The picture of Tiburon in the process of restoration The picture of Tiburon in the process of restoration

2025.01.15 Hyundai Motor Group 분량7min

[Tiburon Restoration Project 1] The Tiburon: Korea’s First Independently Developed Sports Car

In 1996, Hyundai introduced its first fully independently developed sports model, the Tiburon, designed, engineered, and tuned entirely with Hyundai’s own technology. The HMG Journal embarked on the Tiburon restoration project to capture the passion of those who grew up dreaming alongside this iconic car - and, this is the first chapter of that story.

Recently, HMG Journal successfully completed the Tiburon restoration project. Restoring a car that’s nearly 30 years old, inside and out, to near-new condition was no small feat. This project was driven by the passion of those who cherished the Tiburon during their youth, growing up with the car that sparked their love of automobiles. The star of this project is a Tiburon that’s been on the road for almost three decades, along with Jang-hyuck Heo, the man leading its restoration. Heo, now the head of the Korean branch of a German automation company, was once the leader of the Tiburon Owners Group (TOG), a well-known Tiburon enthusiasts club.

The person who requested the Tiburon restoration project and the image of Tiburon in his memory

Heo’s motivation for restoring the Tiburon? To relive the memories of his past and experience the thrill of driving it again.

Given his deep attachment to the Tiburon, this restoration project carried special meaning for Heo. He said, “Restoring the Tiburon now isn’t just about bringing back a car; it’s about reconnecting with the emotions, memories, and moments that shaped who I am today. It’s something truly remarkable.” With such profound memories tied to the Tiburon, let’s explore the car’s significance in Korea’s automotive history in this first episode of the restoration project.


Korea’s First Independently Developed Sports Model

Picture about Hyundai Motor Co.'s cumulative production of 100 million units on September 30, 2024

On September 30, Hyundai announced a major milestone: surpassing 100 million cars produced since the company’s founding 57 years ago.

As most know, Korea’s automotive industry experienced rapid growth in tandem with the country’s economic boom, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River.” Back in 1975, when Hyundai launched Korea’s first indigenous model, the Pony, there were only about 200,000 cars registered in the country. Today, that number is around 25 million. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, Korea produced roughly 4.24 million vehicles last year, maintaining its spot among the global top five automakers. And recently, Hyundai hit its 100 million car production milestone.

These days, the roads are packed with all kinds of vehicles—sedans, SUVs, crossovers, you name it. High-performance cars designed for driving enthusiasts, as well as luxury sports cars with price tags in the millions, are not uncommon sights.

A photo showing the Tiburon catalog at the time of release

When the Tiburon debuted in 1996, it ignited the hearts of young car enthusiasts, boasting a sleek design and a Beta engine that delivered up to 150 horsepower.

Of course, the sports car market wasn’t always thriving. The story begins in 1990 with Hyundai’s Scoupe. As its development code “SLC” (Sport-looking Car) suggests, the Scoupe was a two-door coupe designed to “look sporty.” Its dynamic appearance was rare at the time, making it a hit among younger buyers. In 1991, Hyundai introduced the first model with its own independently developed Alpha engine, followed by the brand’s first turbocharged model.

Then, in April 1996, Hyundai released the Tiburon, Korea’s first fully independent sports model, marking the real start of the domestic sports car market. The Tiburon was built on Hyundai’s in-house technology, featuring sleek styling inspired by concept cars HCD-1 and HCD-2, a powertrain based on the independently developed Beta engine, and a chassis derived from the second-generation Elantra platform.

The picture of Hyundai Tiburon

The Tiburon ignited the beginning of Korea’s sports car era.

The Tiburon immediately became a dream car for young drivers and transformed the landscape of Korean roads. It’s credited with opening a new era for domestic motorsports and car tuning culture. The Tiburon also played a major role in the rise of car clubs, bringing together passionate owners who loved modifying and enjoying their cars. While it didn’t have the highest sales numbers, the Tiburon fostered a community of dedicated enthusiasts who lived and breathed automotive culture.


Hyundai Motor employee who are explaining Tiburon and books of foreign media who introduced Tiburon

Senior manager of Hyundai’s Brand Heritage Team, Kyu-hyuk Kwon, explained that the Tiburon helped elevate Hyundai’s global reputation, with international media taking notice.

