There are plenty of big, heavy, expensive EVs out there if that’s what you fancy. However, it’s likely that smaller, cheaper EVs are what will really drive greater market penetration. Hyundai’s new subcompact is betting on just that, and we got a sneak peek today.
The new model will be called the Inster in some markets, including Australia. However, in Korea, it will be branded as the Hyundai Casper Electric, as it is an evolution of the company’s petrol-powered Casper SUV. Where Inster is a clumsy name that doesn’t really roll off the tongue, Casper is instantly catchy. Sadly, it’s likely trademark concerns make it complicated for the Korean automaker to use the name globally.
Despite its small size, Hyundai doesn’t expect you to give up practicality. It’s targeting a healthy 220-mile WLTP range for the Inster, which should be plenty for city trips and some beyond.
Hyundai has only given us a limited look at the Inster so far. The full reveal is slated for the Busan International Mobility Show in Korea later this month. Regardless, it’s clear the car hews closely to Hyundai’s established modern design language. The pixelated rear tail lights and front amber lights set the tone, while the round running lights evoke fond memories of the Honda e.
Pricing is yet to be announced, though early speculation has it landing around the €20,000- mark ($21,500 USD) in Europe. That would put it right in the mix with EVs like the Fiat 500e and similar product from Chinese automakers.
Based on the look of the thing, Hyundai could probably get away with calling this thing a hatchback if so desired. However, it’s officially denoted as a subcompact SUV, despite its apparently middling ground clearance. Crossovers have crossed over so far that they’re pretty much just cars again.
As an aside, Hyundai states that the “Casper” name is based on the freestyle skateboard trick developed in the 1970s by Bobby Boyden. However, the trick is named Casper after Boyden’s own nickname—he was likened to the cartoon character because of his pale complexion. Thus, Hyundai effectively did name the vehicle after the friendly ghost.
Comparing the existing Korean-market Casper with the shadowy shots that Hyundai released today, it’s clear the company got the design right from the get go. It has pleasant lines with a touch of retro feel, a design ethos that Rivian in particular has made waves with of late.
If this thing lands with good range and the right price tag, it could be a banger. Hyundai is already selling over 40,000 Caspers a year in Korea. The electric version could be a hit when it debuts worldwide. Perhaps the only sad thing is that we must suspect it’s not coming to America. We’ve contacted Hyundai for comment, but the automaker’s American media channels have thus far made no mention of the gorgeous three-door.
We’ve been saying it for years—the world needs more cheap, do-everything compact EVs. Now, it looks like Hyundai is about to deliver us a humdinger. Bring it on.
Image credits: Hyundai
I don’t think it would sell well in USA, it looks like it could be the Quebec special of electric cars.
I agree as much as I think people in the cities or that work in the cities would benefit from small cars like this. Small cars just not sold well here in the US for a long time and seeing every manufactures lineup in the currently I don’t think that is going to change. Maybe I am wrong and the pendulum will swing the other way from the big cars we currently have but I am not holding my breath.
People in cities do not have access to home charging, and public charging isn’t something to be relied on at this point.
True that. Think I was saying more so of the car being small so easier to park and get around in a city and less of it being electric. But yeah our cities are nowhere near built for EV’s yet or probably ever will be because I doubt the cities or rental property/garage owners are going to truly invest in the infrastructure for them.
In a lot of older cities, it can be risky plugging in a window air conditioner. Old, old wiring. They’re highly unlikely to add EV charging facilities.
The housing doesn’t necessarily come with parking either. My friend in NYC had to street park his car like a 45 minute subway commute from his apartment. He wasn’t using the car daily, so it just sat almost all week or possibly two weeks until he needed it again.
Even if there were curbside chargers, there’s a large chance a jerk like this will be parked in front of it.
It is a Suzuki Ignis
It is a Suzuki Ignis
It looks like Casper, the angry ghost.
It looks like Casper, the angry ghost.
It will come with optional extra chrome letters, so some buyers could customize it to fit their personalities. For example, the garbage man could get a B and make it a Binster, a priest could drive a Minster, a practical joker would have a Grinster, a movie villian would drive a Sinster, the unmarried woman down the block would have a Spinster, and the version sold in Vietnam would be the Vinster.
Someone who can’t stop showing off their legs on the web – the instergam
It will come with optional extra chrome letters, so some buyers could customize it to fit their personalities. For example, the garbage man could get a B and make it a Binster, a priest could drive a Minster, a practical joker would have a Grinster, a movie villian would drive a Sinster, the unmarried woman down the block would have a Spinster, and the version sold in Vietnam would be the Vinster.
Someone who can’t stop showing off their legs on the web – the instergam
At $21,500, this is interesting, but only 220 miles on the highly optimistic WLTP test is a big deficiency in the US market.
If they can qualify it for tax credits, it would make good sense. Otherwise, I don’t think enough would be willing to buy it unless you can get that sort of range with the heat on in the winter or the AC on in the summer.
There are plenty of people who could actually use this sort of thing. But without an EV incentive, small gassers are a far better value at about the same price, even if you consider the added costs of gas and maintenance.
When charging cables hang from every streetlight pole, we’ll see more like these. Until then, you need either EV incentives or a lot more range.
At $21,500, this is interesting, but only 220 miles on the highly optimistic WLTP test is a big deficiency in the US market.
If they can qualify it for tax credits, it would make good sense. Otherwise, I don’t think enough would be willing to buy it unless you can get that sort of range with the heat on in the winter or the AC on in the summer.
There are plenty of people who could actually use this sort of thing. But without an EV incentive, small gassers are a far better value at about the same price, even if you consider the added costs of gas and maintenance.
When charging cables hang from every streetlight pole, we’ll see more like these. Until then, you need either EV incentives or a lot more range.
