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Hyundai Coupe

1996: Hyundai’s first independently developed sports model bares its teeth.1

Researched October 29, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • TiburonUsed in North America and several other markets; derived from tiburón, Spanish for shark.2
  • TurbulenceSouth Korean name for the 1999 RD2 facelift, sold as Tiburon Turbulence.2
  • TuscaniThe GK generation’s South Korean name.2
  • Korean FerrariA nickname used for the first-generation car when it reached the market in 1996.3

At a glance

0100200
111–172 hpPower
07.515
7–10.8 s0–60 mph
0125250
185–220 km/hTop speed
0150300
143–245 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,160–1,395 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.291213

Engine
RD: 1.6/1.8/2.0 L I4; GK: 1.6/2.0 L CVVT I4 or 2.7 L V62
Layout
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive811
Gearbox
5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic; GK V6 also offers a 6-speed manual2811
Built at
Ulsan, South Korea; GK also İzmit, Turkey, and Samut Prakan, Thailand2

The story

Chasing demand for affordable sporty cars, Hyundai launched its first independently developed sports model in April 1996, pairing Elantra underpinnings with HCD-1/HCD-2-inspired curves.14

1992: HCD-1 sketches the future19921996: April debut starts the RD era19961998: UK F2 arrives in Racing Blue19981999: Peter Stevens shapes the F2 Evolution19992000: Four round lamps, one US trim20002002: GK debuts as a 2003 US model20022005: Smoked headlights for the GK20052007: SIII gets a sharper face20072008: TSIII and the end of production2008 Hyundai Excel: 1985–1999Hyundai ExcelHyundai Scoupe (original): 1990–1992Hyundai Scoupe (facelift): 1993–1995Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon (RD) (RD): 1996–2001RDHyundai Coupe / Tiburon (GK) (GK): 2001–2008GKHyundai Veloster: 2011–Hyundai Veloster 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones24811141617
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1985–1999Hyundai Excel
1990–1992Hyundai Scoupe (original)
1993–1995Hyundai Scoupe (facelift)
1996–2001Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon (RD) (RD)
2001–2008Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon (GK) (GK)
2011–Hyundai Veloster
1992HCD-1 sketches the future
1996April debut starts the RD era
1998UK F2 arrives in Racing Blue
1999Peter Stevens shapes the F2 Evolution
2000Four round lamps, one US trim
2002GK debuts as a 2003 US model
2005Smoked headlights for the GK
2007SIII gets a sharper face
2008TSIII and the end of production
  1. 1992

    HCD-1 sketches the future

    The HCD-1 debuts in Detroit; designer Chool-heon Choi later traces the Tiburon’s curves to its dolphin-inspired form.5

  2. 1996

    April debut starts the RD era

    The Tiburon launches in April. The first-generation RD remains in production through 2001.12

  3. 1998

    UK F2 arrives in Racing Blue

    The UK-only F2 launches in July, offering exclusive Racing Blue paint; the first 500 buyers can get a book signed by Kenneth Eriksson.2

  4. 1999

    Peter Stevens shapes the F2 Evolution

    Peter Stevens and MSD rework the UK 2.0 SE with a new inlet cam and larger exhaust: 154 hp, with 1,513 F2 Evolutions built.26

  5. 2000

    Four round lamps, one US trim

    The US lineup merges base and FX into one trim, while four round headlights replace the original teardrops.7

  6. 2002

    GK debuts as a 2003 US model

    The GK brings a 2.7 L V6 and an optional six-speed manual. US buyers skip the 2002 model year and receive it as a 2003 model.28

  7. 2005

    Smoked headlights for the GK

    The GK gains smoked headlights, new taillights and wheel designs for the 2005 model year.2

  8. 2007

    SIII gets a sharper face

    For 2007, UK cars wear the SIII name, with elongated headlights, a letterbox grille, fresh side vents and a reshaped rear.29

