Spy Shots: Hyundai's RWD Coupe in Death Valley, U.S.A.
by John Neff on Aug 1st 2007 at 1:35AM 
click on above image to view 6 spy shots of the new Hyundai RWD Coupe
Hyundai has just confirmed that the successor to the Tiburon will be a rear-wheel-drive coupe, so we can now stop the speculation that the prototype seen in spy shots for the past few months is a new model completely unrelated to the next-gen Tib. While the Tibby was a fine looking coupe, its appearance couldn't change the fact that it was wrong-wheel-drive. The new car will be a proper rear-wheel-drive coupe, and as these new spy shots reveal, it's closer to production than we think. Hyundai states it could appear as soon as late 2008 or early 2009, in fact.
KGP Photography caught the new RWD Tiburon testing in Death Valley, U.S.A., and while most of the design's details are shrouded by covers, the general silhouette of the new car is true to the shape of the current car. It looks larger in all dimensions, particularly width, and the tires are fatter than anything found on a current Hyundai car. We also dig some upscale touches spotted like the turn signals mounted on the side-view mirrors and the projector beam lamps.
Since we know the new Tiburon will share its RWD platform with the upcoming Genesis luxury sedan, we can also assume that the coupe will at least be offered with a V8 like its four-door brother. Further evidence to support this assumption is the fact that KGP spotted a Ford Mustang in the Hyundai prototype's caravan, no doubt along for the ride as a benchmark.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James Donovan 1:59AM (8/01/2007)
Call me crazy, but that looks fantastic. Just look at the proportions!
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Christopher H. Kim 2:15AM (8/01/2007)
O EM JEE
This is looking GREAT!
-drools
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theo 2:30AM (8/01/2007)
This is what the Toyota Celica could have been. Bravo, Hyundai.
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simianspeedster 2:38AM (8/01/2007)
This car is a really shrewd move on Hyundai's part. Consider the current competition in the likely price range of this (I'm guessing $26-34K depending on config):
1) The next generation Accord Coupe will try to funnel ~270HP through the front wheels
2) Solara? Scion tC? Toyota's has no product in this class.
3) The Mitsubishi Eclipse is growing long in tooth and it's not too sporty anyhow
4) The Nissan Altima Coupe pushes 270HP through the front wheels.
5) The WRX and Evo are a different kettle of fish for a different audience
6) The Ford Mustang is built like utter plastic crap and drives like a POS
Of course the devil is in the details, but it's possible that this car's greatest competition will come from the BMW 1 Series, the Nissan Z and the Infinity G37 Coupe, and who ever thought we'd be saying that about a Hyundai?
-SimianSpeedster
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dutch 3:24AM (8/01/2007)
It will also be a competition for the RX-8.
I am skeptical that they will really offer a v8 in this thing, since the prototype has the turbo I4. The V8 is quite a different beast.
It would be sweet if they put the Sonata engine in it.
Realisticism 5:18AM (8/01/2007)
Hyundai is knocking out some great looking pieces. I am taking a 'wait and see' approach on the powertrain and performance. It's not a big deal when Hyundai puts out a Veracruz, Santa Fe, Sonata or Azera that'll compete with their competition, but Hyundai has never had to ride performance-wise with the big boys like the Infinitii or a Bimmer. It's gonna be a major stretch for Hyundai to crank out a Tib that'll drive with them but if they do, this will give Hyundai some serious cred with even the biggest Hyundai-haters.
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stefan 5:41AM (8/01/2007)
They have a ford mustang in the caravan watch out, they aint aiming very high.
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Christopher H. Kim 11:10AM (8/01/2007)
You in denial since Hyundai's bringing out a affordable rwd coupe and not Honda or Toyota? Stop living in the past and wake up.
John R 6:44AM (8/01/2007)
This is looking great, I can't wait to see this auto. As someone has said before, Hyundai is really shrewd. If they do this right they'll have a real winner.
If this comes out next year, 2008 is going to be a great year. New Evo X, STI, GT-R and this Tib?
My anticipation for this almost outweighs my anticipation for the next GT-R...almost.
