for themselves buy doing thr little things correct.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135695https://fargostreet.com/post/135695Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:03:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:43:20 GMT]]>

wannabe wrote:
Hyundai and kia rip off all japanese car designs, and compromise quality to keep the prices low.

Korea > Japan

Japanese people have funny teeth.

Hyundai's don't compromise the quality, and the generally rip off german / british designs.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135684https://fargostreet.com/post/135684Wed, 03 Jan 2007 02:43:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 23:21:51 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
looks more like an aston martin rip off to me then a supra...
i agree

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135640https://fargostreet.com/post/135640Tue, 02 Jan 2007 23:21:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:54:27 GMT]]>

wannabe wrote:
Hyundai and kia rip off all japanese car designs, and compromise quality to keep the prices low.

I dont think that is true anymore at leastnot for the actual hyundais.if they skimped on quality so much then they couldnt afford to have a warrenty like they do. They would go broke, and from what I hear they are one of the fastest growing companies.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135634https://fargostreet.com/post/135634Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:54:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:42:24 GMT]]>Hyundai and kia rip off all japanese car designs, and compromise quality to keep the prices low.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135633https://fargostreet.com/post/135633Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:42:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:27:06 GMT]]>

AFSil80 wrote:
Ever notice how Hyundai always seems to try to copy the Supra bodylines?

This one looks so damned similar to the concept car that everyone sees...

Or maybe it's just me.

looks more like an aston martin rip off to me then a supra...

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135625https://fargostreet.com/post/135625Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:27:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:05:28 GMT]]>

bader3245 wrote:
it is a CONCEPT car....

the whole car is one piece, assuming the production model will not be???

I gathered that thanks though.:icon_thumleft:

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135621https://fargostreet.com/post/135621Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:05:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:00:08 GMT]]>

Jim wrote:
I like it
Me too. I'd love to have a rwd Tibby.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135563https://fargostreet.com/post/135563Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:00:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:41:01 GMT]]>I like it

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135560https://fargostreet.com/post/135560Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:41:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 07:34:17 GMT]]>Kdm Ftl

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135544https://fargostreet.com/post/135544Tue, 02 Jan 2007 07:34:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:56:26 GMT]]>

2slo50h wrote:
Going to be an expensive accident as the whole car is one peice, assuming the production model will not be??? (Note where there should be a front bumper cover and rear bumper cover.)

Also where are the damn door handles?

it is a CONCEPT car....

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135542https://fargostreet.com/post/135542Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:56:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:32:25 GMT]]>Ever notice how Hyundai always seems to try to copy the Supra bodylines?

This one looks so damned similar to the concept car that everyone sees...

Or maybe it's just me.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135540https://fargostreet.com/post/135540Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:32:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Model Tiburon, RWD? on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:01:51 GMT]]>Car looks goofy as hell, wont be the ugliest car on the road but damn.

I love the GINORMOUS grill with the Hyundai badge....

Going to be an expensive accident as the whole car is one peice, assuming the production model will not be??? (Note where there should be a front bumper cover and rear bumper cover.)

Also where are the damn door handles?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/135535https://fargostreet.com/post/135535Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:01:51 GMT