2003 Hyundai Tiburon

HYUNDAI'S TIBURON SPORTS COUPE IS ALL-NEW FOR 2003
V6 Power, 6-Speed Transmission Now Available

Three words describe the all-new 2003 Hyundai Tiburon – Styling, Performance and Value. The Tiburon is all new for 2003 and it went on sale during the first quarter of 2002. 'Each new Hyundai vehicle must enhance Hyundai's brand image,' said Hyundai President and CEO Finbarr O'Neill. 'The all-new 2003 Tiburon does just that. The styling, the performance and the value that Hyundai buyers expect are all there. And it's available at a remarkable price.' 2003 Tiburon prices range from $15,999 to $19,997.

The new Tiburon was first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2001 and made its North American debut at the South Florida International Auto Show in October.

Hyundai's first generation Tiburon was a direct descendent of the HCD-I and HCD-II concept cars with flowing lines and lots of curves. The second generation

Tiburon, introduced in 2000, brought a harder edge to the original lines and for 2003 the platform and the car are all new. There are two models available: the Tiburon and the Tiburon GT V6.

WORLD-CLASS STYLING

A vehicle's exterior styling is key to the all-important first impression and the new 2003 Tiburon makes a memorable first impression with it's clean, bold design. The 2003 Tiburon, styled in Korea, features both straight lines and curved lines to emphasize vitality and strength.

Large, low profile high-performance tires on alloy wheels fill the wheelwells, and give the Tiburon an aggressive stance, while both the windshield angle and the backlight angle are steeply raked. Those features, combined with the vehicle's high beltline and 'chopped' greenhouse, make the new Tiburon look fast even when it's parked.

A CHOICE OF SOPHISTICATED, HIGH-TECH ENGINES

The big news for performance enthusiasts is that the Tiburon's performance matches its good looks. For the first time, a powerful, high-tech V6 engine is available in the Tiburon. It's the same strong, smooth all-aluminum DOHC 2.7-liter V6 used in the Hyundai Sonata and the hot-selling Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle. Rated at 170 horsepower, the engine can be fitted with another first time offering – a 6-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)

This combination, available in the GT V6, is fitted with the GT handling package that includes revised suspension and 17-inch wheels and tires. In factory track tests the GT V6 reached an electronically limited top speed of 132 mph.



TRANSMISSION CHOICES

The new Tiburon is equipped with a revised, smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. Hyundai's sporty 4-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual shift is available as an option.

The Tiburon GT V6 is also fitted with the revised 5-speed manual transmission and the 4-speed Shiftronic is also available. But, for the first time since the Tiburon was introduced in 1997, there is a 6-speed manual transmission available. Drivers who demand the best and love the 'snick-snick' sound and feel of a precise 6-speed transmission will appreciate this option.

AN ALL-NEW CHASSIS

The previous version of the Tiburon was built on the same platform as the Elantra, but the all-new Tiburon has its own chassis, dubbed the GK.

The new platform features a slightly longer wheelbase (99.6-in. vs. 97.4-in.) and is slightly longer (173-in. vs. 170.9-in) than the previous version. As a result there is more room inside for the driver and passengers -- and the extra room provides extra comfort. Headroom, legroom and shoulder room have all been increased to make the new Tiburon even more comfortable.

The new Tiburon chassis is also stiffer and more refined. A front subframe has been added for improved strength and revised, third-generation hydraulic engine mounts help isolate engine vibration from the cabin.



The Tiburon features independent suspension both front and rear. In front, MacPherson struts are used with offset coil springs, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. A major suspension change for the new Tiburon has the anti-roll bar mounted directly to the strut for more efficient operation.

At the rear the Tiburon is fitted with a strut-type multi-link rear suspension, gas-filled hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar. On the GT V6 the suspension layout remains the same but spring rates go up approximately 10 percent, the gas-charged shock absorbers have stiffer valving and the size of the anti-roll bar is increased from 19 mm to 21 mm in front and from 20 mm to 22 mm in the rear.

