Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon.
The news came courtesy of John Krafcik, Hyundai's product development veep, who told Automotive News that the 2008 model year of the Tiburon would be its last. However, that doesn't mean the Tiburon is down for the count. Krafcik is insistent that the Genesis Coupe, which will be coming out about the same time the Tibby is euthanized, isn't a Tiburon replacement. "We are seriously looking at a small front-wheel-drive coupe to replace the Tiburon," Krafcik told AN, but he wouldn't give a time frame for its replacement. He did say that the Veloster coupe concept that debuted at the Seoul motor show last April would be the inspiration for Hyundai's new FWD, two-door offering. Hopefully, when the production version of the Veloster is unveiled, it'll carry the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot found in its RWD sibling.
[Source: Automotive News via Autoweek]
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
Volkswagen unveiling two-door Elise fighter in LA, new sports car
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
In The Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mercedes SLK55 AMG
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Guenther @ Apr 18th 2008 12:38PM
As long as the replacement is once again styled exceptionally well, while perhaps dropping 200#, it will be well received. Light weight with a 2liter and 2 liter turbo is all you need to have a fun scoot.
jsjs @ Apr 18th 2008 11:44PM
Yeah, the Tib and the 456 look so much alike that I can't tell them apart (sarcasm).
HotRodzNKustoms @ Apr 18th 2008 12:44PM
The current Tiburon is Hyundai's best looking car to date. Not including the new Genesis lineup.
Roost3r @ Apr 18th 2008 2:06PM
The 2003-2006 Tiburons had an amazing design for such a budget priced car, not to mention a lot of fun to drive. And Menice.. to answer your question. Collector's Item. ;)
Derek @ Apr 18th 2008 5:39PM
It doesn't count as Hyundais design when they shamelessly copied most of a Ferrari 456.
It IS the best looking car that Hyundai has sold to date.
Jenni @ Apr 20th 2008 7:25PM
It may be the best looking, but I lived with that horrible car for 5 long, painful years! Maybe I got the lemon of the product line, and the rest of the line was fine, I don't know, but what I do know is that the '03 Tiburon ruined Hyundai for me, possibly for good.
Jacob @ Apr 18th 2008 12:50PM
Not surprising at all. The car hasn't been updated for a long time. The recent gimmicky facelit doesn't count. Isn't Hyundai now working on an RWD coupe anyways?
Todd @ Apr 18th 2008 1:13PM
no.
Derek @ Apr 18th 2008 5:39PM
Todd = wrong
Dausman @ Apr 18th 2008 3:26PM
Yes
Genesis Coupe...RWD.....probably next spring(2009) as a 2010.
111 inch wheel base which is shorter than the Genesis Sedan.
Believe it will be powered by either a 2.0L 4 cyl Turbo or a 3.8liter V6......your choice......HP will vary for both depending on which fuel you use...regular or premium gasoline.
300Kid @ Apr 18th 2008 12:52PM
Now that the Genesis is coming, they should just take the Elantra line and make a coupe of it. It'd compete directly with the Civic coupe and countless others like the Scion TC. Offer it with the standard Elantra engine as a base and the turbo 4 for a Civic Si competitor. For that matter, they could drop the turbo 4 in the Elantra sedan and compete against Honda's entire Si line.
All of this also could be shared w/that new Kia coupe concept to save them money.
Seoultrain @ Apr 18th 2008 3:59PM
wow, that just makes too much sense.
psarhjinian @ Apr 18th 2008 12:54PM
Reasonable idea, although it'd be better if they threw Kia (their budget/sporty brand, supposedly) a bone here.
jgp @ Apr 18th 2008 1:12PM
Yeah. Let Hyundai have the Genesis coupe, and give Kia the Tibby replacement.
Bruxell @ Apr 18th 2008 12:59PM
I'll miss this car, it was proof the Koreans could build something interesting without having to import a production line from Britan. It wasn't really a great sportscar, but it had a big heart.
tankd0g @ Apr 18th 2008 1:01PM
Will we see that KIA Koup concept with a Hyndai badge perhaps?
PAT @ Apr 18th 2008 1:07PM
Saw a guy the other day with a brand new Tiburon, felt sorry for him.
Dude @ Apr 18th 2008 1:15PM
You feel sorry for people driving nice cars?
I suppose you openly weep whenever you drive alongside a Porsche.
Matt @ Apr 18th 2008 1:18PM
You call a vehicle with absolutely no original design cues nice?
You must love $2500 Indian and Chinese cars. Jackass.
Todd @ Apr 18th 2008 1:25PM
So I take it Dude was driving the tib Pat saw?