We've had rumors and spy shots before, but up until now we really didn't have any confirmation that Hyundai's new Tiburon replacement would switch from a pull-me to a push-me. With the new rwd platform that the company recently developed for its Genesis luxury sedan, it was expected that the next generation of affordable sports car from Korea would ditch its fwd layout and get some true sports car manners. Well, Hyundai just confirmed that when that car shows up in late 2008 or early 2009, it will indeed be rear-wheel drive.
As predicted, the car will share its rwd platform with the already-announced Genesis sedan, which we should see in about a year. The Tiburon replacement should show up half a year to a year after the sedan, and might even come as a convertible. In fact, there is also a suggestion that we'll be seeing several models based on this platform. We're not sure if the coupe will share the sedan's new V8 in addition to the expected V6, but it would make an interesting competitor for the Mustang if it did. Hyundai has officially said no, but there are still whispers, and if not a V8, some kind of boosted V6 in the top models might suffice.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
J.Crew @ Jul 30th 2007 3:00PM
Affordable RWD here we come! This will be interesting.
Tyk @ Jul 30th 2007 3:44PM
Mustangs can be had for pretty cheap nowadays; how much more affordable do you need.
J.Crew @ Jul 30th 2007 4:40PM
True, but I am thinking this new Tib will handle like a baby BMW and not a live rear axle pony car.
J.Crew @ Jul 31st 2007 1:00AM
Oh, and by saying my above statement I am not slamming the Mustang as some have done so on here. The live axle has been very effective for Ford. I just prefer a road carver with a little more direct feedback than the live rear axle provides. The live rear axle is still a great piece of technology that is cost effective in the performance world.
Castle @ Jul 31st 2007 5:24PM
Other then the Mustang, GM is brining back the sexy looking Camaro (independent suspensions all around). The 240SX was affordable RWD that wasn't successful. The base RX-8 is 26K. AWD WRX is also bloody cheap and affordable. There is already Solstice, Miata for likely what the Tiburon is going to be priced.
Its good to have competition in the market, but there have been (and still are) great affordable RWDs.
Skhardra @ Jul 30th 2007 3:01PM
As Toyota mulls over designing a car to appeal to enthusiasts, Hyundai is already out of the gates. Bravo!
J.Crew @ Jul 30th 2007 3:15PM
So true... so true. Let's form a committee to discuss what a good looking car could be... Notice that the Toyota game plan did not mention "fun to drive" as part of that suit filled rigid committee. Hyundai has been consulted by and learned from Porsche on suspension design in the past. I am sure the lessons learned from them will pay off on this new RWD fun toy. I have not been a huge Hyundai fan, but I am warming up to their newer stuff. This Tib could be a watershed product for performance enthusuasts. Like the original GTI for VW, or the 2002 for BMW. Cheap and fun - they better keep that price down though.
ermax18 @ Jul 30th 2007 5:35PM
My wife had a 2000 Tiburon 5MT. It was a blast to drive. Had ok torque down low (for an I4) but lacked up high. It also felt like it had a 50lb flywheel. It was slow to match revs. But this car handled so well. It had a good bit of roll but it turned in very well.
I would love to see them apply their handling knowledge to a RWD sport compact. Lets hope they stick with the I4 turbo and make say 260HP and keep it bellow 2700lbs.
felipe @ Jul 30th 2007 3:05PM
cant frigggiing wait.
John R @ Jul 30th 2007 3:05PM
Yes. This is what's up. If the V6 makes even close to 240bhp and is under $27k, then Hyundai has yet another reason to be taken seriously. Toyota, get off your but and bring back the Hachi-Roku.
1337 @ Jul 30th 2007 3:41PM
I'd say it needs 300 hp and be priced below $25k to really sell like crazy. A base 350Z has 306 hp, and can easily be negotiated down to 25k and it has the Z-car badge recognition. If Hyundai can undercut it in price or beat it on refinement, Nissan will have some serious redesigning to do.
1337 @ Jul 30th 2007 5:25PM
According to carsdirect, an RX-8 can be had for $22k. It doesn't have 300+ hp, but it does have a chuckable rwd platform and a screaming rotary engine. Unless the Hyundai is cheaper, I'll take an RX-8.
saabydoo @ Jul 30th 2007 3:06PM
Those spy shots clearly show a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine in addition to the rwd layout. How come no one picked up on, and reported this fact. That is quite a change and can lead to a lot of speculation...interesting and fun speculation!
Guy @ Sep 8th 2007 2:22PM
those engine spypics date back from may, and it was so obviously a rwd car
http://thecarfanatic.com/?p=983
felipe @ Jul 30th 2007 3:16PM
according to rumors, no turbo will be brought stateside.
again, this was a rumor.
vectorbug @ Jul 30th 2007 3:17PM
Kudos to them! Hopefully it won't be engineered to still produce massive amounts of understeer at the limit.
vectorbug @ Jul 30th 2007 3:18PM
Good for them. Hopefully its not an understeering beast like most cars designed for the lowest common denominator.
Nellydesign @ Jul 30th 2007 3:25PM
Hurrah for those guys. I sure hope it doesn't exhibit a lot of understee... oh wait...
addicted2sp33d @ Jul 30th 2007 3:32PM
Those pics of the engine look like a Direct Ignition (coil packs instead of distributor) Turbo I4 to me.
Ricky @ Jul 30th 2007 4:40PM
I agree with this statement, that looks like an I4 turbo. I don't know why everyone is throwing V6 and V8 left and right...