Hyundai has revealed the name of its upcoming global electric city car: Inster.
No, it’s not a nod to a social media platform, and it’s also not a part of the Hyundai Ioniq range of electric vehicles (EVs).
According to the Korean carmaker, the Inster name takes inspiration from “intimate” and “innovative”, while also referencing the petrol-powered Casper it’s heavily based on. In Korea, it will be known as the Casper Electric.
It will be revealed in full on June 27 at the Busan International Mobility Show.
Though it’s not a member of the Ioniq family – with that name reserved exclusively for models on a dedicated EV architecture – the Inster appears to share a few design traits with its bigger electric siblings.
This includes the pixel-graphic headlights and tail lamps, which appear to be teamed with a similar overall design to the petrol Casper model.
Hyundai hasn’t revealed many other details about the Inster, other than flagship variants will feature 335km of driving range on the WLTP test cycle.
Unlike the Casper which is exclusively sold in South Korea, previous reports have indicated the Inster will be available in Europe, where prices could start from less than €20,000 (A$32,575).
Though Hyundai hasn’t yet announced whether the Inster will be sold in Australia, the brand’s local division made a trademark application for the name in December 2023, which was registered in April.
Hyundai Australia has previously said it plans to offer an electrified model in every SUV segment before the end of 2024.
Given the absence of any hybrid or electric versions of the Venue available globally, that could see the Casper arrive here as the company’s budget EV offering.
That would likely see it undercut the Kona Electric and Ioniq 5, which are priced from $54,000 and $65,000 before on-road costs, respectively.
MORE: Everything Hyundai
MORE: Hyundai’s electric Picanto rival going global, Australian plans unclear
MORE: Hyundai’s cute electric city car spied tackling Europeans on their home turf
