What I found

I dont know to how much people this is old news to, but I just found it:
2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON TUSCANI
BASE PRICE: $26,995 - PRICE AS TESTED: $27,078

I remember being flabbergasted the first time I perused the spy photos of Hyundai’s revamped Tiburon only two short years ago. The new Tibby is like a homely elementary school kid who, over a few short years, blossomed into a cover girl―to everyone's surprise. I know there are a few of you out there who prefer the be-spoilered, mutant jelly bean shape of the previous Tibby. But to my eyes, the graceful, sophisticated lines of the newer generation car look far more attractive. In the beauty pageant of affordable sporty coupes, the nod could go to either the Acura RSX or the Tiburon. The Tiburon's low-slung roofline and the muscular arches of its flanks suggest an Italian design influence. However, Hyundai designers contend that the shape was inspired by its Spanish namesake―a shark. While I’m quite sure sharks don’t typically sport this hue of yellow, the faux ventilation ducts and bumper fin-like protrusions do resemble the gills and appendages of the toothy carnivore.

New for 2003 is the limited production Tiburon Tuscani reviewed in this instalment. What your extra $1,200 in shekels buys you―besides the obvious day-glow banana tone―is titanium-mimicking trim pieces, three ancillary gauges, a climate control system, a trip computer, and shiny silver pedals underfoot. To further distinguish the Tuscani from other Tiburons, the usual italicized Hyundai “H” emblem is replaced by a jewel-like roundel brandishing a stylized “T”. Our Tibby drew a lot of admiring glances and questions from curious onlookers. Many seemed amazed (and visibly impressed) when they noticed the teeny silver Hyundai lettering attached to the stunning bodywork.

Now, we all know that good looks can only get you so far in life (except perhaps in the world of so-called "reality" TV). So the question is: is the aggressive-looking Tiburon top predator, or more of a guppy, in a big, big ocean? Let's find out.




Open the frameless doors and plant yourself in the Tibby, and you will notice the purposeful and uncluttered-looking cabin. A stylish set of silver-rimmed clocks bisected by the trip computer's central LCD display are clearly readable and conveniently positioned within the driver's sight. Curiously, Hyundai outfitted the Tuscani in grippy, dual-toned fabric seat material, while dressing standard fare GT models in seemingly upscale leather. Regardless of materials, the manually-adjustable seats are supportive and hold you securely in place while you dice up your favourite curves. As for occupant accom-modations, ample legroom is provided for fancy footwork such as heel-and-toeing and left foot braking (if you’re so inclined). Headroom is a little more constricting: the swooping roofline compromises available interior height, a feature that on several occasions resulted in the unceremonious dislodgement of my baseball cap as I leaned forward to check for traffic.

The driving position feels sport-oriented: the driver sits quite low, with legs outstretched―an arrangement sure to appeal to the racecar purist. Rear passengers are less lucky! Tight quarters and the occasional head bashing―compliments of the rear hatch―call to mind scenes of medieval punishment.

On the centre console, clearly marked switches and buttons are easily interpreted and big enough to be fiddled with even at a glance. Interior finish and the grade of plastic feels truly top-notch―no small feat, especially considering the modest price tag. In fact, most things appear and feel well-finished on the Hyundai. I was impressed to find accoutrements that are usually absent on this class of car. Small details, like the hydraulic struts for lifting the hood, separate this car from its competitors’ econo prop rods. Unfortunately a discordant “thwank” is heard when closing the doors instead of the ideal, muted “thud”. I’m guessing the culprit is most likely the sizeable, frameless side window rattling around in its tracks. Understandable, but annoying nonetheless.
The feeling of refinement continues as you twist the ignition key, awakening the vibration-free V6 with barely a whisper. With 2.7 litres of combustion chamber volume, and a tight ratio 6-speed manual transmission, summoning quick getaways from stoplights or passing traffic is refreshingly perspiration-free. This is a largely flexible and polite engine that never protests―even when lugged in a gear too high, or spun into the red of the tachometer. Undeniably, the powerband emphasizes low to midrange performance rather than high-revving peak power. In contrast, most of the Tiburon’s peers employ high-winding 4-cylinders that rely on a healthy dose of revs before any serious headway can be expected. With so much grunt on tap, Hyundai wisely installed a traction controlled system (TCS) on all V6 Tiburons. Even so, leaning heavily on the throttle in first gear will result in some torque steer-induced tugging at the helm as the Michelins’ state of adhesion is taxed. Turn off the TCS and poke the gas pedal too enthusiastically while exiting a tight turn, and your inside tire will evaporate into acrid, white tire smoke. A limited slip differential would certainly go a long way in harnessing all that available thrust.

