After 50 years, it was unveiled in its native Italy

Hyundai Motor Company’s redesigned Pony Coupe concept made its world debut – nearly 50 years after its debut – at Lake Como in Italy.

First unveiled at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, the Pony Coupe Concept is an important car in the company’s history and design heritage.

Hyundai Motor unveiled the redesigned Pony Coupe Concept at the ‘Hyundai Reunion’, a brand heritage platform that reflects Hyundai Motor’s past and future direction. Among the representatives present at the event are Mr. Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Mr. Fabrizio Giugiaro, who is also an architect, to mark the highly publicized renovation completed by GFG Sinema, a fashion center based on the creative skills of Fabrizio and Giorgetto, the car that led to the creation of the marque’s centralt Pony series, the first independent Korean mass-produced models.

As part of the Pony Coupe Concept reconstruction project, Hyundai Motor Company revived the original Pony Coupe Concept presented at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. This reconstruction project is a testament to the passion, passion and ambition that the crew had. and Hyundai Management to create a global brand with the Pony Coupe Concept at the forefront.

“Despite the poor industrial environment of the 1970s, my grandfather and the founder of Hyundai Ju-young Chung put his heart and soul into rebuilding the Korean economy and improving the lives of the people after the devastating Korean War. He finally realized the vision. which was none other than to make Korea a country capable of producing its own cars” said Mr. Euisun Chung, Executive Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. “I express my sincere gratitude to everyone in Italy and Korea who played an important role in the success of Pony.”

With its unique beauty, the Pony Coupe Concept was a pioneering model for its time. Unfortunately, due to the global economic crisis in the late 1970s, Hyundai’s first spectacular car never made it to the production line and was lost to history. However, this concept embodies Hyundai’s bold determination to enter the sports car sector aiming for long-term leadership in the automotive industry – this spirit still relies on Hyundai’s leadership in electric and high-performance hydrogen technology.

The car is now considered to be a classic modern car that has served as the design inspiration for Hyundai Motor’s most recent models such as the ‘Rolling Lab’ N Vision 74 and the ’45’ EV prototype which directly influenced the award-winning IONIQ 5- electric car.

“In the age of electrification, a key requirement for Hyundai Motor Company to be a leader in future mobility will be our ability to remain true to the strong values ​​we have inherited,” said Mr. Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai. A car company. “Moving forward, through the Hyundai Reunion, we will continue to use our past as a unique vehicle for our future innovations.”

The original exterior of the Pony Coupe Concept features clean geometric lines, a smooth roof, clean surfaces, dynamic proportions and a uniquely shaped B-pillar with body-colored bumpers. Its wedge-shaped nose and rounded headlights set it apart in 1974 and it still looks very stylish today. Its coda tronca (“cut off tail”) makes the car even more interesting.

Its minimalistic interior reflects an iconic sensibility that highlights its unique design (very light and ultra-slim design) and driver-centric architecture. A monotone steering wheel and two-line bucket seats reinforce the 1970s aesthetic.

When asked about his first interaction with Hyundai on the development of the 1973 Pony Coupe Concept more than fifty years before the reunion, renowned designer Mr. Giugiaro revealed: “Hyundai approached us to start a complete redesign of a model, without much experience. I was skeptical at first because I did not know Hyundai Motor at the time. We were all impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the Hyundai engineers. They were insightful, open and very ready learning. They immediately embraced working methods that were new to them. I am proud and honored to watch how this company has changed since we first met.”

Mr. Luc Donckerwolke, President and Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, added: “The redesign of this unique vehicle is an important milestone in Hyundai’s history. It represents our beginning and our commitment to the future. It serves as a legacy for future generations. It basically marks the passing of the baton from the past to the future of the company.”

“The Pony Coupe concept shows the company’s gratitude and commitment to the best spirit of the people of Hyundai Motor in 1974,” said Mr. SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center. “The rebirth of the Pony Coupe Concept is an important step in Hyundai Motor’s history because it not only marks our beginning but also our commitment to the future and our new dreams.”

“It is very special to meet important people from the early days of the company and those who lead the company in the future,” said Mr. Sungwon Jee, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Hyundai Motor Company. “It also marks the launch of Hyundai Reunion, our platform to showcase the brand’s heritage. Here one can see how our past successes still serve as the foundation for our bold stance today. That spirit of innovation is reflected in these two models as well as in the people who made them possible. .”

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