Hyundai's latest range reduced to three models

By ALASTAIR SLOANE, motoring editor

The revised Hyundai Tiburon range will land in New Zealand next month, without the option of a manual gearbox in the entry-level model.

Importer Hyundai Automotive New Zealand has dropped the five-speed gear lever in the 2-litre coupe in favour of the Hi-vec sportshift, an automatic unit with manual mode.

Previously, Hyundai brought in four Tiburon models: the four-cylinder 2-litre with a choice of manual or Hi-vec gearboxes and the 2.7-litre V6 with the same options. Now the range will be reduced to three models, with the manual option reserved for the V6 only.

Hyundai general manager Phillip Eustace said sales showed most Tiburon buyers wanted the sportshift.

"We've sold the manual in the past but the preference is for the automatic by at least three-to-one," he said.

"At the end of the day you are better to have less models and less confusion.

"It's an expensive exercise if you carry a variance of models. It's best to keep it simple."

The arrival of the updated Tiburon comes as Hyundai sales in New Zealand enjoy new growth after a slow spell through the turn of the century.

Sales last year were up more than 20 per cent on 2002. Sales of 2102 vehicles so far this year are up 55 per cent on 2003.

Star of the Hyundai show is the small Getz hatchback, which is leading the small-car segment so far this year with 814 sales against second-placed Honda Jazz with 739.

Jazz registered only 33 sales in September as stocks ran out. But Hyundai and Honda will go at it again once new Jazz shipments arrive later this month. The arrival of the impressive all-wheel-drive Tucson has also helped Hyundai.

Both the Getz and Tucson are the first examples of the Korean carmaker's new European-influenced styling direction and are charged with building a strong private-buyer base for the company.

The new Euro-designed Sonata sedan is also expected to boost private sales even further when it arrives next year.

The facelifted Tiburon was unveiled at the Paris motor show. It gets a more aggressive look, with new headlights, grille, and an entirely new front bumper with larger air intake.

The side has a slightly altered profile with different intake vents, while the rear light clusters have also been redesigned. New 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels complete the picture.

Powerplants are unchanged. The 2-litre produces 105kW (140bhp) at 6000rpm and 186Nm of torque at 4500rpm. The V6 develops 127kW (170bhp) and 245Nm at 4000rpm.

Prices are unchanged, too. The 2-litre Hi-vec will cost $34,490 and the V6 Hi-vec or manual $39,990.

There are also some styling improvements to the car's interior, including sportier aluminium effect for the air vent surrounds and door handles.

The success of the Tiburon is best illustrated in Britain, where it outsells the Toyota Celica and Audi TT.

The continued success of Hyundai is shown in a recent reliability surveys in the United States and Britain, where it has finished up among the leaders, leapfrogging some of the best regarded European and Japanese makes.