All The Car

Enthusiasts on a budget no longer have to sacrifice their desire for track-inspired styling and handling in a sports coupe now that Hyundai has factory tweaked the components and design of the 2007 Tiburon. Blood is in the water because the V-6 powered Tiburon will start well below the four-cylinder Mitsubishi Eclipse GS.

Tiburon has been reconfigured as a totally balanced cornering machine, available with a modified suspension from Europe, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and 12-inch, cross-drilled rotors formerly available only from the Korean domestic market on the Hyundai Tuscani.

NEW FOR 2007

* Redesigned front and rear fascia, headlights, taillights, hood, front fenders and exhaust tips
* Blue backlit gauges and gun metal accents
* Standard MP3 capability
* Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TMPS)
* ESC with Brake Assist and Traction Control (SE model)
* Cross-drilled brake rotors with larger rotor size (SE model)
* Sport suspension tuning (SE model)
* Full-size spare tire (SE model)


This striking coupe comes in three trim options for 2007: the stylish and affordable GS, the
sporty performance SE and the refined performance GT and GT limited. As an added bonus, the SE model comes standard-equipped with a responsive suspension technology featuring sport-tuned European suspension calibration, Electronic Stability Control and brake assist. The sport-tuned suspension provides the Tiburon with tighter spring calibration and firmer damper control giving the car a grounded, sporty driving sensation similar to that of a European sports car.

TRACK-INSPIRED AND PASSIONATE DESIGN

The 2007 Tiburon is defined by its dynamic and aggressive styling. Starting with classic coupe proportions, Hyundai's designers added a new hood with muscular character lines, projector headlights and an aggressive front valance panel. A wedge-like silhouette extends back from the front wheel openings into the tail lights. The attention-grabbing fender side strake garnish provides design continuity with the new front valance. A new track-inspired rear diffuser and bright dual exhausts further connote speed and power.

Combined with the SE's new cross-drilled front brake rotors and updated wheel design, the 2007 Tiburon evokes the tarmac-hugging performance of international motorsport as it strides down the road.

SEGMENT-LEADING SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

At Hyundai, hard driving begins with safety. That's why the 2007 Tiburon includes a wide range of both active and passive safety features. For 2007, the Tiburon SE gets Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry''s most effective life-saving technologies. IIHS studies show vehicles equipped with ESC experience 56 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Tiburon SE''s ESC system also includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum ABS-level braking force when a panic stop is detected.

Larger front (12-in.) cross-drilled rotors are also standard on the SE. All Tiburon models feature standard four-channel ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance under various dynamic loading conditions.

In terms of passive safety, the Tiburon has strong unibody construction, along with front and rear crumple zones, body-side reinforcements, and five-mph energy-absorbing bumpers. The hood also includes buckling creases and safety stops.

Inside, you'll find driver and front passenger advanced frontal airbags, along with front seat-mounted side airbags. The front seatbelts have pretensioners and force limiters, and the outboard rear positions feature LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), which make affixing child safety seats easier.

ENHANCED CHASSIS TUNING FOR TIBURON SE

For 2007, the high-performance Tiburon SE becomes an even more exciting and willing partner for enthusiastic driving. With significantly firmer suspension settings than last year, Tiburon SE goes from being a great handling coupe to a truly exceptional one. The new European-tuned suspension features 13 percent stiffer front spring rate, 10 percent stiffer rear spring rate and unique strut valving. Tiburon SE delivers a 32 percent increase in roll control over the GS. In fact, Tiburon's torsional rigidity is better than the current Infiniti G35 coupe and Tiburon's bending rigidity bests the BMW M3. This superb structural rigidity sets the foundation for precisely tuned handling performance.

All Tiburon models are superbly fun to drive and feature MacPherson strut front and multi-link independent rear suspension. The front suspension uses fade-resistant gas-filled hydraulic struts and a stabilizer bar to control body roll. The multi-link rear system precisely tunes the chassis via gas-filled hydraulic shocks and a stabilizer bar. Advantages of the multi-link rear suspension include optimized rear suspension geometry for added handling and braking stability.

Precise power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is combined with the suspension for responsive handling. Also standard are 205/55R16 performance tires on the Tiburon GS and wider 215/45R17 rubber on the GT, SE and GT Limited.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 4:51 AM | Comments