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Base Price: $19,995
0-to-60-mph time: 7.6 sec
Quarter-mile time: 15.7 sec @ 88 mph
We first sampled a Hyundai Tiburon in 1997. Back then, it was an ungainly little coupe that was long on economy but short on refinement. A decade later comes the freshened 2007 edition. Bit by bit, Hyundai has massaged the initially personality-impaired Tiburon into a composed commuter, an accomplished tourer, and an acceptably sporty back-roads burner.
The GT’s 172-horse V-6 is virtually vibrationless at idle and revs smoothly and urgently, never sounding like it’s breathing hard. The five-speed linkage moves more cleanly than before, and the clutch is light, although engagement is near the top of the pedal’s travel. Indeed, all three pedals are close—great for heel-and-toeing but a problem if you’re wearing Doc Martens.
The steering is accurate, although it’s almost too quick upon turn-in and is occasionally disrupted by mild torque steer. The Tiburon nonetheless tracks like a much-longer-wheelbase car. What’s more, all of the interior surfaces are now satisfactorily rendered—if a little dour—with a center stack that is a picture of clarity.
Despite the Tiburon’s 17-inch Kumhos, its ride is sufficiently cushy to satisfy most over-40-somethings. There’s more body roll than we’d prefer, but the oingo-boingo rarely seems to upset the chassis, which can eke out a satisfying 0.84 g on the skidpad. And the brakes are phenomenal, stopping this handsome coupe in the same distance as the last Honda S2000 we tested.
The biggest knock against the Tib is that large Americans may not fit in it. The seat cushions are narrow. The footwells are cramped. Headroom is so meager that you’ll want to bypass the optional sunroof. And the rear seat is useful only for four bags of groceries.
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 3-door coupe
BASE PRICE: $19,995
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 162 cu in, 2657cc
Power (SAE net): 172 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 181 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 99.6 in
Length: 173.0 in
Width: 69.3 in
Height: 52.4 in
Curb weight: 3114 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 7.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 20.9 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 37.1 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.7 sec @ 88 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 136 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.84 g
FUEL ECONOMY: EPA city/highway driving: 19/27 mpg
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