Rear-wheel drive and V8 power are the enticing ingredients of the upcoming Hyundai Tiburon. The current car is likes for its looks, but lacking in power – could the new model be the recipe for success?
With a hefty V8 engine nestled in that long nose, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this mystery car was a Corvette of some description – only this disguised vehicle was snapped in South Korea and has been identified as the 2010 Hyundai Tiburon.
The new coupe is larger than its predecessor and features a rear-wheel-drive layout and is based on the BH platform that has already featured on the company’s Genesis saloon concept. Although well cladded, the Tiburon’s styling shows hints of the company’s HDC-8 concept that was revealed at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, especially those swept-back headlamps and pronounced haunches.
It is believed that one of the engine options for this car is Hyundai’s newly developed 4,6-litre V8, codenamed Tau. First shown in the Genesis, the Tau V8 features variable valve timing, a variable induction system, limited-slip differential and is mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox manufactured by ZF. The Genesis version of this powerplant generates 223 kW and a colossal 407 N.m of torque, and is said to be good for a 0-100 km/h time of around 6,0 seconds.
Due to the Tau’s open-ended development plan, there are future possibilities for this powerplant, such as increased displacement, further tuning modifications and even the capacity for a hybrid version. Another possible engine for this model is a turbocharged 2,0-litre four cylinder unit.
The Tiburon first came to South Africa in 1996 and, in doing so, proved that Hyundai were not all about safely styled econoboxes. The current model harks back to 2003, but also manages to impress with its aggressive, angular looks.
The current models engine options consist of a 2,0-litre, four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission. This unit produces 103 kW at 6 000 r/min and 185 N.m of torque at 4 500 r/min. The 0-100 km/h dash takes 9,2 seconds and the top speed is 206 km/h. The 2,7-litre model is powered by a 130 kW 2,7-litre all-aluminium V6 engine, that generates 250 N.m of torque at 4 000 r/min, and is mated with a six-speed manual gearbox. This model has a claimed top speed of 220 km/h and a 0-100 km/h-time of 8,2 seconds.
Many felt that the engine lacked the power this car’s looks deserved, so it seems fitting that Hyundai should introduce a powerful V8 model to its line up.
The new Tiburon is expected to go on sale in Korea in late 2008 and mid-2009 in North America.