The Tuscani's 6-speed manual gearbox is an excellent unit that suitably befits enthusiastic driving aspirations. The slightly heavier-weighted shift action feels solid, and navigating the gearshift pattern returns a satisfying, positive detent. Thankfully, shift throws are quite short, even though the shift lever is “Vegas slot-machine” long.




A sport tuned-suspension, consisting of MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link set up in the rear, were assigned to the Tiburon. No risks were taken here, as some of the best-handling cars today use a similar suspension configuration. A set of super-sticky, low profile, 45-series Michelin Pilot Sport tires―mounted on aluminium 17” 5-spoke wheels―not only increase visual pizzazz but, more importantly, provide responsive steering made possible by minimal tire sidewall deflection.

The rack-and-pinion steering mechanism itself tracks precisely without feeling darty; but, maybe because of over-boosted power assist, steering feedback can feel a little numb when approaching the handling limits. Flinging the Tiburon from bend to bend is no problem―the apparently taut suspension tuning does a terrific job in arresting body roll. From my perspective, though, it doesn’t feel as willing to change direction in the shamelessly athletic fashion of a Toyota Celica or Acura RSX―chalk this up to the extra poundage from the burden of the healthy V6 on those front tires. The Tiburon seems to prefer larger-radiused corners: steady state handling is superbly executed, and prodigious grip allows for some flagrant disrespect of both prudence and those pesky laws of physics. The ride quality is respectable; but, due in part to the stiffly-sprung suspension and the low profile tires, bigger bumps do penetrate the cabin. In addition, the body structure isn’t what I’d consider "bank vault" tight―a few squeaks and rattles emanate from the hatchback structure as the road undulates.




Besides the red paint on the callipers, the anti-lock- equipped binders on our Tuscani are the same units found on the Tiburon GT. Braking effectiveness was excellent on our test car, but it took me a short while to become accustomed to a slight soft, non-linear feel in the pedal. That didn’t preclude me from repeatedly shedding triple digit speeds in preparation for a succession of oh-so-tight 1st and 2nd gear turns. Try as I might, I am happy to report that I nary noticed even a hint of brake fade.




In all honesty, my expectations of my Tiburon road test were neither many nor great. After all, Hyundai's beginnings in Canada were spotty (to say the least), with reliability and build quality issues surrounding many of the company's cars. I was well aware of the great strides being made in product development, but I surely wasn't prepared for the firsthand realization of just how far Hyundai has come. To say I was impressed with the Tiburon would be an understatement: I was wowed.

For relatively little monetary investment, the Tiburon not only looks great, but is a fun-to-drive, capable, and surprisingly refined automobile. To make it even more attractive, Hyundai loaded it to the hilt with power windows, mirrors, moonroof and cruise control. From a performance point of view, it may not be as quick or agile as the most potent members in this class. But realize this: even the high-end Tuscani still seriously undercuts its rivals price-wise―to the tune of at least $4,000. You’d have to look at the competitors' decidedly more humble offerings (which the Tiburon matches or outperforms) to equal the Hyundai’s price. SPECIFICATIONS

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE
TYPE
2656cc., 6-CYLINDER, V-CONFIGURATION

VALVE TRAIN
DOHC, 4 VALVES PER CYLINDER
BORE X STROKE
87.5mm X 88.0mm
COMPRESSION RATIO
10.0:1
FUEL DELIVERY MULTI-PORT FUEL INJECTION
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC, DISTRIBUTORLESS

