Nearly 50 years after its original debut, the Pony Coupe has been meticulously rebuilt to exact specifications and original materials by original designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Pony Coupe is now regarded as a retro-futuristic classic that inspired the design of the latest Hyundai Motor models and represents an important part of the brand’s proud heritage.

Like the original, the origami-inspired exterior design features geometric lines and clean, unadorned surfaces, while the minimalist interior features driver-focused floating architecture.

After nearly 50 years of its original debut, Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled a restoration of the Pony Coupe concept, the company first unveiled it at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, and today it presents a completely reborn vehicle.

During Hyundai’s inaugural meeting, held at Pliniana’s historic villa on Lake Como in Italy, former and current Hyundai engineers and designers gathered to celebrate the restoration, including Giorgetto Giugiaro, the concept car’s original father, and his son Fabrizio Giugiaro, founders of the Italian GFG Style brand. Hyundai Motor also revealed its N Vision 74 concept, inspired by the Pony Coupe concept. These cars represent a kinship between the past and the future of the company, demonstrating its constant commitment to being innovative and daring.

“Despite the inhospitable industrial environment of the 1970s, my grandfather and founding chairman of Hyundai, Ju-Yong Chung, put his whole body and soul into rebuilding Korea’s economy and improving the lives of its people after the devastating Korean World War. He has finally realized his vision of turning Korea into a country capable of developing its own cars to perfection,” said Yusun Chung, CEO of Hyundai Motor Group. “I express my sincere gratitude to all those who, both in Italy and in Korea, have played a decisive role in the success of Pony.”

The car is now regarded as a retro-futuristic classic that inspired the design of the latest Hyundai Motor models, such as the Rolling Lab N Vision 74 hydrogen hybrid electric car and the 45 EV concept car, which directly influenced the IONIQ 5 all-electric car.

“In the age of electrification, the key to making Hyundai Motor Company a leader in the mobility of the future will be our ability to stay true to the unwavering values ​​we have inherited,” said Jehun Chang, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Motor. Company. “Looking forward, through the Hyundai Reunion and other heritage transfer initiatives, we will continue to use our past as a unique vector for our future innovations.”

The Pony Coupe’s origami-like exterior features flowing geometric lines, a sleek roofline, clean, unpainted surfaces, dynamic proportions and a uniquely shaped B-pillar. It has an extremely graphic surface finish with body-coloured bumpers. Its wedge-shaped nose and round headlights made it stand out in 1974, and it still looks very elegant today. Its shortened code (“swimming tail”) has a thin hatch that gives access to the rear of the car.

The minimalist interior exhibits an iconic sensibility that highlights the one-piece design and driver-focused floating architecture. The single-spoke steering wheel and narrow two-tone bucket seats accentuate what was a futuristic aesthetic in the 1970s.

Asked about his first interaction with Hyundai on the development of the 1973 Pony Coupe, more than fifty years before the meeting, Giugiaro said: “Hyundai contacted us to initiate a complete overhaul of the model. We were all impressed with the passion and commitment of the engineers who were insightful, curious, open minded and eager to learn. I am proud to have watched the development of this company since we first met.”

Luc Donckerwolke, President and Creative Director of Hyundai Motor Group, added: “The restoration of this unique vehicle is a significant milestone in Hyundai’s history. It represents our beginnings and our commitment to the future. It serves as a legacy for future generations. This actually symbolizes the moving baton that we are passing from the past to the future of the company.”

“The rebirth of the Pony Coupe symbolizes not only our beginnings, but also our commitment to the future of our new dreams,” said Sang Yup Lee, executive vice president and head of the Hyundai Design Center.

“It is very important that important people from the early days of the company meet with those who lead the company into the future,” said Sungwon Ji, senior vice president and head of global marketing at Hyundai Motor Company. “It also marks the launch of Hyundai Reunion, our platform to showcase the brand’s heritage. Here you can see how our past successes continue to serve as the basis for our bold stance today. This spirit of innovation can be seen in these two models, as well as in the people who made them possible.”

“The restoration of the Pony Coupe represents a commitment to further evolution in the automotive world. At Hyundai, we move into the future without forgetting where we come from and what steps we have taken, so every day we work with the best professionals in the industry around the world who are able to create and revive such models, bringing their spirit intact and adapting to new technologies. For Hyundai Colombia, this is a cause for celebration because vehicles like the Pony Coupe started a series of models that are today leaders in mobility,” says Luis Torres, CEO of Hyundai Colombia.

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

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