Giugiaro recreated the Hyundai Pony Coupe prototype

The Pony Coupe, a Hyundai Motor Company concept recreated by GFG Style, made its world premiere nearly 50 years after its original debut — at Lake Como in Italy.

The concept car, originally unveiled at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and has become an important vehicle in the company’s history and design heritage: it helped to instill a respect for innovative design principles within the company during its early days, and thus served is a significant influence on the design direction of his current and future endeavors.

The Pony Coupe Concept is now considered a retro-futuristic classic that served as inspiration for the design of the latest Hyundai Motor models.

During the presentation of this important prototype, Giorgetto Giugiaro recalled the time of half a century ago. Hyundai approached us to start a complete redesign of the model, without much experience. I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know Hyundai Motor at that time.

We were all impressed by the passion and dedication of the Hyundai engineers. They were sharp, curious, open and extremely eager to learn. They immediately accepted working methods that were new to them. They made sacrifices to make a good impression — for the company and their partners. I am proud and honored to witness how this company has evolved since our first meeting, said Djordjeto Giudjaro.

Hyundai Motor unveiled the revamped Pony Coupe concept at the inaugural Hyundai Reunion at Lake Como in Italy, an event that brings together past and present company officials and designers, including original designer Giorgetto Giudgari and his son Fabricio Giudgari, a longtime designer, to signal the previously announced restoration cars that led to the creation of the basic line of the Poni brand, the first Korean mass-produced models that were independently developed.

GFG Style, under the leadership and supervision of Fabrici Đuđar, used the resources and technologies of its styling center for a slightly different goal than usual: not to design new, never-before-seen dream cars, but to recreate a vintage model whose original prototype, unfortunately, lost: starting with drawings and technical diagrams from the period, archival photos and a Hyundai chassis, it was possible to travel through time and bring a vehicle swallowed by the past back to the present.

The exterior of the Pony Coupe concept of sharp lines is characterized by fluid geometric lines, an elegant roof line, clean surfaces without decorations, dynamic proportions, a uniquely shaped B-pillar.

It boasts an extremely graphic surface treatment with bumpers painted in body color. Its wedge-shaped nose and circular headlights distinguished it in 1974 and still look ultra-stylish today.

The minimalist interior showcases the iconic sensibility, emphasizing the monocoque design and floating, driver-centric architecture. The single-spoke steering wheel and two-tone thin seats are a true example of the futuristic aesthetics of the seventies.

By the way, GFG Style is a styling consultancy founded in 2015 based on the exceptional creative experience in car design of Đorđe and Fabrici Đuđar.

Djordjeto is known worldwide as one of the most successful designers in the history of cars. Fabricio has been active in the field of automotive design and architecture for over 30 years. Together, they designed and developed more than 200 prototypes and more than 300 models for numerous car manufacturers that went into series production.