• Hyundai Pony

Hyundai Pony (in hangul: "Hyeondae" means "modernity") – is the oldest car deflated by the Korean car brand Hyundai. It was the first of its own structure of the company. It was produced between 1975 – 1994 and had four generations – the third and the fourth was sold in some countries, for example in the United States under a different name – Hyundai Excel. Successor Hyundai Pony in Poland was Hyundai Accent (in 1994).

Hyundai Pony first generation was presented for the first time in October 1974 during the 55th Motor Show in Turin, Italy. His body was designed by renowned Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro of Italdesign.

The car went into production and sales year later, in December 1975. Hyundai Pony was initially sold only in South Korea. In 1976, Hyundai began exporting Pony’ego to Ecuador in 1978 to Europe – at the beginning of the Netherlands and Belgium, and later also to the Greek.

The car was available in a total of four body styles – first as a four-door sedan, introduced later version of the pick-up (May 1976), combo (April 1977). At the latest sales hit three-door hatchback version (March 1980). Hyundai Pony first generation weighed about 910 kilograms.

Production Hyundai Pony-generation ended in 1981 after six years.

In January 1982, was presented the second generation of the Hyundai Pony. Major changes have been made in the front of the car, which adds light and rectangular black plastic front grille. Were also performed cosmetic changes in the body of the car and changed the look of its interior.

Withdrawn version of the sedan and station wagon; Hyundai Pony II was only available in versions of five-door hatchback and two-door pick-up.

In 1982, Hyundai began exporting the model Pony II of the United Kingdom. Two years later, in 1984, also started selling a special version of Pony’ego II (adapted to local standards) to Canada. The car suffered there a great success; initially planned to sell about 5,000 cars a year in Canada – actual result of the sale of approximately 50 000 per year sold there Pony’ego models, whereby Hyundai brand has become one of the best selling automotive brands in there that country. Also solicited for the introduction of the Hyundai Pony’ego II for sale in the United States, but failed to meet local emissions standards.

Hyundai Pony II was withdrawn in Europe and Asia in 1985. Yet in Canada was even sold for two years, until 1987. His successor was the Hyundai Pony III in Asia and Europe, as well as Hyundai Excel in America.

In 1985 he was introduced to the production of the third generation of the Hyundai Pony. Introduced a more streamlined, less "angular" bodywork, changed the interior and added other lamps, lamps kawdratowe and smaller plastic radiator grille. Smoothed the shape of the bumper. According to the new numbering of the third generation was called the Hyundai Pony X1; and in some European countries, this car was called the Hyundai Excel.

Hyundai Pony III was available in three body styles: a three-and five-door hatchback and as a four-door sedan. Abandoned with the creation of a pick-up version, there is still the sale was available version of pick-up the previous generation car, the Hyundai Pony II. Interestingly, South Korea was available as deluxe version Pony’ego III (X1), called Hyundai Presto and the United States to sell hit sports version Pony’ego – Hyundai Scoupe.

In 1987 Hyundai introduced Pony’ego III for the United States from that performed on the name Mitsubishi Precis. Auto it cost about $ 4,995 U.S.; in its first year of sales in the United States sold 168 of its 882 units.

Pony’ego also started export to Australia, where it cost about $ 9,990 Australian.

In 1989, Hyundai Pony III (X1) passed the so-called. facelift, and a new version was called the Hyundai Pony IV (according to a different numbering X2). The changes included changes in the overall cosmetic body shape (rounded it, the car has also become larger). Modernized has the shape of the front and rear lamps, and look inside the car.

The fourth-generation Hyundai Pony was available in three body styles; the door (on the right) or five-door hatchback and as a four-door sedan. The choice was three transmissions – two speed manual gearbox 4 – or 5-speed or 4-speed automatic transmission – and two engines; Petrol engines with capacities of 1.3 or 1.5 liter Mitsubishi.

In 1991, after two years of production of the Hyundai Pony IV was launched countries of Eastern Europe (including the former Soviet Union Member States), including the Polish.

Hyundai Pony IV withdrawn from production in 1994, after four years. His successor was the Hyundai Accent. It should be noted, however, that in some countries, including South Korea, the Netherlands, Hyundai Accent generation from 1995-1999 he performed under the name Hyundai Pony V.