You might think that Hyundai Group’s design and engineering are now led by Europeans such as Peter Schreyer and Albert Biermann, but Hyundai’s European connections date back to 1975 when it produced the ‘Pony’, a rear-wheel-drive hatchback designed by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro. The Pony was Korea’s first mass-produced and exported vehicle. In Europe, it was also available in sedan and station wagon body styles.
While automakers look back at their past creations for some inspirations for their upcoming vehicles, Hyundai has re-created the Pony with some retro-modern touches such as pixelated headlights and taillights, seen on the 45 concept which later became the Ioniq 5 EV. In fact, the 45 concept’s styling was inspired by the Pony. So, I guess you could say it’s recycling of the design. Also, the fender-mounted exterior mirrors are apparently camera-based.
The exterior of the car is finished in matt silver, with a shimmering effect throughout the vehicle. Notice that the bumpers and the retro wheels also have the pixel detailing.
The chic cabin is also a mix of retro and modern bits. The feature list includes digital touch transmission, cradle space for a mobile phone and a voice-activated steering wheel. Not sure how any of those work, but there’s also the instrument cluster made of something which Hyundai calls “lighted vacuum tubes”. They’re actually the Nixie tubes with filaments in the shape of numbers that glow; Nixie tubes became obsolete in the ’70s. And, the trunk houses a stainless steel case.
Hyundai says that it created the Heritage Series Pony as part of its ‘Reflections in Motion’ exhibition (from April 8 to June 27, 2021) at Hyundai Motorstudio Busan. The Heritage Series Pony “combines distinctive legacy design features with modern touches to offer a glimpse of the future,” the company said in an official statement.
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