Hyundai has announced its plans to introduce the Inster, a new electric SUV based on the Hyundai Casper, in international markets. The unveiling is scheduled to take place at the Busan International Mobility Show on 27 June.
The Hyundai Inster is a variant of the petrol-powered Hyundai Casper sold in South Korea, positioned in the A-segment SUV category, directly challenging the Dacia Spring. While retaining the same shape as the original model, the Inster features a more technical design, highlighted by pixelated turn indicators reminiscent of the Hyundai Kona Electric’s DRLs, and new DRLs in the round headlamps, giving the front end a rugged appearance.
On the sides, the Hyundai Inster showcases new four-spoke aero wheels and appears to include black wheel arch mouldings. In a teaser image of the South Korean model (Hyundai Casper Electric), a smiley face badge can be seen on the rear doors, behind the side window. The rear of the vehicle features completely redesigned tail lights with an edgy rectangular shape and pixel graphics. Additionally, the Inster comes equipped with raised rails, a regular sunroof, and a shark-fin antenna.
Inside, Hyundai has revealed that the digital instrument cluster in the Inster is more advanced than that of the petrol-powered Casper, possibly featuring customisable layouts. The layout shown in the teaser suggests it features Hyundai’s previous-generation software, seen in the first-generation Kona Electric and other older models, rather than the new-generation ‘ccNC’ software as expected.
Hyundai derived the name Inster from “intimate” and “innovative.” While the company has not disclosed the EV’s specifications, it aims for a driving range of 355 km, according to WLTP standards. In South Korea, the Casper Electric is reported to have a range of up to 315 km, as per the country’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), with a 48.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
The Hyundai Inster is expected to be available for sale in Europe by the end of 2024, with a competitive base price of around 20,000 euros. Production is set to begin in July, with sales planned in more than 50 countries, including right-hand drive markets like Japan, indicating availability in the UK for customers to purchase or lease.