MAX. POWER
OUTPUT 170 HP @ 6000RPM
MAX. TORQUE
OUTPUT 181 LB-FT @ 4000 RPM
REDLINE 6500 RPM
FUEL PREMIUM UNLEADED
CITY FUEL CONSUMPTION 12.2L / 100 KM
HWY FUEL CONSUMPTION 8.2 L / 100 KM
DRIVE TRAIN
TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED MANUAL
GEAR RATIOS: (:1)
1 3.153
2 1.944
3 1.3333
4 1.055
5 0.857
6 0.704
REVERSE 3.002
FINAL DRIVE 4.428
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION TYPE F: MACPHERSON STRUTS,
COIL SPRING, STABILIZER BAR
R: MULTI-LINK, COIL SPRING, STABILIZER BAR
WHEELS AND BRAKES
WHEELS FRONT: 17" X 7"
REAR: 17" X 7"
WHEEL MATERIAL CAST ALUMINUM
TIRES (F/R) MICHELIN PILOT SPORT
F: P215/45 ZR 17
R: P215/45 ZR 17
BRAKES (F/R) POWER ASSISTED, DISC
F: 275 mm VENTED ROTOR
R: 255 mm SOLID ROTOR
ANTILOCK 4-CHANNEL
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
LENGTH 4325 mm
HEIGHT 1308 mm
WIDTH 1733 mm
WHEELBASE 2490 mm
TRACK (F/R) 1468 mm / 1468 mm
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
(F/R) N/A
CURB WEIGHT 1333 KG


VERDICT


- VELVET SMOOTH V-6 POWER.
- HANDSOME LOOKS.
- LOTS OF QUALITY GEAR.
- AGGRESSIVE PRICING.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- CREAKS AND SQUEAKS.
- SLIGHT NUMBNESS WHEN
HANDLING LIMITS ARE PUSHED.
- CLANKY DOOR SLAMS.

IN A NUTSHELL:



NOTABLE RIVALS




1.8 LITRE, INLINE-4, 140 HP
BASE PRICE: $24,645




2.0 LITRE, INLINE-4, 160 HP
BASE PRICE: $27,300



2.4 LITRE, INLINE-4, 147 HP
BASE PRICE: $27,917



1.8 LITRE, INLINE-4, 180 HP
BASE PRICE: $26,330



2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON TUSCANI
BASE PRICE: $26,995 - PRICE AS TESTED: $27,078


...continued from Page 2




As I gave the silky V-6 of our blazing yellow Tiburon a work out, I couldn’t help but wonder at how far Hyundai has come in the automotive business. I can still recall when the humble Pony made the scene in Canada almost two decades ago. It was priced under C$5000. I never drove one but was a Pony passenger once―my only clear recollection of the experience being an impression of cheapness.



Fast forward to 2003: the Tiburon is a serious player in the lower spectrum of sporting machinery―inhabited by a whole host of powerful candidates, including RSX, SiR, Golf GTI 1.8T, Sentra SRV-Spec, Focus SVT, Neon SRT, Mazdaspeed Protégé, and others. How does the Tib fare? Very well, thank you! It is the only vehicle with a 170 hp V-6 blessed with 181 lb.ft of twist―its competitors are all four bangers. The price of our fully-loaded Tuscani comes in at under $27,000; while that’s not beer money, it is still a very reasonable pile of loonies for such a strong and nimble performer.



Let’s start with the engine, because that is the best part of this car. It is a very torquey unit, especially when mated to a rather slick-shifting, six speed gear set. At a stop light before a steep climb, I was flanked by an aggressively-driven Ford Explorer among a school of other vehicles. As the go light flashed, I stomped on Tibby’s metal accelerator and redlined the six before pulling into second. By third, my rear view mirror featured Explorer and friends as nothing but miniscule specks―it is perhaps unnecessary to confess that a casual glance at the speedo elicited a double-take from me as I realized the high velocity to which Tibby had quickly climbed! Luckily, the four wheel disc brakes were up to the task of scrubbing off the excess speed in a hurry. Surprisingly, the engine went about its business without the furious cacophony of cams, valves, pistons, belts, whines and waste gates that usually accompany some of the more energetic fours. There was no Formula One exhaust boom either. Some might wish more sporting sounds would emanate from the Tibby’s twin pipes, but I am not one of them. I prefer this silent getaway mode as being classier, with a Germanic sensibility.



