The Pony Coupe, which had disappeared into history, has returned in perfect form.
Hyundai Motor Company held the ‘Hyundai Reunion’ event in Lake Como, Italy on the 18th (local time), where they unveiled the restored ‘Pony Coupe Concept’ model for the first time.
Attended by key current and former executives including Hyundai Motor Group’s Chairman Euisun Chung, the ‘Hyundai Reunion’ serves as a heritage brand platform to look back on the past of Hyundai Motor Company and introduce its unwavering vision and direction toward the future.
Chairman Chung stated, “Founding Chairman Chung Ju-young realized the vision of creating a unique Korean automobile believing that ‘a country that can perfectly produce cars can produce anything, even airplanes,’ despite the poor industrial environment of the 1970s. I sincerely thank everyone, including those in Italy and Korea, who played a crucial role in the success of the Pony.”
During the event, Hyundai Motor Company showcased the results of the ‘Pony Coupe Concept’ restoration project that began last November.
Hyundai Motor Company initiated this project to recall the spirit of founding Chairman Chung and the employees of that era who aspired to develop Korean automobiles as a key export industry and to lead the company into a global brand through the Pony development by restoring the ‘Pony Coupe Concept’ that was presented at the 1974 Turin Motor Show in its original form.
The restoration of the Pony Coupe Concept was carried out in collaboration with the legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son, Fabrizio Giugiaro.
Giorgetto Giugiaro, founder and representative of the Italian design company ‘GFG Style’, is famous for designing numerous early Hyundai models, including the Pony and Pony Coupe, as well as the Pony Excel, Presto, Stella, and the first and second generations of Sonata.
Hyundai Motor Company took the opportunity to reflect on the behind-the-scenes stories during the Pony Coupe development and held a deep conversation about how the company could inherit the innovation that has spanned from the past.
The event was further enriched by the presence of designers and engineers, such as Giorgetto Giugiaro and former Hyundai CEO Lee Chung-gu, who made significant contributions during the development of the Pony concept.
Hyundai Motor’s CEO Chang Jae-hoon stated, “It is important to examine the unchanging brand values from the past as we transition into the era of electrification, as this is vital for Hyundai Motor to become a leader in the future mobility sector. In the future, we will communicate the values that only a historically significant brand can offer, as Hyundai’s various past legacies merge with future innovation through diverse heritage communication activities, including ‘Hyundai Reunion’.”
The Pony Coupe Concept is an unforgettable model in the history of Hyundai Motor Company.
The Pony Coupe Concept, which was displayed alongside the Pony, Hyundai’s first independently produced model, at the Turin Motor Show, garnered global attention at the time with its wedge-shaped nose, round headlights, and geometric lines reminiscent of origami.
The interior space features a driver-centric dashboard designed in a unique layout that is unseen in any other vehicle, and particularly, the separation of dashboard and interior trim colors creates a sophisticated aesthetic that remains timeless.
The Pony Coupe Concept was initially developed as an export strategy vehicle targeting advanced markets following its unveiling in 1974, and it progressed to the brink of mass production. However, it never reached production due to the global economic downturn and worsening management environment prompted by the oil crisis in 1979, compounded further by a flood and other natural disasters that resulted in the loss of drawings and vehicles, leaving it a memory of history for quite some time.
Nevertheless, the Pony Coupe Concept embodies the boldness and innovative spirit of Hyundai Motor Company, which sought to challenge itself in the sports car arena for entering advanced markets. This experience has been a significant asset as Hyundai continues to pioneer the field of high-performance hydrogen electric vehicles and leads the electric vehicle market today.
The Pony and Pony Coupe serve as physical legacies of Hyundai Motor Company’s first independently developed models, encapsulating the uniqueness of the Hyundai brand that distinguishes it from others and offering creative inspiration across various fields even to this day.
Debuting last July and receiving acclaim from global media and customers, the high-performance hydrogen hybrid rolling lab ‘N Vision 74’ was inspired by the Pony Coupe Concept.
During the event, Hyundai Motor Company showcased the Pony Coupe Concept restoration model alongside the N Vision 74, demonstrating the continuity of technological and design innovation and the spirit of challenge that has persisted from the past to the present.
Hyundai aims to present the N Vision 74, which offers a future direction based on its past heritage, at the prestigious classic car and concept car exhibition ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’ in Lake Como, Italy, from May 19th (Friday) to 21st (Sunday).
‘Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este’ is the largest and most historic classic car and concept car exhibition held annually in Italy since its inception in 1929 and serves as a small luxury motor show where one can meet the elegance of both the past and future of automobiles in one place.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Company plans to expand the inaugural Hyundai Reunion held this year into a brand platform that can introduce Hyundai’s heritage in line with global heritage projects and key events.
Through this, Hyundai aims to communicate its vision and direction based on its robust brand heritage during the transformative changes in the mobility industry, including electrification and autonomous driving.
Jang Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr