Cannes, France - Bucking trends can be the best way to get ahead. Take the Hyundai Tiburon. While the main herd goes boxy in pursuit of room for carrying more goods and chattel, the third-generation, 2003 edition of Hyundai's 2+2 coupe is longer, wider, and notably sexier than its fillip-fendered predecessor. And instead of some high-thermal-efficiency fuel sipper under the hood, this road predator (tiburn is Spanish for "shark") offers a new 2.7-liter DOHC V-6 and a six-speed gearbox for extra bite (the outgoing car's 2.0-liter four and five-speed are standard). Borrowing the V-6 from the Sonata and sharing chassis parts with the Elantra keep costs in line, so the new Tiburon should roll out the door with a price only a thou or so more than last year's model, which topped out at just over $18,000. Sporting glitch-free exterior design, leather (front) seats, and a 280-watt seven-speaker stereo, the new Tiburon GT is an ideal reward for grads who earn Ivy League acceptance letters with exemplary SAT scores.
A preview drive along Monaco's Grand Corniche seemed a bit of a stretch for a penny-pinching Korean coupe, but the Tiburon behaved as if lunch in Cannes and cocktails at Le Casino were part of its everyday routine.... Read full article