The six speed, though not as precise in feel as a Honda’s or a Mazda’s, allowed us to make good use of the engine’s power. Handling is predictable understeer, dull and unexciting. This front driver does not like being pushed. There is significant torque steer at high rpm launches, as well as anytime you impulsively goose the go pedal. Steering feedback is quite good, though not telepathic.



While the performance of the car may be subtle, its body work is definitely not―especially when cloaked in the eyeball-popping Tuscani yellow. Perhaps Hyundai wants you to squint and see a Ferrari-esque profile. From the rear third quarter, there is indeed some resemblance to a 456 GT. Overall, the styling is no worse or better than its competition, although I do think that Hyundai could have designed a more menacing face. After all, tiburon does mean "shark" in Spanish. However, I definitely like the garish side gills.



The interior of the car is sombre, austere and black, black, and more black. The only relief from the darkness comes in the form of some simulated metal-brushed components on the dash. The speedo and tach are well laid-out. The three tiny gages on the centre console, displaying oil pressure, fuel usage and voltage, are next to useless unless you (insanely) take your eyes off the road to decipher them. The auto climate control loves to blast your face and body with gale-force winds every time you ignite this baby. I really do not understand why car makers continue with this bit of useless HVAC technology. Even worse, you can now have separate zone temperature controls. Really. If I feel hot, I turn on the a/c and if I am cold, I turn on the heat. Let’s keep it simple, people! If not, please at least offer auto-climatology as an option.



The Recaro look-alike seats are a little constraining for me, especially the hard thigh bolsters―but the headrests are very good, an aspect of seat design so often neglected by manufacturers. The rear hatch is difficult to lift, even with its two struts, although it does open wide. By the same token, the hatchback is hard to close and there is no handle to pull it down to shut it. Rear riders had better watch out if they are back there when the sporty rear hatch is slammed. Rear seat room is in short supply, but this is a 2+2.



I will conclude by saying the Tiburon has a lot going for it, especially with that wonderful V-6 in a sea of L-4s’. It is fun to drive, looks good, and comes loaded with most of the goodies your hedonistic heart desires. It is also very affordable for a budget-conscious person looking for a sporty number. Personally, I don’t really care for the yellow paint job, but you might. The Tiburon faces a lot of very formidable and capable competition. That may be a bad thing for Hyundai, but it is wonderful for you, the enthusiast! If you are in the market for a sports car, don’t let the Hyundai name plate discourage you: Hyundai was recently compared to Honda in terms of owner satisfaction


SPECIFICATIONS

POWER TRAIN

ENGINE
TYPE
2656cc., 6-CYLINDER, V-CONFIGURATION

VALVE TRAIN
DOHC, 4 VALVES PER CYLINDER
BORE X STROKE
87.5mm X 88.0mm
COMPRESSION RATIO
10.0:1
FUEL DELIVERY MULTI-PORT FUEL INJECTION
IGNITION SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC, DISTRIBUTORLESS

MAX. POWER
OUTPUT 170 HP @ 6000RPM
MAX. TORQUE
OUTPUT 181 LB-FT @ 4000 RPM
REDLINE 6500 RPM
FUEL PREMIUM UNLEADED
CITY FUEL CONSUMPTION 12.2L / 100 KM
HWY FUEL CONSUMPTION 8.2 L / 100 KM
DRIVE TRAIN
TRANSMISSION 6-SPEED MANUAL
GEAR RATIOS: (:1)
1 3.153
2 1.944
3 1.3333
4 1.055
5 0.857
6 0.704
REVERSE 3.002
FINAL DRIVE 4.428
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION TYPE F: MACPHERSON STRUTS,
COIL SPRING, STABILIZER BAR
R: MULTI-LINK, COIL SPRING, STABILIZER BAR
WHEELS AND BRAKES
WHEELS FRONT: 17" X 7"
REAR: 17" X 7"
WHEEL MATERIAL CAST ALUMINUM
TIRES (F/R) MICHELIN PILOT SPORT
F: P215/45 ZR 17
R: P215/45 ZR 17
BRAKES (F/R) POWER ASSISTED, DISC
F: 275 mm VENTED ROTOR
R: 255 mm SOLID ROTOR
ANTILOCK 4-CHANNEL
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
LENGTH 4325 mm
HEIGHT 1308 mm
WIDTH 1733 mm
WHEELBASE 2490 mm
TRACK (F/R) 1468 mm / 1468 mm
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
(F/R) N/A
CURB WEIGHT 1333 KG