  9. 2008

    TSIII and the end of production

    Production ends after two generations. The late TSIII dresses its 141 hp 2.0 L four with anthracite wheels, quilted seats and quad exhausts.310

Every generation

  • Hyundai Excel
    Hyundai Excel1985–1999
  • Hyundai Scoupe (original)
    Hyundai Scoupe (original)1990–1992
  • Hyundai Scoupe (facelift)
    Hyundai Scoupe (facelift)1993–1995
  • Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon (RD)
    RD1996–2001
  • Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon (GK)
    GK2001–2008
  • Hyundai Veloster
    Hyundai Veloster

Power over the years

From 154 hp to 172 hp in 7 years.

050100150200 1996199820002002200420062008 hp 1996 · 154 hp · RD tuned 2.01997 · 130 hp · US base 1.81997 · 140 hp · US FX 2.01998 · 140 hp · Base and FX share the 2.01999 · 154 hp · UK F2 Evolution2003 · 138 hp · Base 2.02003 · 172 hp · GT V6 2.72008 · 141 hp · TSIII 2.0 172 hp GT V6 2.7 154 hp RD tuned 2.0
2361114
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1996154RD tuned 2.0
1997130US base 1.8
1997140US FX 2.0
1998140Base and FX share the 2.0
1999154UK F2 Evolution
2003138Base 2.0
2003172GT V6 2.7
2008141TSIII 2.0

Versions

6 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Tiburon base / FX (US)

    1997–2001

  • 1.6S / 2.0SE / V6 (UK)

    Standard

    1.6S / 2.0SE / V6 (UK)

  • Limited

    TSIII

    2008

    141 hp
  • F2 Evolution (UK)

    Limited

    F2 Evolution (UK)

    1999

    154 hp

    1,513 built

  • F2 (UK)

    Limited

    F2 (UK)

    1998–1999

  • Limited

    TS Tiger Shark (Australia)

    2005–2006

How to spot one

Look for

  • The original nose has two teardrop headlights; the first facelift has four round lights.7
  • Second-generation shape: long hood, short rear deck and sharp creases in the front fenders.215
  • Early second-generation cars have tall gill-like vents in the front fenders.2
  • SIII cars have elongated headlights, a letterbox-style grille and smaller fender gills.29

Year by year

  1. 1999 / 2000 facelift

    Four round headlights replace the teardrop pair; new bumpers and larger rear lights distinguish the RD2 facelift.2711

  2. 2002 / 2003 model year

    New second-generation body: sharper front-fender creases, a long hood and a short rear deck.215

  3. 2005 (GK facelift)

    Smoked headlights, redesigned front air dam and tail lights, new alloy designs and revised front-fender air intakes.213

  4. 2007 (SIII)

    Slim, angled headlights, a letterbox grille, smaller fender gills and a reshaped rear; the antenna moves into the hatch glass.29

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Hyundai Coupe
    Coupe
    Photo of a Hyundai Genesis Coupe
    Hyundai Genesis Coupe

    Hyundai Genesis Coupe

    Read the model name: Tuscani is the South Korean second-generation Coupe; Genesis Coupe is a later, separate model.24

  • Hyundai Veloster

    The Veloster has a higher roof and an extra rear door on the passenger side; the Coupe has only two side doors.24

Against its rivals

  • Coupe vs Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS (2003)

    Price as tested lower is better

    Coupe$19,344
    Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS (2003)$26,532
    18
  • Acura RSX Type-S

    Coupe vs Acura RSX Type-S

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Coupe7 s
    Acura RSX Type-S6.7 s
    12
  • Toyota Celica GT-S

    Coupe vs Toyota Celica GT-S

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Coupe7 s
    Toyota Celica GT-S7.3 s
    12

