Tiburon fresh for '07

Hyundai has facelifted its Tiburon coupe. Largely unchanged since it first appeared in 2002, the two-door fastback gets a new front-end look for 2007 as well as an equipment boost and work under the skin.

Changes at the front-end include a more aggressive nose with 'sharper' headlamps, a reprofiled bonnet and a new, almost Fiat 20V Coupe-style, nose. There's a more overt (read: bigger!) rear spoiler and what looks like new tail lamps with metal-look bezels.

The coupe's 17-inch wheels now sport a new five-arm, twin-spoke design.

Inside, the Tiburon's aircon system is now fully automatic and gains AQS (Air Quality System) which automatically recirculates if it senses polluted outside air. The audio system has been upgraded and other detailed changes include blue instrument illumination.

Hyundai has beefed up the safety spec of the V6 coupe too. Tiburon now adds ESP and front seat side thorax airbags to its safety suite which already included dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and front seat belt pre-tensioners and load-limiters.

Hyundai's suspension tweaks for the 2007 Tiburon include new front lower control arms and bushes to deliver what the maker claims are more neutral cornering characteristics. Damping has been improved also, the maker says.

Under the bonnet, the Tiburon's 123kW/245Nm 2.7-litre 24-valve DOHC V6 is unchanged.

Pricing for the new model Tiburon starts at $34,990 for the six-speed manual, with the Selectronic auto transmission variant priced from $36,780. Hyundai offers a factory-fitted power tilt/slide sunroof as a $1500 option.

To kick off the '07 model year a TS limited launch edition will be offered finished in 'Vivid Blue' metallic paint and fitted with sunroof, black leather interior trim, TS badging and monogrammed carpet mats.

Tiburon TS will be available at launch nationally priced at $37,590/$39,380 for the manual and auto versions respectively.

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