Hyundai goes back to the future with Pony concept
Giugiaro designed the first Pony almost 50 years ago - now he's back for the restoration
Whether production or concept, Hyundai is on a design roll at the moment. Cars like the Grandeur perfectly channelled the 1980s, while those in the showroom like the Ioniq 5 smartly combine futuristic styling with proper practicality. Now it’s time for another retro resurrection, albeit a slightly different one this time around - because this Pony Coupe Concept isn’t much changed at all.
The original was first revealed at the 1974 Turin motor show, a handsome Giugiaro-designed two-door that nobody expected from such a young Korean company. It’s gone on to be considered something of a classic, and inspired recent concepts like the N Vision 74. So instead of reinventing the Pony, it’s been rebuilt. They’ve even managed to get old man Giugiaro involved, at 84, along with his son Fabrizio.
So if this looks a lot like a Hyundai Pony, then that’s exactly the point of the Coupe Concept, especially as the original no longer exists: ‘the Pony Coupe Concept has been faithfully recreated to exacting specifications and original materials’ reads the press release. Of course, there are modern details, with sharper surfaces and a refreshed interior, but this is never going to be mistaken for anything but a Pony. And it’s looking better than ever. Hyundai points to the ‘wedge-shaped snout’ as well as ‘geometric lines, a sleek roofline, pure unadorned surfaces, dynamic proportions’ and that funky B-pillar for the impact - it still looks cool, that’s for sure. No wonder Giugiaro wanted everyone reminded of his work.
Don’t expect tyre scorching performance, however, as the Pony is faithfully restored all the way down to a modest 1.2-litre, 82hp engine. It is rear-wheel drive, though. All told it seems a real shame that the Pony never made production in this form, a fate attributed to the industrial mess of the 1970s. ‘What could have been Hyundai’s first sensational sports cars was unable to reach commercial production and was lost to history’ - pity.
Now the Pony is getting its 15 minutes of fame. The Coupe Concept will be at this weekend’s Villa d’Este concours, part of the Hyundai Reunion event, an appropriately glamorous location for such a significant car. (Hopefully, that means some better pics can follow as well.) Expect plenty more Reunion-style activities, too, as Hyundai continues to best use its heritage to inform future EV products.
“In the age of electrification, a key condition for Hyundai Motor Company to become a leader in future mobility will be our ability to remain faithful to the unshakable values we inherited,” said Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai President and CEO. “Moving forward… we will continue to leverage our past as a unique vector for our future innovation.” Could do an awful lot worse, surely, than junking the 1.2 for some batteries and keeping the Pony exactly the same. The perfect foil for an electric Opel Manta…
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
We still had the Marina and Mk3 Cortina. VW was still nervous about going front-engined. BMW were building the -02 and E3. Mercedes still had stacked headlights. Televisions only had 3 channels...
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
We still had the Marina and Mk3 Cortina. VW was still nervous about going front-engined. BMW were building the -02 and E3. Mercedes still had stacked headlights. Televisions only had 3 channels...
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
We still had the Marina and Mk3 Cortina. VW was still nervous about going front-engined. BMW were building the -02 and E3. Mercedes still had stacked headlights. Televisions only had 3 channels...
Definitely not one of Hyundai's better moments.
Contrast this with the Ioniq5 which tastefully combines modern stance and surfacing with a profile that dates from the late 1970s / early 1980s. It's easier on the eye than the Pony, because it communicates more easily in a language we understand - at least in part.
I like the Pony for what it is - a clean angular design from the 1970s. I personally prefer the N Vision 74, because that follows the Ioniq5 path - I can relate to it more.
Good for Hyundai though - recreating the original as best they can. The design is a lesson in clean surfacing and sharply defined character lines. BMW & Mercedes (and a host of others) - look, and learn.
There are at least 3 Kia EV6's I see walking from my house to the park, which is not very far. I think the premium brands will certainly struggle, as those previous customers who couldn't my German brands fast enough, are looking elsewhere.
Would really like to see a production N Vision... Lose the wing and diffuser, sort the side air intake and give it solid underpinnings and I reckon they'd have a winner on their hands.
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
In 1974 the Pony would have looked very modern.
More here:
https://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Audi_100S_Mittelm...
As an owner of a TR7 i can only say that a radical design being fitted with a weedy engine is a familiar feeling.
Check out the CV of one Luc Donckerwolke
The tapered bottom half of the body and the inset wheels make it look incredibly pigeon toed.
Like a cheap DeLorean knock off
We still had the Marina and Mk3 Cortina. VW was still nervous about going front-engined. BMW were building the -02 and E3. Mercedes still had stacked headlights. Televisions only had 3 channels...
My comment tried to relate the impact the original would have created among some of its contemporaries back in 1974. I was alive then, but not old enough to remember anything about it (before you ask).
I absolutely agree that this looks "unconventional" when viewed alongside modern styling language, but it's not trying to look like a new car.
Sorry if that's hard to grasp.
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