Prices

Value today $1.2K–$12.0K811

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 200020052010201520202025 Value today: $1,200–$12,000 2000 · $14,434 · US base2000 · $15,149 · US as tested2003 · $18,494 · US GT V6 base2003 · $19,344 · US GT V6, as tested2005 · $21,449 · US SE V6, equipped MSRP2008 · $23,000 · US GT V6, reviewed car 2000 · $14,434 · US base price, 2000 model year 2024 · $9,307 · 2007 SE V6 6-speed, 24k miles, BaT2025 · $8,100 · 2006 SE V6 6-speed, 36k miles, BaT2026 · $17,500 · 2005 SE V6 6-speed, 2,300 miles, BaT $17.5K BaT, 2026
271825272829
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2000Launch price$14,434US base price, 2000 model year
2000Price when new$14,434US base
2000Price when new$15,149US as tested
2003Price when new$18,494US GT V6 base
2003Price when new$19,344US GT V6, as tested
2005Price when new$21,449US SE V6, equipped MSRP
2008Price when new$23,000US GT V6, reviewed car
2024Auction sale$9,3072007 SE V6 6-speed, 24k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$8,1002006 SE V6 6-speed, 36k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$17,5002005 SE V6 6-speed, 2,300 miles, BaT
2026Value today$1,200–$12,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 6 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “Group A homologation number 5571”
    • “265 hp, 955 kg and ninth in Australia”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 3 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Tiburon Restoration Project 1 The Tiburon: Korea’s First Independently Developed Sports Car | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  2. Hyundai Tiburon - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Hyundai Coupe TSIII | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  4. Hyundai Coupé – alles wat je moet weten - AutoRAI.nl autorai.nl
  5. Tiburon Restoration Project 2 The Design Revolution Brought to Life by Hyundai’s Vision | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  6. Car Enthusiast NEWS - by CAINT.COM carenthusiast.com
  7. Hyundai Tiburon — Car and Driver (2000 road test) caranddriver.com
  8. 2003-08 Hyundai Tiburon | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  9. Hyundai Coupe | evo evo.co.uk
  10. The Hyundai Tiburon Was A Quintessential Affordable Sporty Coupe jalopnik.com
  11. 1997-01 Hyundai Tiburon | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  12. 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 - First Drive & Road Test Review - Motor Trend Magazine motortrend.com
  13. Youngtimer Hyundai Coupé (2002–2009): Sportlichkeit zum kleinen Preis auto-motor-und-sport.de
  14. Hyundai Tiburon (RD) - Autocade autocade.net
  15. 2003 Hyundai Tiburon First Drive caranddriver.com
  16. Hyundai Excel - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Hyundai Scoupe - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. 2002 Front-Wheel-Drive Sports Coupes Comparison Test caranddriver.com
  19. FIA Historic Database historicdb.fia.com
  20. juwra.com  |  Hyundai Coupe Evo2 juwra.com
  21. Paul Choiniere's 1999 Hyundai Tiburon ProRally Car, Rally Racing News rallyracingnews.com
  22. Lake Superior ProRally, Michelin SCCA ProRally Championship 1999, Rally Racing News rallyracingnews.com
  23. OT Coupe Cup | BARC barc.net
  24. A Personal Ode to the Hyundai Tiburon: A Columnist’s Love Affair with a Classic | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  25. No Reserve: 2,300-Mile 2005 Hyundai Tiburon SE V6 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,500 on September 5, 2026 (Lot #261,636) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 2006 HYUNDAI COUPE ATLANTIC | Sat 27th & Sun 28th January | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  27. 2008 Hyundai Tiburon GT V6 - Hyundai Sport Coupe Review - Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  28. No Reserve: 24k-Mile 2007 Hyundai Tiburon SE V6 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,307 on May 4, 2024 (Lot #145,548) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. No Reserve: 36k-Mile 2006 Hyundai Tiburon SE V6 6-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,100 on June 20, 2025 (Lot #197,080) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • hyundaimotorgroup.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autorai.nl
  • carenthusiast.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • jalopnik.com
  • motortrend.com
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • autocade.net
  • historicdb.fia.com
  • juwra.com

Photo credits

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