2006 Hyundai Tiburon SE review

Hyundai Tiburon SE review:

The 2006 model year Hyundai Tiburon marks the 10th anniversary for the popular Tiburon model line. Introduced in 1996 as a sport coupe offering responsive performance and great value, the Tiburon has grown to become a powerful force in the sport-coupe segment.

After benefiting from freshened styling last year, for 2006 the Hyundai Tiburon now has standard safety and security features that used to be extra cost options. Fog lamps, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and a new key fob with alarm now join the standard equipment list.

The Tiburon is offered in four trim levels for 2006, including the racy and affordable Tiburon GS, the refined performance Tiburon GT, the sophisticated GT Limited and the ultimate performance Hyundai Tiburon SE.

There are more positive changes for 2006. The power sunroof is now individually available as an option on the Tiburon GS, and a dramatic new color, Orange Crush, has been added exclusively for the SE model. Inside, the Tiburon gets an attractive new design for the center stack (the panel containing HVAC and audio systems), plus a larger digital clock.

Dynamic Exterior Styling

When it comes to commanding respect in the sport-coupe segment, the 2006 Tiburon has all the qualifications it needs. Restyled for the 2005 model year, it marries aggressive, dynamic bodylines with classic coupe proportions to create an exciting personality all its own.

Up front are modern projector lens headlights, standard fog lights and a deeply set front fascia. Body-side style lines streak back from the front wheel openings, mimicking the rush of air past the car, while the sharply raked windshield blends seamlessly into a sleek roofline that flows elegantly back to the rear hatch. The long 99.6-inch wheelbase likewise connotes a sense of speed, as does the body colored low-profile rear spoiler (body colored high-profile spoiler on Tiburon SE), short rear overhang and bright dual exhausts.

The Interior

Performance and value. These powerful terms describe the 2006 Tiburon as a whole-and its interior environment as well. As a sport coupe, the Tiburon is designed to provide an exciting driving experience. It begins with easy entry and exit through wide door openings, and front seats with large side bolsters offering excellent lateral support for enthusiastic driving. High-quality seating surfaces range from full fabric on the Tiburon GS, to red cloth inserts with black leather bolsters on the GT and SE, to unique beige leather seating surfaces on the Tiburon GT Limited.

All-Aluminum 2.7-Liter V6

Standard on the 2006 Tiburon GT, SE and GT Limited is a powerful all-aluminum 2.7-liter V6. The DOHC, 24-valve engine is rated at 172 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at a low 3800 rpm. The big torque numbers particularly benefit drivers in daily driving challenges such as initial acceleration, entering freeway on-ramps, passing and hill climbing.

A standard five-speed manual transmission takes full advantage of the V6`s additional power-while a six-speed manual takes charge in the Tiburon SE. A four-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC is available on the GT and SE.

The Hyundai Tiburon SE

The Tiburon SE is designed to fill a growing need for attainable sporty performance. Outfitted with the 2.7-liter DOHC V6 engine and close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, it`s made for enthusiast drivers interested in sport-compact performance. In fact, all of its unique appointments-above and beyond the Tiburon GT equipment level-are aimed at pure usability and performance. The exterior features include red aluminum front brake calipers, a high-profile rear spoiler and a standard sunroof. Inside, you`ll find trick racing-style aluminum pedals, manual air conditioning, six-speaker Kenwood audio system, and a multi-gauge instrument cluster including a voltmeter, torque meter and fuel consumption gauge. An exclusive new color, Orange Crush, is available for the 2006 Tiburon SE. End of Hyundai Tiburon SE review.