Google “what is Casper slang for” and you’ll get a pretty good idea of why they’ll never call it that in the United States.
My second guess was right—and I’m ok with that: I already refer to myself as a Cracker when talking about how the sun fries me
No one cares about that
Google “what is Casper slang for” and you’ll get a pretty good idea of why they’ll never call it that in the United States.
My second guess was right—and I’m ok with that: I already refer to myself as a Cracker when talking about how the sun fries me
No one cares about that
Other than the unibrow, I like this.
A scrap of vinyl wrap and an interesting color would take care of that ugly unibrow. I’m thinking either orange or turquoise instead of that ugly black.
Other than the unibrow, I like this.
A scrap of vinyl wrap and an interesting color would take care of that ugly unibrow. I’m thinking either orange or turquoise instead of that ugly black.
If Hyundai sold this here, people would buy it instead of pricier and higher margined vehicles.
They should sell it here, regardless.
If Hyundai sold this here, people would buy it instead of pricier and higher margined vehicles.
They should sell it here, regardless.
I see a lot that could be cut – alloy wheels with 4 lug nuts? What’s wrong with stamped steel with 3 nuts? 2 outside mirrors? Why does the passenger need to see behind them? Roof rails? Someone wants to install a roof rack, they can pay the dealer to put those on after. It probably even has air conditioning and a radio. What is this supposed to be? An EV for the Rockefellers?
Good point though on the roof rails, as they would increase drag (and add cost.)
Could they have gone, stead, the route of old Subarus with the base latches for a rack built into the roof so those who want one can add one without clamping on the door frame? All the while can do their mileage tests sans rack.
I see a lot that could be cut – alloy wheels with 4 lug nuts? What’s wrong with stamped steel with 3 nuts? 2 outside mirrors? Why does the passenger need to see behind them? Roof rails? Someone wants to install a roof rack, they can pay the dealer to put those on after. It probably even has air conditioning and a radio. What is this supposed to be? An EV for the Rockefellers?
Good point though on the roof rails, as they would increase drag (and add cost.)
Could they have gone, stead, the route of old Subarus with the base latches for a rack built into the roof so those who want one can add one without clamping on the door frame? All the while can do their mileage tests sans rack.
Of course it’s not coming to America, anything good and small seldom does anymore.
Casper is a bit of an odd moniker, but I like Hyundai’s explanation. Inster? Sounds like a belly button. Come to think of it, belly button would be good name for this. Still beats the Japanese who would’ve called this car something like Happy Boy Go Go Cherry Rocket Pop.
Of course it’s not coming to America, anything good and small seldom does anymore.
Casper is a bit of an odd moniker, but I like Hyundai’s explanation. Inster? Sounds like a belly button. Come to think of it, belly button would be good name for this. Still beats the Japanese who would’ve called this car something like Happy Boy Go Go Cherry Rocket Pop.
I can get behind the idea of calling wagons and hatches SUVs if that’s what it takes to sell them.
I can get behind the idea of calling wagons and hatches SUVs if that’s what it takes to sell them.
I don’t understand why Casper would be a copyright or trademark problem. There’s a cartoon character with that name, a mattress, a situational judgment test, and a city in Wyoming. Which one is going to be confused with a car?
Just a theory of mine. But perhaps they just wanted something more boring for Western markets.
Good point. Target demo is more likely to associate a name that evokes Instagram than a 1940s cartoon.
Or its regrettable 1990s theatrical remake
oh man i loved that film
Or the even more regrettable 1990s actor Casper van Dien.
Risk adverse legal teams.
I was working on a video game feature involving King Midas and had a text reference to “the Midas touch.” Despite having no relation to cars whatsoever, the legal team made me change it because of the Midas repair shops using their “trust the Midas touch” slogan.
Didn’t Midas kill his daughter by touching her, then die of starvation because of no food?
Always thought that was a dumb slogan.
I don’t understand why Casper would be a copyright or trademark problem. There’s a cartoon character with that name, a mattress, a situational judgment test, and a city in Wyoming. Which one is going to be confused with a car?
Just a theory of mine. But perhaps they just wanted something more boring for Western markets.
Good point. Target demo is more likely to associate a name that evokes Instagram than a 1940s cartoon.
Or its regrettable 1990s theatrical remake
oh man i loved that film
Or the even more regrettable 1990s actor Casper van Dien.
Risk adverse legal teams.
I was working on a video game feature involving King Midas and had a text reference to “the Midas touch.” Despite having no relation to cars whatsoever, the legal team made me change it because of the Midas repair shops using their “trust the Midas touch” slogan.
Didn’t Midas kill his daughter by touching her, then die of starvation because of no food?
Always thought that was a dumb slogan.
Another CUV- boring…at least they named it after a mattress.
Thank you; I’ll be here all week.
I don’t really see it that way, myself! More of a compact EV with good range that looks great for city use. I could be entirely wrong, of course.
It’s def gonna give the Chinese EV manufacturers a run for their money and make peeps in our part of the world take notice. Since the NZ Govt removed the EV rebate scheme at the start of the year, EV sales have cratered, so I predict that this new Hyundai is gonna steal sales from the cheap BYDs and MGs if they’re competitively priced.
Another CUV- boring…at least they named it after a mattress.
Thank you; I’ll be here all week.
I don’t really see it that way, myself! More of a compact EV with good range that looks great for city use. I could be entirely wrong, of course.
It’s def gonna give the Chinese EV manufacturers a run for their money and make peeps in our part of the world take notice. Since the NZ Govt removed the EV rebate scheme at the start of the year, EV sales have cratered, so I predict that this new Hyundai is gonna steal sales from the cheap BYDs and MGs if they’re competitively priced.