The Daewoo Concept Car That Brings Back Fond Memories

Daewoo was one of the top three automakers in South Korea
What were the unique features of the Daewoo Joyster?

Now, the name has been changed to GM Korea, and the name Daewoo can no longer be found, but in the 90s, Daewoo Motor Company was one of the top three automobile manufacturers in Korea, along with Hyundai and Kia. By developing its first new vehicle, Lanos, in 1993, Daewoo Motor Company worked hard to preserve its unique characteristics.

Afterwards, Daewoo Motor Company unveiled five concept cars at the 2nd Seoul Motor Show in 1997, capturing visitors’ attention. In this article, we will examine the Daewoo Joyster, one of the concept cars unveiled at the time.

A light roadster weighing only 1,918 pounds, an egg-inspired streamlined design

The Daewoo Joyster, unveiled in 1997, was a two-seater roadster. The name Joyster combines “joy,” which means happiness, and “ster,” which denotes a person who does something. It was a roadster with a light body, a curb weight of 1,918 pounds, and the cheerful characteristics of an FF (front-engine, front-wheel drive) drive system.

The vehicle was developed by Daewoo Worthing Technical Center (DWTC), which was established in 1994. Kim Tae-wan, former vice president of GM Korea and general manager of exterior design at the time, participated in the design. Eggs and egg houses inspired the exterior design. It has smooth curves and features Daewoo Motor Company’s three-part grille, so it doesn’t look outdated even today.

A simple interior compared to the exterior equipped with a 1,458cc 4-cylinder SOHC engine

The interior can be said to be monotonous compared to the gorgeous exterior. In the case of interior design, various instrument panels, and switches were placed centered on the driver, taking functionality and convenience into consideration. The instrument panel was designed in a style that matched the exterior, and the door trim and seat patterns were unified to create a sense of unity. 

The vehicle’s size was 159 inches long, 70 inches wide, 50 inches high, and a wheelbase of 99 inches, which is relatively small. Although it was a concept car, it was equipped with an engine and could run. The in-line 4-cylinder 1,458cc naturally aspirated SOHC engine generated a maximum output of 92.4 horsepower. It was paired with a manual 5-speed transmission with an electronic clutch.

Donated to a university after the closure of the Gunsan factory in South Korea

The Daewoo Joyster was displayed at GM Daewoo’s Gunsan factory exhibition hall for a while. The factory closed in 2019, so the Joyster was quietly donated to a nearby university. In addition to the Joyster, various Daewoo vehicles were in the parking lot, and as there was no manager, outsiders who heard the news visited and damaged the vehicles, causing controversy.

Currently, this concept car is stored with other concept cars in a hotel in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A research group that moved the vehicle said that it plans to display it properly if a Daewoo Group history museum is established. However, the possibility is very low.