Hyundai Tiburon replacement to be smaller, less expensive

The successor to the Hyundai Tiburon will be a smaller and less expensive car, the company says.

The new car will be "positioned below the current Tiburon," said John Krafcik, acting CEO of Hyundai Motor America. The car is expected in 2011.

"It will have a lower price point, kind of eco sport positioning, where it is not going to be all about performance," he said. "It is going to be very fuel efficient. It is going to be stylish, a real nice complement to the Genesis coupe."

The car will share a front-drive platform with the Hyundai Accent and Elantra, Krafcik said. It will have a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The name Tiburon likely will be dropped.

The Tiburon was a four-passenger coupe, last produced for the 2008 model year. Four- and six-cylinder engines were offered. The 2008 Tiburon had a base price of $17,945, including shipping. Hyundai sold 14,073 Tiburons in 2007, the last full year the car was offered in the United States.

Krafcik said the new car's styling will have a lot in common with the Veloster concept, a sporty four-passenger coupe.

By Rick Kranz- Automotive News