click above image for more spy shots of the mysterious RWD coupe from Hyundai
The Veracruz, the rear-wheel-drive Genesis luxury sedan and various other new rear-wheel-drive offerings will take Hyundai into segments it's never been, but the one vehicle about which we're most excited is this, a rear-wheel-drive coupe from Hyundai.
These new spy pics, reportedly taken in Korea, show the new coupe out on public roads. It appears to be similar to the vehicle we saw in a previous set of spy shots, right down to the same type of wheels. The problem is that there's much more we don't know about this vehicle than what we do know. Will the rear-wheel-drive coupe be branded as the next-generation Tiburon or be sold alongside the automaker's front-wheel-drive coupe? Is it based on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as the Genesis? Will it feature a supercharged or turbocharged V6, Hyundai's new Lambda V8, or both?
Thanks for the tip, Chris!
[Source: NewTiburon.com]
Speculation has it that this RWD coupe will spell the end for the Tiburon, which may be moved over to Kia after its current product cycle. The larger, RWD coupe, however, is reportedly meant to compete with the Infiniti G37/350Z and other similar vehicles. Most expect the base model to feature either a turbocharged or supercharged version of the company's 3.8L V6, though even if it were naturally aspirated, we expect the base model of this coupe to blow the doors off the best Tiburon. The V8 model will obviously get Hyundai's new Lambda V8 and develop at least 300 horsepower, as well. Of course, we have every reason to believe it will come with loads of safety features and a price that considerably undercuts its competition, as that's the Hyundai way. A forum poster at the linked source believes the yet-to-be-named RWD coupe will be launched in Korea in March 2008, which, if true, means this model would likely enter the U.S. mid to late 2008.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bonita @ Jul 16th 2007 3:41PM
What a disappointment. It looks like the Pontiac Grand-Ma.
Danny @ Jul 16th 2007 5:46PM
you are a disappointment it doesn't even look like a Pontiac Grand-Ma
sb @ Jul 16th 2007 3:43PM
it seems lil too long, expecially in the rear quarter.
jonathan @ Jul 16th 2007 3:44PM
how can you say that from these spy photos, that this is the RWD coupe, and not just a new tiburon? enlighten me.
ermax18 @ Jul 16th 2007 4:13PM
I asked myself the same thing until I looked at the older set of spyshots here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/10/spy-shots-hyundais-rwd-coupe/
Look at the engine bay.. dead giveaway. Check out the turbo too. Looks like it will be a very cool car in a class of it's own. I think the current Tiburon is a very nice looking car, lets hope this one will look nice too. Not sure about the little Hitler looking front grill though. :)
IamZardoz @ Jul 16th 2007 3:50PM
Looks bigger than the Tiburon to me, though it seems to share the basic design. Have to add I think the newest Tiburon looks pretty good so Im curious how this will turn out.
Ryan @ Jul 16th 2007 3:50PM
I agree with Jonathan Looks like a new Tiburon to me.
mk @ Jul 16th 2007 3:57PM
the scooping line at the bottom of the rear quarter window is poisonous. Ruined the whole thing. That doesn't look camo-d, it looks like the window is actually that shape.
I know that if it weren't there, and just swept up from the belt line, that it would look like the aston trademark profile, but that is just not right.
Maybe it is the camo, but this doesn't look like an especially compact car. B-pillar to rear bumper is pretty long for a coupe in this class.
NT user @ Jul 16th 2007 4:02PM
How this looks like a grand am is beyond me.
Luis @ Jul 16th 2007 4:13PM
The Tiburon right now looks really good and so does the Genesis. It will be interesting to see what it is under the masking!
Ken @ Jul 16th 2007 4:17PM
Just give me a good ~300 HP NA V6 and focus on making a good drive train (everything else), chassis, brakes, etc. Maybe then it will not be $30,000 or more.
jason @ Jul 16th 2007 4:33PM
sounds like a 350z
felipe @ Jul 16th 2007 4:26PM
cant wait.
this should be great for Hyundai.
It is also nice to see they announce, you see mules and things progressing along, unlike GM and the other 1.5 who announce, change mind, change mind again, make small models, protos, cancel, contemplate, announce again. shift possible plants, make another announcment.
satcomvato @ Jul 16th 2007 4:46PM
I think it looks fantastic. Hyundai is really headed in a good direction.
former skeptic @ Jul 16th 2007 4:53PM
OH MY GOD!!! I can't frickin' wait for this coupe! If it's below 30k, it's in my driveway!!! with a 10 yr warranty, it can't lose.
Carlos @ Jul 16th 2007 5:00PM
I expect it to be heavy and be, in spirit, more like the Mustang than the 350Z but without the power. Which I don't really have a problem with... I know better than to expect every new sporty car to weigh 2,500lbs, have 300hp, and cost $20,000.
Jens @ Jul 16th 2007 6:32PM
Hyundai-vice Krafcik said something about an impressive power-to-weight ratio. Sounds promising ...
Chevy @ Jul 16th 2007 5:03PM
Any one remember the 80's Hyundai Stellar? It was I think on of the few hyundai models i know of with RWD, along with the old pony....
In my heydays here in Malta a friend of mine swapped his old stellar's engine, with a Toyota 2.0 turbo unit.... And God it drifted like a true drift king!! Side ways along Malta's winding and bumpy roads it went!!
ENJOY!!! :@@@
hmm @ Jul 16th 2007 5:12PM
Uhh,, Lamda V8??
There's Lamda V6 and Tau V8 but never heard of Lamda V6.
hmm @ Jul 16th 2007 5:17PM
Ooops Correction,
never heard of Lamda V8