VERDICT


- VELVET SMOOTH V-6 POWER.
- HANDSOME LOOKS.
- LOTS OF QUALITY GEAR.
- AGGRESSIVE PRICING.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- CREAKS AND SQUEAKS.
- SLIGHT NUMBNESS WHEN
HANDLING LIMITS ARE PUSHED.
- CLANKY DOOR SLAMS.

IN A NUTSHELL:



NOTABLE RIVALS




1.8 LITRE, INLINE-4, 140 HP
BASE PRICE: $24,645




2.0 LITRE, INLINE-4, 160 HP
BASE PRICE: $27,300



2.4 LITRE, INLINE-4, 147 HP
BASE PRICE: $27,917



1.8 LITRE, INLINE-4, 180 HP
BASE PRICE: $26,330



2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON TUSCANI
BASE PRICE: $26,995 - PRICE AS TESTED: $27,078


...continued from Page 2




As I gave the silky V-6 of our blazing yellow Tiburon a work out, I couldn’t help but wonder at how far Hyundai has come in the automotive business. I can still recall when the humble Pony made the scene in Canada almost two decades ago. It was priced under C$5000. I never drove one but was a Pony passenger once―my only clear recollection of the experience being an impression of cheapness.



Fast forward to 2003: the Tiburon is a serious player in the lower spectrum of sporting machinery―inhabited by a whole host of powerful candidates, including RSX, SiR, Golf GTI 1.8T, Sentra SRV-Spec, Focus SVT, Neon SRT, Mazdaspeed Protégé, and others. How does the Tib fare? Very well, thank you! It is the only vehicle with a 170 hp V-6 blessed with 181 lb.ft of twist―its competitors are all four bangers. The price of our fully-loaded Tuscani comes in at under $27,000; while that’s not beer money, it is still a very reasonable pile of loonies for such a strong and nimble performer.



Let’s start with the engine, because that is the best part of this car. It is a very torquey unit, especially when mated to a rather slick-shifting, six speed gear set. At a stop light before a steep climb, I was flanked by an aggressively-driven Ford Explorer among a school of other vehicles. As the go light flashed, I stomped on Tibby’s metal accelerator and redlined the six before pulling into second. By third, my rear view mirror featured Explorer and friends as nothing but miniscule specks―it is perhaps unnecessary to confess that a casual glance at the speedo elicited a double-take from me as I realized the high velocity to which Tibby had quickly climbed! Luckily, the four wheel disc brakes were up to the task of scrubbing off the excess speed in a hurry. Surprisingly, the engine went about its business without the furious cacophony of cams, valves, pistons, belts, whines and waste gates that usually accompany some of the more energetic fours. There was no Formula One exhaust boom either. Some might wish more sporting sounds would emanate from the Tibby’s twin pipes, but I am not one of them. I prefer this silent getaway mode as being classier, with a Germanic sensibility.



The six speed, though not as precise in feel as a Honda’s or a Mazda’s, allowed us to make good use of the engine’s power. Handling is predictable understeer, dull and unexciting. This front driver does not like being pushed. There is significant torque steer at high rpm launches, as well as anytime you impulsively goose the go pedal. Steering feedback is quite good, though not telepathic.



