Hyundai’s jump-off level to turning into a world automobile producer was the Pony Coupe Concept that made its debut on the 1974 Turin Motor Show. The long-lost automobile is coming again with the assistance of the unique designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, with the extremely influential wedge-style idea automobile being reconstructed for its first public look subsequent spring.
“Not solely does this undertaking maintain historic worth, nevertheless it additionally represents a cross-cultural alternate that might pave the best way for extra collaborations down the highway,” says Luc Donckerwolke, Hyundai chief artistic officer.
Let’s journey again in time to 1974 when Hyundai Motor Company was in its infancy. At the time, the corporate had by no means developed an impartial automobile mannequin and was making an attempt the daring scheme to design and manufacture Korea’s first mass-produced automobile. Unfortunately, there have been no automobile design and styling capabilities in Korea, and Hyundai was compelled to outsource the idea automobile design. As such, Hyundai commissioned Giugiaro to design, develop blueprints and construct 5 prototypes, one which was a coupe.
The Pony Coupe Concept’s wedge-style nostril and geometric traces foreshadowed his work in designing the 1976 Lotus Esprit and DeLorean DMC-12. Unfortunately, the Pony Coupe’s dream was over in 1981 as international monetary uncertainty led Hyundai to shelve the undertaking, however the Pony nameplate ran from 1975 to 1990 and helped establish Hyundai within the automotive business.
“I designed the Hyundai Pony after I was nonetheless a younger designer initially of my profession,” says Giugiaro. “I felt very proud that I used to be in command of making a automobile for an organization and nation that was about to tackle a fiercely aggressive international market. Now, I’m deeply honored that Hyundai has requested me to rebuild it for posterity and as a celebration of the model’s heritage.”
Today the Pony Coupe Concept’s design remains to be influencing Hyundai, as confirmed by the “45” concept car in 2019 that led to the 2021 IONIQ 5 electrical SUV. The robust basis of a Seventies idea automobile continues with Hyundai’s newest endeavor, the N Vision 74 hydrogen-hybrid growth automobile.
“The authentic Pony and Pony Coupe Concept had been a kind of uncommon creations that influenced the designs of not only one however a number of manufacturing and idea autos, together with our award-winning IONIQ 5 and attention-grabbing N Vision 74,” says SangYup Lee, Hyundai government vp. “Since the unique idea automobile not exists, we’ve commissioned Giorgetto Giugiaro to rebuild it based mostly on our design philosophy, ‘Shaping the longer term with legacy.’”
