The Hyundai Casper (Korean: 현대 캐스퍼) is a crossover city car produced by the South Korean automobile manufacturer Hyundai. It is the smallest crossover SUV ever offered by the brand, and also the smallest automobile of any kind that is currently sold by Hyundai.[4][5]

Hyundai Casper
Hyundai Casper Active
Overview
ManufacturerHyundai
Model codeAX1[1]
Production2021–present
AssemblySouth Korea: Gwangju (GGM)
Body and chassis
ClassCrossover city car (A)
Body style5-door hatchback[2]
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformHyundai-Kia K1[3]
RelatedKia Picanto (JA)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length3,595 mm (141.5 in)
Width1,595 mm (62.8 in)
Height1,575–1,605 mm (62.0–63.2 in)
Curb weight985–1,060 kg (2,172–2,337 lb)

The Casper has been developed in compliance with the "light car" (Korean: 경차, romanizedGyeongcha) category in South Korea which offers tax incentives for vehicles with exterior dimensions below 3,600 mm (141.7 in) in length and 1,600 mm (63.0 in) in width, and is the first Hyundai vehicle to occupy the segment after the Atos.[6] As the result, it is developed as a four-seater vehicle.

A battery electric version of the Casper was introduced in June 2024 as the Hyundai Casper Electric, or the Hyundai Inster in Europe.

Overview

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The Casper was revealed through a set of images on 1 September 2021. Pre-orders started on 15 September 2021, and the vehicle was released on 29 September.[7][8] According to Hyundai, the name "Casper" is taken from the Casper skateboarding technique.[9][10] It's also confirmed that the Casper will be getting advanced driver-assistance systems across three trim lines, Smart, Modern and Inspiration.[11]

The front fascia has turn signal lights situated at the top and circular LED daytime running lights at the bottom. The rear door handle uses a hidden type near the window glass portion, while the parametric pattern of the front grill was applied to the rear lamp to design. Circular turn signal lights was used for the front/rear portions. The rear seat is in the form of two single seats attached.[12]

The Casper uses a pedal-type parking brake. Safety technologies such as forward collision prevention assistance, lane departure prevention assistance, and lane maintenance assistance are available. The Smartstream G1.0 petrol engine is based on the existing 76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) naturally aspirated engine.

The Casper Van was officially released on 3 February 2022.[13][14] It has secured a loading capacity of 940 liters by emptying the space in the second row. Hot stamping, a lightweight construction method, was applied to major areas to minimize body deformation in case of collision. The torsional rigidity and average tensile strength were increased through the high-strength lightweight body.[15] the facelift was revelead on 16 August 2024

Powertrain

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Engines[16]
Model Transmission Power Torque
Smartstream G1.0 MPi 4-speed automatic 76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) @ 6,200 rpm 9.7 kg⋅m (95 N⋅m; 70 lbf⋅ft) @ 3,750 rpm
Kappa 1.0 T-GDi 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) @ 4,500–6,000 rpm 17.5 kg⋅m (172 N⋅m; 127 lbf⋅ft) @ 1,500–4,000 rpm

Casper Electric / Inster

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Hyundai Casper Electric
 
Hyundai Inster (Europe)
Overview
ManufacturerHyundai
Model codeAX1 EV
Also calledHyundai Inster (Europe, Australasia)
Production2024–present
AssemblySouth Korea: Gwangju (GGM)
Body and chassis
ClassCrossover city car (A)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-motor, front-wheel-drive
PlatformHyundai-Kia K1
Powertrain
Battery
Electric range300–355 km (186–221 mi) (WLTP)
Plug-in charging
  • 11 kW (AC)
  • 120 kW (DC)
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,580 mm (101.6 in)
Length3,825 mm (150.6 in)
Width1,610 mm (63.4 in)
Height1,575–1,605 mm (62.0–63.2 in)
Curb weight1,335–1,355 kg (2,943–2,987 lb)

On 27 June 2024 at the Busan International Mobility Show, Hyundai introduced a battery electric derivative of the Casper. It is marketed as the Hyundai Casper Electric in South Korea, and as the Hyundai Inster in Europe. According to Hyundai, Inster is a portmanteau of 'intimate' and 'innovative'.[18]

In Europe, the Inster will be positioned between the A-SUV and B-SUV segments.[19] Starting from early 2025, Hyundai plans to market the electric vehicle as the Casper Electric in Japan[20][21] and as the Inster in Australia,[22] but no plans have been announced for the United States.[23]

Compared to the petrol-powered Casper, Hyundai extended the length and wheelbase of the Casper Electric / Inster by 230 and 180 mm (9.1 and 7.1 in), respectively.[19] The width also has grown by 15 mm (0.59 in).[22]

Powertrain

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The integrated drive module used by the Casper Electric / Inster is sourced from BorgWarner.[20] Maximum outputs are 71 kW (97 PS; 95 hp) and 147 N⋅m (108 lbf⋅ft) for the front-mounted traction motor on the Standard range model, and 84.5 kW (115 PS; 113 hp) and 147 N⋅m (108 lbf⋅ft) for the Long Range model.[22]

