• 2001–2009 (South Korea) • 2002–2009 (Europe and Middle East) • 2003–2008 (U.S.) }} • South Korea:
Ulsan • Turkey:
İzmit,
Kocaeli Province (
Hyundai Assan) • Thailand:
Samut Prakan (
Thonburi) () }} •
Hyundai Avante/Elantra (XD) •
Hyundai Lavita/Matrix •
Hyundai Tucson (JM) •
Kia Cerato/Spectra (LD) •
Kia Sportage (JE/KM) }} • 1.6 L
Alpha II CVVT I4 • 2.0 L
Beta II CVVT I4 • 2.7 L
Delta DOHC MPi V6 }} • 5-speed
manual • 6-speed manual • 4-speed
Mitsubishi INVECS II (F4A42 series) automatic }} }} The previous-generation Tiburon was discontinued in 2001 after five years in production. Hyundai launched a revised Tiburon in 2002 for the 2003 model year, giving it new styling, larger dimensions, and an optional
V6 engine. Tiburon's wheelbase and overall length grew slightly compared to the previous version, increasing curb weight by about . In the US, base and GT V6 models were offered with standard front side airbags and optional anti-lock brakes. Base Tiburons retained the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while GT V6 coupes got the new 2.7-liter V6 from Hyundai's
Sonata and
Santa Fe. A five-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed
automatic was optional. The automatic unit had a manual shift gate. Also optional on the GT V6 was a six-speed manual gearbox. Base models and GT V6 automatics rode on 16-inch tires, versus 17-inch for the GT V6 manual models. Both had standard four-wheel disc brakes. Leather upholstery was standard in the GT V6, as well as a rear spoiler (high spoiler std. on 6-speed only). Aluminium pedals and a sunroof were optional. In 2004, all GT V6s received 17" wheels. A "special edition" of the GT V6 was also released. It featured a "Special Edition" decal-style badge underneath "Tiburon", sport cloth upholstery, a
Kenwood stereo, red painted front brake calipers, and multigauges above the radio. Only the 6-speed and automatic transmissions were available. The special edition was available in Jet Black, Rally Red, and Sunburst Yellow only. The new design received praise from a number of automotive journalists, some of which compared it to the
Ferrari 456. In 2005 Hyundai facelifted the Tiburon and reshuffled the model lineup; offering GS, GT, and SE models. The SE was now a separate trim from the GT models. Hyundai's four-cylinder engine went into the GS, while the other two held the 2.7-liter V6. A five-speed
manual transmission was standard. A four-speed automatic with a manual shift was optional for GS and GT models, but the SE had exclusive use of a six-speed manual gearbox. Anti-lock brakes was standard on the SE and optional for the GT coupe, which could be equipped with leather upholstery. GS coupes rode on 16-inch wheels, versus 17-inch for other models. All-disc brakes and front side airbags were standard. Anti-lock brakes were made standard on all 2006 model Tiburons. In the USA, the rear wiper was removed as a standard feature for the 2005 and 2006 models, although it could be purchased as an optional extra. In the UK, three models were available before and after the 2005 facelift: the 1.6S, 2.0SE and V6. The 1.6S had a single exhaust and leather seats were optional, although following the 2005 facelift half-leather seats were standard. Both other models have twin exhausts and leather seats as standard. The six-speed gearbox was also standard on the V6 model. In Greece (S145 model), due to high taxation in hi-displacement engines, a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was available for some years, producing 145 PS(107 kW) at 5,800 rpm and 190 Nm (128 lbf) of torque at 4,300 rpm and making the 1233 kg vehicle capable of accelerating from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 9.3 seconds and achieving a top speed of 210 km/h (131 mph). Fuel consumption was 6.4L/100 km (36.8 mpg).
GK F/L (2004–2006) Hyundai conducted minor tweaks to the 'GK' model in September 2004 for the 2005 model year. The vehicle incorporated reworked sleeker blackened "smoked" headlights, redesigned rear tail lights, more aggressive front air dam, a different range of alloy wheel designs, colored stitching on leather seats (half leather seats available for the 1.6 range). In 2006, Hyundai released the GT Limited Model. This was an upgrade from the GT V6. It included an upgraded tan leather interior, automatic climate controls, a 440w Infinity 6-disc in
dash stereo with 10"
subwoofer, an upgraded gauge cluster, and side markers. The GT LTD came in black, Blue, and midnight blue.