A ROOMY, COMFORTABLE COCKPIT

From the start, each generation of Tiburon has provided the driver and front seat passenger with a comfortable cockpit environment from which to enjoy the driving experience. The new Tiburon carries on this tradition of driving control and comfort with a spacious, ergonomic cockpit and the protection of driver and passenger front and side impact air bags.

The seating position is designed with the driver in mind. The seats offer ample side support for enthusiastic driving, but also allow for easy entry and exit. The controls are intutive; in the place the driver expects them to be and easy to use. The instrument panel features two large, easy-to-read analog gauges; speedometer and tachometer placed directly in front of the driver. Leather seating surfaces are standard on the GT V6.

Recognizing that enjoying a quality stereo system is part of a fun driving experience, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo is standard on the Tiburon and a 360 watt seven- speaker Infinity AM/FM/CD stereo with bass-pumping sub-woofer is standard on the GT V6. In addition, the sound system controls are placed at the top of the center stack for easy access.

THE HYÚNDAI VALÚE STORY CONTINÚES

Sport coupes with this level of equipment, performance and refinement usually have starting prices well above $20,000. The value-packed 2003 Hyundai Tiburon tops out below that price.

A fully loaded Tiburon GT V6 with V6, 6-speed, leather seating, 17-inch wheel and tire package and even a sunroof is priced at $19,997. That is value.

The standard equipment list includes many features that are not available or available only as options on other sport coupes. Key items on the standard equipment list include: air conditioning, AM/FM/CD Stereo with 6 speakers, keyless remote entry system, cruise control, fog lamps, power windows and door locks, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, 4-wheel disc brakes, P205/55-16 Michelin tires mounted on 16 x 6.5-in alloy wheels and tilt steering column.

The Tiburon GT V6 includes all of the equipment from the Tiburon plus the 170-horsepower V6 engine, leather seating surfaces, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, upgraded AM/FM/CD Infinity stereo with 7 speakers, body colored rear spoiler, sport-tuned suspension and 215/45-17 Michelin tires mounted on 17.0 x 7.0-inch alloy wheels.

Options include anti-lock brakes and power operated moonroof.

SPORT OPTION PACKAGES

There are four special option packages available for the Tiburon GTV6. ÚltraSports 1 combines the 6-speed manual transmission with aluminum foot pedals and the bodycolor high rear spoiler and deletes the leather seating surfaces.

This package is designed for the enthusiast who is planning to further modify the Tiburon and will most likely be installing aftermarket racing seats.

The ÚltraSports 2 package includes the 6-speed manual transmission, aluminum foot pedals and bodycolor high spoiler, but leaves the standard leather seating surfaces in place. ÚltraSports 3 provides even more performance and luxury items including the 6-speed manual transmission, aluminum foot pedals bodycolor high spoiler, power sunroof and ABS.

The Sprint package is designed for the serious performance enthusiast on a budget. The package includes the 5-speed manual transmission, ABS and the aluminum foot pedals. This package also deletes the leather seating surfaces.

SAFETY FEATÚRES

The Tiburon carries a full complement of safety features, starting with the car's strong unibody construction, integrated crumple zones, high-strength steel side impact beams and front and rear five-mile per hour energy absorbing bumpers. Driver and passenger front and side impact airbags are standard.

AMERICA'S BEST WARRANTY

Tiburon buyers also benefit from the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty that includes 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection and 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage as well.

In addition, Tiburon buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance at no extra charge for five full years (no mileage limit). The warranty also includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. Anti-perforation is provided for five years or 100,000 miles. There is no deductible on any of these coverages.

Styling, Quality, Value and the protection of America's Best Warranty are all reasons why Hyundai sales in the Ú.S. have more than tripled since 1999. The 2003 Tiburon is sure to keep Hyundai's sales accelerating.

Source - Hyundai