Update: The Stunning Hyundai N Vision 74 Is Not Going Into Production
It isn’t often that the internet collectively agrees on anything. But when Hyundai unveiled its N Vision 74 concept in 2022, the reviews were near-universal praise. At the time, the retro-styled sports car wasn’t expected to be anything more than an exhibition of design. However, a piece from South Korea’s Money Today and first reported by Motor 1, indicate that the Hyundai N Vision 74 may be headed to production.
Hyundai N Vision 74 production announcement expected for May 27
According to the Money Today report, Hyundai is organizing a “Pony Day”, so named for the first Giugiaro-designed Hyundai model that the N Vision 74 is based on. Said to be hosted at Hyundai’s design studio in Seoul, the event is expected to include a number of announcements. The headline for the event, reportedly, is the reveal of the production version of the Hyundai N Vision 74.
Styling will likely be tamer than the eye-popping concept, and the name changes to, appropriately, the Hyundai Pony.
No comment from Hyundai
Notably, the Money Today article cites no sources for its claim that the N Vision 74 is headed to production. Furthermore, Hyundai itself has yet to comment on the rumors.
However, top executives from the Korean brand expressed interest in producing the retro-styled sports car. Till Wartenburg went so far as to say, “My personal wish is to produce this vehicle. It’s at first probably an investment, but if we could see this vehicle really out there and people buying it, I would be very happy.”
The will of one executive isn’t all that it takes to produce such a radical car. However, Wartenburg is VP of Hyundai’s high-performance N division. So, there may be some fire behind all this smoke, after all.
The retro design has everyone talking
It’s been just shy of one year since Hyundai first revealed the N Vision 74. Upon reveal, there wasn’t a car enthusiast anywhere that didn’t take notice. The design draws from none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro, the same man who designed such icons as the Delorean, the original BMW M1, countless Lamborghini and Maserati models, and even the MK1 Volkswagen Golf.
And while not all of Giugiaro’s designs are iconic, he’s put his pen to enough legendary automotive masterpieces to warrant reverence across generations.
As such, the Hyundai N Vision 74 is a nod to both the brand’s own heritage and the legacy of Giugiaro himself. As the man who designed the original Hyundai Pony, it is only fitting that this new car, 50 years later, is an homage to Giugiaro’s legacy.
Hyundai Pony likely coming as a 2024 model
While there are no confirmed details at this time, it’s likely that the retro-styled Hyundai Pony will arrive as a 2024 model. That makes it a perfect 50 years from the first Hyundai Pony and the modern-retro recreation.
In addition, such a late announcement means that any production plans wouldn’t begin until late summer or early fall. At that point, the production Hyundai N Vision 74 would certainly fall into the 2024 lineup.
Update: Hyundai says no production plans for the N Vision 74
New developments indicate that the speculation of a production N Vision 74 with the Pony nameplate are false.
In speaking to CarScoops, Hyundai spokesperson Derek Joyce stated, “We are aware of media speculations on the potential commercial production of the N Vision 74 rolling lab development model. However, we currently have no plan to put the model into commercial production.”
Sorry, but it looks like those early reports are nothing but smoke. As sad as that is, at least the upcoming Hyundai IONIQ 5 N promises to deliver an exhilarating performance car with old-school looks. Still, a production version of the N Vision 74 would have been nothing short of thrilling.