TS (2005–2006) Australian limited editions In Australia, a limited edition TS was released in October 2005. It had a unique "tiger orange" color paintjob (a color that was not available for any other model) and an extra high rear spoiler. The TS also sported stiffer suspension dampening and a slightly thicker (22mm) rear sway bar. Black leather trim with red stitching, sunroof and other extras were included as standard. The name TS stands for "Tiger Shark", referring to its exclusive orange color and the shark origins of the Tiburon name. Only 80 of these 2005 TS models were released. Each had an individually numbered ID plate inside the driver's door frame. Number 1 had a manual transmission, and number 80 had an automatic transmission. A limited edition TS of the 2006 model was also released in 2006. It was available in a unique "vivid blue" paintjob. Only 62 of these were released. These also had a plaque inside the drivers side door, however, this didn't list the build number unlike the 2005 edition. The TS came standard with the 2.7 litre V6 engine paired to the 6 speed manual transmission.
GK F/L2 (2006–2008) A more comprehensive facelift was launched in November 2006 for the 2007 model year, named the Coupe SIII in markets such as the UK, this time altering the appearance of the car enough to designate it the fourth generation or GK F/L2 reminiscent of the RD1 and RD2 denotations. The headlights are thinner and angled more aggressively; somewhat similar to the original Tiburon headlights with more straight/sharp lines. The tail lights are similar to the RD2 and GK1 but are somewhat smaller and reflect an aftermarket styling. The fenders lose the tall "gill fins" and a smaller gill insert is present instead. The radio antenna on the F/L2 is integrated into the rear hatch glass rather than being a separate mast, and the interiors received an updated blue backlight scheme for gauges and instrumentation. On SE models (US), the interior is updated with brushed aluminium accents. The SE trim (US) was also equipped with larger 12 inch front brake rotors and a slightly stiffer suspension. Hyundai later introduced the limited edition TSIII (UK). This edition included, in addition to the enhancements found on the SE model (US), a quilted leather interior with embroidered logos, quad exhaust exit pipes, and an anthracite finish to the 17" alloy wheels. The performance of the TSIII remained the same as the SIII. This is the last model made.
Equipment and safety The exact specification depends on model and the region where it was sold but these are some of the features available: •
Anti-lock brakes, dual circuit with brake force distribution • Front (variable rate)
airbags and side airbags • Side impact protection bars • ESP (2007) • Traction control • Electric windows and
sunroof • Heated front seats • Trip computer • Air conditioning / climate control • Leather / half-leather / cloth interior • Sports seats •
Alloy wheels (16" or 17") • CD player with cassette and radio • Additional gauges featuring torque, real-time fuel consumption and battery voltage The 2004–2007 models received a 4/5 star rating from the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the USA.
Powertrain In the US, the 5-speed retained standard on the GS, GT, and GT Limited, while the upscale SE model came only with a six-speed
manual and the 2.7L V6 engine. A four-speed
automatic transmission with
Shiftronic was available for all models except the SE. In the UK and Middle East, the 5-speed manual is standard on the 1.6L and 2.0L versions, while a 6-speed is standard on the top of line 2.7L FX model, A four-speed
automatic transmission with
Shiftronic was available for 2.0L & 2.7L as well.
Performance Magazines road test performance of the car:- • 2.7-litre: (5-speed) • Acceleration 0– •
Car and Driver: 7.6 seconds • Acceleration 0– •
Car and Driver: 20.9 seconds •
Car and Driver: 7.1 seconds •
MotorWeek: 7.1 seconds •
Road & Track: 7.2 seconds (2007) •
Road & Track: 7.6 seconds (2003) • Acceleration 0– •
Road & Track: 19.3 seconds (2007) •
Car and Driver: 20.6 seconds •
Road & Track: 21 seconds (2003) • 1/4 Mile •
MotorWeek: 15.4 seconds at •
Road & Track: 15.4 seconds at •
Car and Driver: 15.6 seconds at •
Road & Track: 15.9 seconds at • Top speed: •
Road & Track: (2007) •
Road & Track: (2003) •
Car and Driver: ==Marketing and branding==