The Casper Electric / Inster will be available with Standard, and Long Range powertrain options with 42 kWh and 49 kWh battery respectively. Although early reports stated they would be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO
4
) chemistry,[20] it was announced at launch the batteries will be lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) instead.[22] Under WLTP standards, the electric range is rated at 300 km (186 mi) and 355 km (221 mi) respectively.[24] There is an on-board charger which accepts AC power at up to 11 kW; the vehicle also can connect to a DC source at up to 120 kW, at which rate either battery will recharge from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes.[22]

Specifications[25][26]
Battery Years Power Torque 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
(official)
Top speed Range (claimed)
42 kWh
(Standard Range)
2024–present 71.1 kW (97 PS; 95 hp) 147 N⋅m (108 lb⋅ft) 11.7 s 140 km/h (87 mph) 300 km (186 mi) (WLTP)
49 kWh
(Long Range)
84.5 kW (115 PS; 113 hp) 10.6 s 150 km/h (93 mph) 355 km (221 mi) (WLTP)
315 km (196 mi) (South Korea)

Sales

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Year South Korea[27]
2021 10,806
2022 48,002
2023 41,430

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hyundai Casper to be the brand's smallest SUV". Autocar India. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
  2. ^ Zachariah, Ben (16 March 2023). "2024 Hyundai Casper: Electric high-riding hatchback a chance for Australia". Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Let's Hear It For The Hyundai Casper, The Cutest Micro SUV You Can't Have". Jalopnik. September 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  4. ^ Singh, Aaradhya (September 2021). "Hyundai Casper micro-SUV revealed globally". Evo India. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  5. ^ "Tiny new Hyundai Casper downsizes the SUV". Auto Express. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. ^ "현대차 캐스퍼, 베뉴와 차별화 어떻게 할까?" [How to differentiate Hyundai Casper from Venue?]. autotimes.hankyung.com. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  7. ^ Bizwire, Korea (September 2021). "Hyundai Unveils Mini SUV Casper". Be Korea-savvy. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  8. ^ 현대자동차 (2021-09-01). "현대자동차, '캐스퍼' 외장 이미지 최초 공개" [Hyundai Motor Company unveils 'Casper' exterior image for the first time]. 현대자동차, ‘캐스퍼’ 외장 이미지 최초 공개 - 뉴스와이어 (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  9. ^ "현대자동차, '캐스퍼' 외장 이미지 최초 공개". news.hmgjournal.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  10. ^ Chan, Mike. "Hyundai Casper SUV debuts - 1.0L turbo, NA engines - paultan.org". Paul Tan's Automotive News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  11. ^ "Hyundai Casper - two petrol engines, ADAS across three trim levels for Korean market compact SUV - paultan.org". September 15, 2021.
  12. ^ "Hyundai Motor officially releases 'CASPER' to lead the revival of compact SUV". 《Lokmat News》. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "Hyundai's Stylish Casper Officially Gets A New Van Version In Korea". 《carscoops》. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  14. ^ "Hyundai Casper Van launched in South Korea – LCV version of compact SUV with 940 litres of boot spac". 《paultan.org》. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  15. ^ "Hyundai Casper Becomes World's Most Adorable Van, Probably". 《honest columnist》. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  16. ^ "현대자동차 캐스퍼 Casper - 제원".
  17. ^ "Hyundai Motor names battery sources as EV fire concerns grow-프린트화면". news.koreaherald.com. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  18. ^ Moldrich, Curtis (2024-06-27). "Hyundai Inster EV: new A-segment EV goes small on price, big on innovation | CAR Magazine". Car Magazine. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  19. ^ a b Pappas, Thanos (2024-06-27). "New Hyundai Inster Is A Tiny Electric Crossover For The Masses". Carscoops. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  20. ^ a b c Park, Jin-woo; Park, Su-hyeon (February 27, 2024). "Exclusive: Hyundai set to introduce Casper EV in Japan by 2025". The Chosun Daily. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  21. ^ Kim, Jae-Fu (March 14, 2024). "Hyundai to bring Casper EV to Japan, premium Genesis cars to India". The Korea Economic Daily. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d e Misoyannis, Alex (27 June 2024). "2025 Hyundai Inster detailed: Budget-priced electric car coming to Australia to take on Chinese rivals". Drive (Australia). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  23. ^ Dnistran, Iulian (February 6, 2024). "Sub-$22,000 Hyundai Casper EV Heads To Europe Because Of Course It Does". Inside EVs. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  24. ^ "2025 Hyundai Inster: Electric city car coming to Australia". CarExpert. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  25. ^ https://casper.hyundai.com/vehicles/electric/catalog [bare URL]
  26. ^ "Hyundai Unveils INSTER Small EV SUV". 27 June 2024.
  27. ^ "Sales Results | IR Resources | IR - Hyundai Worldwide".
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