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Sean Flanagan 9:59AM (8/01/2007)
If this comes out next year, 2008 is going to be a great year. New Evo X, STI, GT-R and this Tib?
...and the Solstice Coupe, BMW 1-series, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and new Mustang. I'd say that 2008 looks even more exciting when you consider that there will be at least 6 brand-new models coming out with RWD for under $30k.
Bizzle 9:26AM (8/01/2007)
Wow, not much love for the Mustang around here huh?
Anyway, I think the front end will look a lot like the Elantra http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/7/7b/20070108195120!Hyundai-Elantra-wagon.jpg
Also the back looks really chunky like the new eclipse. I HOPE it turns out to be a fun tuner platform, but I think for that to work they need a 6 cyl in the lineup and it needs to have decent handling to begin with.
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tanooki2003 3:18PM (9/01/2007)
Gee real smart analytical skills.. (rolls eyes) Like Hyundai is going to use a previous elantra design for the next gen rwd coupe.
It's as ridiculous as saying that the next gen pontiac G6 is going to use the front end of an early 90's pontiac grand am.
Rodstar 9:23AM (8/01/2007)
For those of us that remember when Hyundai first appeared on the scene and all the smack talk they endured for years. This is suh-weet news. If they can nail the performance tuning, and their track record shows that they most likely will, I would seriously consider buying a Hyundai. Did I just say that I would consider buying a Huyandai? Boy, times sure have changed from the 1980's...
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dave 10:15AM (8/01/2007)
i've been holding out for the new evo x or the 1 series... Now i think ill have to put this into my must test drive list..
what is really going to make or break my decision is the ability to modify and tune these cars..
the evo x has a new engine and may or may not be easy to modify. the new clutchless transmission has shiftpoints programmed so making more power also means programming new shift points in the transmission. Thats a whole new world to alot of tuners and code to figure out. Yes it will be offered with a manual transmission for the die hards but paddle shifting is cool.
the 135i's TT-I6 with bolt ons and ecu piggy back can make some nice power...
my guess for the tiburon?
Turbo 4 engine that will make loads of power. why? the gripe of most major publications had with the Tiburon prior was that it was underpowered.
A turbo 4 would keep this car nimble and give this car almost cult status with drift and tuner die hards and tuners creating a huge aftermarket parts bin.
J.Crew 10:02AM (8/01/2007)
This is definitely bigger than the current Tib. They must be aiming between the pony cars and the FWD sedan/coupes (Accord/Solara/Altima) to find a unique niche. It will be interesting to see the final results.
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Aetius 10:06AM (8/01/2007)
The Mustang drives like a POS? Since when? The Mustang is made by a company which has decades of racing and sports-car building experience. Hyundai has barely any experience in making a sports car and I can bet it will get spanked by any car from the Civic Si and up in the handling department.
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John R 10:19AM (8/01/2007)
If Hyundai can draw upon this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vXIz8P1bdLc
Then the car will be worth the test drive. Save the hate for the playerhaters ball.
EnviroBob 10:55AM (8/01/2007)
Hyundai has several World Rally Championships to its credit. You'd think with all the people posting their contempt for NASCAR, while espousing their vast knowledge and love for all other forms of racing, someone would have pointed this out previously. Then again, it's not surprising that those with all the "racing knowledge" would also be the ones claiming Hyundai would not have the know-how to make a car handle. It wouldn't be Autoblog then, would it?
simianspeedster 5:36PM (8/01/2007)
Allow me to clarify. The Mustang drives like a POS because it is a POS. It's sloppy, heavy, plasticky, has a solid rear axle, mushy brakes and distant steering. The only thing it has going for it are retro looks (if you like them) and brute power on the cheap in V8 form.
Let's wait to judge tyhe Hyundai until we drive it. At least it'll come with an independent rear suspension, like just about every other car in this class since 1995...except the Mustang, of course.
-SimianSpeedster
Brian W 5:41PM (8/01/2007)
They have NEVER made one for the public! That includes ride AND handling. The competition is higher when people buy for more than price, which is Hyundai's ONLY advantage.