“The Tiburon was Korea’s first fully independent sports car, from design to engine to platform,” said senior manager of Hyundai’s Brand Heritage Team, Kyu-hyuk Kwon. “Several overseas magazines praised Hyundai for creating a coupe worth paying attention to.” Built on the Elantra (J2) platform, the Tiburon combined performance with individuality, winning over many fans. This may be why global automotive magazines like Car and Driver in the U.S. and Autocar in the UK gave the Tiburon so much attention.

Shaping a New Era in Korean Motorsports

Automotive Journalist Explaining Tiburon

Automotive journalist Dong-hee Lee explained how the Tiburon revolutionized Korean motorsports after its debut.

Automotive journalist Dong-hee Lee explained how the Tiburon revolutionized Korean motorsports after its debut. Before the Tiburon, Korean motorsports began on dirt roads in the 1980s. Then, in 1995, the Everland Speedway in Yongin opened, establishing on-road racing. The top contenders at the time were the Hyundai Scoupe Turbo and Kia Concord. The Concord, based on a Japanese platform, was popular for its tunability, thanks to easy access to Japanese tuning parts.

Then the Tiburon came along - a game-changer in Korean motorsports. Equipped with a powerful 2.0L Beta engine in a compact body, the Tiburon quickly became a top performer. Its engine, combining a cast iron block with an aluminum head, was also known for its durability. As more teams and sponsors got involved, the popularity of motorsports grew significantly, fueled by the Tiburon’s strong presence on the track. Lee also noted how the Tiburon sparked a boom in the domestic tuning market, with enthusiasts modifying their cars to mimic the race versions they saw.

Racing Driver Explaining Tiburon

Professor (former) Jung-yong Park at Ajou Motor College, and a former racer, was one of the first drivers to win races in the Tiburon.

As one of Korea’s first-generation racers, former professor at Ajou Motor College Jung-yong Park dominated the early domestic racing scene and was the first Korean to compete in the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally in 1988, earning him legendary status in Korean motorsports. Reflecting on the Tiburon’s impact, Park said, “The arrival of the Tiburon completely changed the atmosphere in Korean racing. Its superior performance made it the dominant car in the field, and it felt like every race was a one-make Tiburon series.”

The Legacy and Meaning of the Tiburon

Hyundai Motor Employees Explaining Tiburon

Joon-woo Park, HQ Head of N Brand Management Team, explained that Tiburon served as the mental foundation that made the N brand what it is now

About the meaning manifested in the model, Joon-woo Park, HQ Head of N Brand Management Team, explained: “In the 2021 Elantra N world premiere video, we showed a kid who loves cars learning to drive with a Tiburon and then growing up to enjoy racing on a track. That’s the real story behind the N brand.”


Like his words, the Tiburon holds a special place in Hyundai’s history as the car that inspired a generation of car lovers. Many of those enthusiasts went on to careers in automotive manufacturing, parts, tuning, and motorsports, helping shape Korea’s automotive industry as we know it today.

The person who requested the Tiburon restoration project has competed in amateur races in the past

For Heo, his passion for the Tiburon led him to circuit racing with other car club members. They even participated in the Click Speed Festival, Korea’s first one-make race series, sponsored by Hyundai in 2003. The event is credited with helping to popularize motorsports in Korea, drawing countless amateur racers who shared a love for cars. Now, Heo is eager to rekindle that passion and hit the track again with his restored Tiburon.

Hyundai Motor Employees Explaining Tiburon

Myung-won Won, a research engineer from Hyundai’s MLV Project 5 team, who previously led old car restoration projects, explained what it takes to restore a car like the Tiburon for track use.

What would it take to restore the Tiburon to the point where it could hit the track, just like Heo hopes? Myung-won Won, a research engineer from Hyundai’s MLV Project 5 team, who previously led the company’s old car restoration platform “Old Car,” explains: “To bring the Tiburon’s performance back to like-new condition, it’s not just the body that needs attention—you’d also need to replace the powertrain, wiring, and other electrical components.”

The picture of Tiburon in the process of restoration

For Heo, the goal is simple: to bring back the excitement and passion of his youth with the Tiburon from 30 decades ago. Will the restoration succeed in recapturing that magic? In the next chapter, we’ll dive deeper into the Tiburon’s design story and the behind-the-scenes development of Hyundai’s first sports car. 

By Se-hwan Lee

Film by HMG Journal

Photography by Hyuk-soo Cho

Special thanks to

Car Life(https://www.instagram.com/carlife_archives/), 
Motor Magazine (https://www.motormag.co.kr/)