We don’t get the Hyundai Inster in America. The Inster is a tiny electric hatchback. Hyundai sells it in Europe and Korea. And it is one of three finalists for the 2025 World Car of the Year award. The Inster may be the last vehicle one would expect to get an aggro, fully blown-out sporty concept with a giant rear wing. But Hyundai is about to oblige us with one anyway.
The brand teased a new concept called the “Insteroid,” which will receive a full reveal in early April.
Key Takeaways:
- Hyundai teased a new “Insteroid” concept
- The tiny Inster hatchback will get racing video game-inspired styling
- Hyundai will reveal the full concept in early April
- Don’t expect a racey Inster hatch to hit production
- The Inster probably won’t come to the American market
The Hyundai Insteroid Concept Will Be An Inster On Steroids
Insteroid, as you no doubt guessed, is a portmanteau. This concept will be an Inster on steroids (or perhaps the name is a nod to the classic arcade game Asteroids) and “a glitch in the automotive matrix.” It will feature racing game-inspired styling with a “prominent” rear spoiler and diffuser, 21-inch wheels, wheel arch air vents, and pixel LEDs like Hyundai Ioniq vehicles. We should find out more when Hyundai reveals the concept.
Hyundai has not yet given a firm unveiling date. But Hyundai’s teaser says to expect it in early April. That timeline would align with the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show, which starts on April 4.
Hyundai Probably Won’t Bring The Inster To America
The Inster has been a hit. But don’t expect its popularity to cause Hyundai to rethink it for the American market. The Inster delivers what would equate to around 200 miles of range with a starting price of around $26,000. But it’s shorter and narrower than a Mini Cooper and packs just 113 horsepower in top spec. That would be a tough sell for American needs.
Hyundai already sells the Kona EV in America, offering more size, range and performance and starting at just over $30,000.
TopSpeed’s Take
Hyundai is a relative newcomer to performance. That provides an advantage with EVs. Porsche and BMW have to recreate their storied lineage as electric cars. However, as we’ve seen with vehicles like the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai can just try to make the EV transition fun. The Insteroid, if nothing else, should provide some levity.
The Insteroid probably won’t lead directly to new production plans (though past wild Hyundai concepts have). Hyundai has dismissed a full-fat Inster N model as unfeasible. An N-Line styling package may be as sporty as the real-life car will get. But the Insteroid should be wild, attention-grabbing, and great marketing for Hyundai. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a drivable version in a video game.
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