The Hyundai Inster has been given the tick of approval to be sold in Australia, with three variants of the electric city car expected to go on sale locally next year.
Unveiled in July and due in showrooms in early 2025, the Inster is Hyundai’s electric version of its petrol-powered Casper city car, which has never been sold in Australia.
Government approval documents show Hyundai has got the nod to launch the Inster in both Standard and Long Range guise, as well as the more rugged ‘Cross’ variant which has yet to be revealed.
Compared to the regular Inster, the Inster Cross is expected to be more rugged with chunkier bumpers and a slight suspension lift, in addition to different wheels and trim. Hyundai Australia has previously said it’ll arrive later than the standard model.
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In the Inster Standard Range, its front-mounted electric motor produces 71kW of power and 147Nm of torque, mated to a 42kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery which can deliver “more than 300km” of claimed driving range and runs on a 266V platform..
Stepping up to the Long Range results in a power increase – now up to 85kW – and a larger 49kWh battery pack, capable of achieving 355km of driving range, provided the Inster is fitted with 15-inch wheels.
Hyundai hasn’t yet detailed whether the Inster Cross will be based on the Standard Range, Long Range, or both.
Regardless of trim, the Inster can be AC charged at up to 11kW or DC fast-charged at 120kW, charger and conditions permitting.
The pint-sized electric vehicle is equipped with both external and internal vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.
Measuring 3825mm long, 1610mm wide and 1575mm high while riding on a 2580mm wheelbase, the Inster is 215mm shorter between the bumpers, 160mm narrower and sits 17mm lower than a Hyundai Venue – despite its wheelbase being 60mm longer.
While Australia’s equipment list is yet to be announced, overseas the Inster is fitted with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, 64-colour ambient LED lighting, a sunroof, and digital key (NFC) accessibility.
Though 15-inch wheels are standard, Hyundai has also shown the Inster with 17-inch alloys, in addition to LED projector headlights.
Some regions can order a battery heating system and heat pump to maximise range and cut charge times.
Hyundai is targeting prices to start below €25,000 in Europe, equivalent to about A$40,000.
This means that in Germany, it would undercut the cheapest Hyundai Kona which is even more bare than the SUV sold in Australia, suggesting we could see the Inster arrive here around the $35,000 mark.
Such a price would put it in contention to be one of the – if not the – cheapest EVs in Australia.
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