Hyundai goes back to the future with the Pony Coupe
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Hyundai goes back to the future with the Pony Coupe

Hyundai Pony Coupe

The futuristic Hyundai Pony Coupe which was designed by Giugiaro was unveiled in Italy in 1974

Hyundai recently unveiled the recreated Pony Coupe Concept nearly 50 years after its original debut in Lake Como, Italy.

Originally unveiled at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the Pony Coupe Concept is an important vehicle in the company’s history and design heritage. Here’s why.

With its unique aesthetic sensibility, the Pony Coupe Concept was a groundbreaking model in its time. Unfortunately, due to the adverse global economic conditions in the late 1970s, what could have been Hyundai’s first sensational sports car was unable to reach commercial production and was lost to history.

Nevertheless, the concept embodies Hyundai’s bold determination to enter the sports-car sector for long-term leadership as an automotive company – this spirit still underlies in Hyundai’s leadership in electrification and high-performance hydrogen technology.

Hyundai Pony Coupe

The car is now considered a retro-futuristic classic that has served as design inspiration for more recent Hyundai Motor models, such as the N Vision 74 hydrogen-hybrid electric ‘Rolling Lab’ development vehicle and the ‘45’ EV concept car that directly influenced the IONIQ 5 all-electric vehicle.

The Pony Coupe Concept’s origami-like exterior features flowing geometric lines, a sleek roofline, pure unadorned surfaces, dynamic proportions, a uniquely shaped B pillar. It boasts an extremely graphic surface treatment with bumpers painted in body color.

Its wedge-shaped snout and circular headlamps distinguished it in 1974 and still look ultra-stylish today. Its coda tronca (‘cut-off tail’) has a slim hatch to provide access to the back of the car.

The minimalist interior showcases an iconic sensibility highlighting the monocoque design and driver-centered floating architecture. A single-spoke steering wheel and two-toned slim-line bucket seats reinforce what was in the 1970s a futuristic aesthetic.

When asked about his first interaction with Hyundai on the development of the 1973 Pony Coupe Concept more than fifty years prior to the reunion, Giugiaro revealed, “Hyundai approached us to start a complete redesign of a model, without much experience. I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know Hyundai Motor at that time. We were all impressed by the passion and commitment of the Hyundai engineers. They were sharp, curious, open and extremely eager to learn. They immediately embraced the working methods that were new to them. They sacrificed themselves to make a good impression — for company and their partners. I’m proud and honored to witness how this company has evolved since we first met.”

Hyundai Pony Coupe

“It is very special to have significant people from the company’s early days meet those who are leading the company into the future,” said Sungwon Jee, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer at Hyundai Motor Company.

“It also marks the launch of Hyundai Reunion, our platform for showcasing the brand’s heritage. This is where one can see how our past success still serves as a basis for our daring attitude today. This spirit of innovation can be seen in these two models as well as the people who made them possible.”

As part of the global heritage project, Hyundai Motor will expand its new brand platform, Hyundai Reunion to further spread its brand vision and direction.

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