While the performance of the car may be subtle, its body work is definitely not―especially when cloaked in the eyeball-popping Tuscani yellow. Perhaps Hyundai wants you to squint and see a Ferrari-esque profile. From the rear third quarter, there is indeed some resemblance to a 456 GT. Overall, the styling is no worse or better than its competition, although I do think that Hyundai could have designed a more menacing face. After all, tiburon does mean "shark" in Spanish. However, I definitely like the garish side gills.



The interior of the car is sombre, austere and black, black, and more black. The only relief from the darkness comes in the form of some simulated metal-brushed components on the dash. The speedo and tach are well laid-out. The three tiny gages on the centre console, displaying oil pressure, fuel usage and voltage, are next to useless unless you (insanely) take your eyes off the road to decipher them. The auto climate control loves to blast your face and body with gale-force winds every time you ignite this baby. I really do not understand why car makers continue with this bit of useless HVAC technology. Even worse, you can now have separate zone temperature controls. Really. If I feel hot, I turn on the a/c and if I am cold, I turn on the heat. Let’s keep it simple, people! If not, please at least offer auto-climatology as an option.



The Recaro look-alike seats are a little constraining for me, especially the hard thigh bolsters―but the headrests are very good, an aspect of seat design so often neglected by manufacturers. The rear hatch is difficult to lift, even with its two struts, although it does open wide. By the same token, the hatchback is hard to close and there is no handle to pull it down to shut it. Rear riders had better watch out if they are back there when the sporty rear hatch is slammed. Rear seat room is in short supply, but this is a 2+2.



I will conclude by saying the Tiburon has a lot going for it, especially with that wonderful V-6 in a sea of L-4s’. It is fun to drive, looks good, and comes loaded with most of the goodies your hedonistic heart desires. It is also very affordable for a budget-conscious person looking for a sporty number. Personally, I don’t really care for the yellow paint job, but you might. The Tiburon faces a lot of very formidable and capable competition. That may be a bad thing for Hyundai, but it is wonderful for you, the enthusiast! If you are in the market for a sports car, don’t let the Hyundai name plate discourage you: Hyundai was recently compared to Honda in terms of owner satisfaction

...................

gay, that was gay

All I got to say is... :gives:

Just actualy never knew they had a Tuscani-Tiburon out. Must mostly be on the west coast were there base is. Because I have never heard-saw one over here on the east coast, OR IN ANY IMPORT CAR MAGAZINES EITHER!!!!

oh my god jus stop....

Yeah seriously, we're Tiburon drivers...well you're not, but the rest of us are. We already no all this stuff so why are you wasting our time?......again!!

Ok, just wanted you to see it. I will be a Tib driver in.... about a year and a half though.

at 15 1/2 you can drive?...
i hope your parents dont buy thi scar for you at such a young age
you shopuld be driving a beater around till you know how to drive

...not like a tib is a SUPER fast car, if his parents buy a used tib then why would that be bad? 140hp is not a lot of hp.

well depends on how and where you drive

140 can be enough , talk to a few of the MR2 drivers I've passed... lol

hey guys-lay off of the guy. he was just trying to give you some helpful info. and 140 HP sure aint a lot. seems to me that some of you tiburon owners are starting to think youre driving around in a Porsche, and not a cheaply made Korean car. dont get too big for your britches.

The only problem I see of the original posters post was that it was extremely long and lookes like it was copied over from another site that usually shows that info to consumers or reviews them.

As for the comment of cheaply made Korean car, the only thing cheap about the vehicle is the price, I actually think its very well made and give the buyer much more than expected, like all of the Hyundai models.

hey guys-lay off of the guy. he was just trying to give you some helpful info. and 140 HP sure aint a lot. seems to me that some of you tiburon owners are starting to think youre driving around in a Porsche, and not a cheaply made Korean car. dont get too big for your britches.


K if you read through the rest of his posts, you would know why we're harping on him.

im not even gonna comment

mods just please delete his thread i read bout 1 paragraph and relized the bs this guys trying to advertise

mods just please delete his thread i read bout 1 paragraph and relized the bs this guys trying to advertise
... uhhhmmm hes not advertising... hes 14! :iceslolan :rofl:

You have to know what you're talking about to advertise something...he does not lol