Introduction

Hyundai's Tiburon offers a bold design and spirited performance and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Its aggressive, muscular styling is backed by a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, a fully independent sports suspension and optional four-wheel antilock disc brakes. One of these cars won the Motorola Cup manufacturer's championship for Hyundai last year, a professional series of endurance races for showroom stock cars. Most sport coupes with this level of performance come at a higher price, while similarly priced coupes can't match the Tiburon's performance. It is a fun car to drive. It's balanced well in corners. It offers brisk acceleration performance. It's backed by Hyundai's warranty, which has been extended to five years or 60,000 miles. It comes with five years worth of free 24-hour roadside assistance that covers emergency towing and lock-out service. So the Tiburon is a great value wrapped in a sporty package.

Walkaround

Two models are available, both with power steering and power windows. The $14,034 Tiburon is equipped with rear drum brakes and 14-inch wheels; however, a $1,383 package is needed by most folks to add air conditioning and a cassette stereo, which brings the total to a still reasonable $15,417. The $15,334 Tiburon FX comes standard with rear disc brakes, 15-inch alloy wheels, a spoiler and fog lights, but air conditioning, cruise control and a stereo add $400, bringing the total to $15,734. Even with the options packages, those prices are attractive when measured against the '99 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Among the primary competitors, only the Pontiac Sunfire GT Coupe is less expensive than the Tiburon FX. The FX is distinguished from the base Tiburon by its rear spoiler, fog lights and alloy wheels. The Tiburon has attracted attention as one of the newest sport coupes on the street. Styling is half the battle in this class, and the Tiburon presents a bold stance in what is becoming a bland world of sport coupes. Bulging fenders and sharp creases give Hyundai's new shark an aggressive appearance. The grilleless front end is low with a one-piece body-colored wrap-around bumper with an integrated air dam that channels cooling air into the engine compartment. Ellipsoid projector headlights are stylish and throw a sharply defined beam that minimizes glare to oncoming cars. Frameless doors with flush-mounted glass and aerodynamic side mirrors help minimize interior noise. Rear styling is rounded and aerodynamic with integrated bumper and elegantly shaped jewel-like combination lamps. FX models come equipped with a rear wiper and washer. With a coefficient of drag of 0.33, the sleek lines help minimize noise and maximize fuel efficiency. In addition to the sports equipment, the FX gets nicer cloth upholstery, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, a more elaborate sound system, a lid for the center console, power door locks, power outside mirrors and optional cruise control. The FX fog lamps are integrated into the standard front air dam for a clean appearance, though they add little illumination. Two-tone leather seats with a matching steering wheel and shift knob are an option for the FX. The Tiburon's chassis is commendably stiff, a key element in ride quality and handling. MacPherson struts are used for the front suspension, while the rear is a dual link design. The shock absorbers are gas-charged units mounted inside the coil springs, which resist heat buildup and deliver a controlled ride over rough surfaces. Antiroll bars fore and aft reduce body lean in corners. All the components are aimed at delivering the agile handling qualities we expect from a sport coupe. As mentioned, the base model employs drum brakes at the rear, while the FX gets rear discs. Disc brakes resist fade better than drums, but only hard driving for extended periods reveals much difference in performance and both models use discs up front where 90 percent of the braking force is accomplished.

Interior Features

The interior is functional and attractive. The formed foam seats are firm, supportive and comfortable, with thigh bolsters that provide good side support during hard cornering. The base model is comfortable, but the FX benefits from a driver's seat with tilt adjustment, lumbar support and fabric accents. There is ample leg, head and shoulder room up front. The wraparound contoured dash makes the driver feel like a pilot without inducing claustrophobia. Attractive curves over the top of the vents are reminiscent of bygone era of sports cars. The ventilation controls are big Lexus-like knobs that we found easy to operate when the car is moving. Power windows are standard on both models. The big ovoid speedometer and tachometer are stylish, as well as highly legible. Slender front roof pillars contribute to excellent forward visibility, a view enhanced by bulging front fenders clearly visible from the front seats. The back seats are roomier than those in the Celica or Eclipse. Three of us plus a huge load of camera equipment, test equipment and luggage were comfortable in a lengthy morning rush ride drive around downtown Montreal. We give the interior a big thumbs up. The trunk is surprisingly roomy. The Tiburon offers more trunk space than the Sunfire, but not as much as the Eclipse. It swallowed a king-size presentation portfolio laid flat, the passenger car equivalent of putting a sheet of plywood in the back of a pickup truck.