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Tiburon shows just how far Hyundai cars have come
By Wendy Knowler
"Nobody need be embarrassed driving around in a Hyundai any more."
I just loved this line in an American review of the Hyundai Tiburon, a 2.7-litre V6 sporty number, because, well, it says it all about some motorists' outdated notions about the Korean brand.
The fact is Hyundai has improved remarkably in the past few years in terms of quality and style and international surveys, such as that conducted by UK consumer watchdog Which?, have found them to be among the most reliable cars in the world.
The 2003 Tiburon – the Spanish word for shark – is certainly oceans ahead of its predecessor in terms of styling and, unlike many other cars, it looks amazing from every angle.
I was anything but embarrassed to be seen within the depths of its inky interior. My silver test car, like the one in the TV ad, played the shark thing perfectly.
The two-door Tiburon is not the most ideal family car, of course, and the kids could see virtually blow-all in the back, but they adored the sensation of getting about in the racy six-gear sportsmobile.
Two adults would have been scrunched up back there but the little things were perfectly comfortable.
I was surprised by the roominess of the boot, even before the back seats were folded. Plenty of room for a week's groceries in there, or a set of golf clubs.
And so to its performance…. Yes, well, the words "mean machine" came to mind long before I found that sixth gear and I was thrilled by how responsive it remained in top.
It's not a lazy driver's car, it has to be said, and requires a certain, um, assertiveness on the part of the driver in shifting clutch and gear stick. And the low-slung bucket seat does take a little getting used to if you're accustomed to a less sporty, more lofty, perch.
All the driver comforts are there – tilt steering wheel, power steering, air-con, a blow-your-hair-back sound system (no self-respecting sports car would be complete without one) cruise control and remote-controlled keyless entry.
All in all, it was a blast and, at R270 000, probably the most value-for-money blast to be had in these waters.
But here's some embarrassing news - the Americans can pick up the identical Korea-assembled car for just $18 000! Today's rand-dollar exchange rate is R6.37. I may be mathematically challenged, but something doesn't quite add up, surely?
Published on the web by Motoring on February 26, 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Motoring 2004. All rights reserved.
Tiburon shows just how far Hyundai cars have come
By Wendy Knowler
"Nobody need be embarrassed driving around in a Hyundai any more."
I just loved this line in an American review of the Hyundai Tiburon, a 2.7-litre V6 sporty number, because, well, it says it all about some motorists' outdated notions about the Korean brand.
The fact is Hyundai has improved remarkably in the past few years in terms of quality and style and international surveys, such as that conducted by UK consumer watchdog Which?, have found them to be among the most reliable cars in the world.
The 2003 Tiburon – the Spanish word for shark – is certainly oceans ahead of its predecessor in terms of styling and, unlike many other cars, it looks amazing from every angle.
I was anything but embarrassed to be seen within the depths of its inky interior. My silver test car, like the one in the TV ad, played the shark thing perfectly.
The two-door Tiburon is not the most ideal family car, of course, and the kids could see virtually blow-all in the back, but they adored the sensation of getting about in the racy six-gear sportsmobile.
Two adults would have been scrunched up back there but the little things were perfectly comfortable.
I was surprised by the roominess of the boot, even before the back seats were folded. Plenty of room for a week's groceries in there, or a set of golf clubs.
And so to its performance…. Yes, well, the words "mean machine" came to mind long before I found that sixth gear and I was thrilled by how responsive it remained in top.
It's not a lazy driver's car, it has to be said, and requires a certain, um, assertiveness on the part of the driver in shifting clutch and gear stick. And the low-slung bucket seat does take a little getting used to if you're accustomed to a less sporty, more lofty, perch.
All the driver comforts are there – tilt steering wheel, power steering, air-con, a blow-your-hair-back sound system (no self-respecting sports car would be complete without one) cruise control and remote-controlled keyless entry.
All in all, it was a blast and, at R270 000, probably the most value-for-money blast to be had in these waters.
But here's some embarrassing news - the Americans can pick up the identical Korea-assembled car for just $18 000! Today's rand-dollar exchange rate is R6.37. I may be mathematically challenged, but something doesn't quite add up, surely?
Published on the web by Motoring on February 26, 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Motoring 2004. All rights reserved.
