The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is such a brilliant performance EV that it spawned the TA Spec hillclimb racer and the RN24 nutso-level high-performance concept. However, the Korean marque isn’t just done with making crazy-looking cars and has turned its attention to another model. Meet the Hyundai Insteroid, which, as its name implies, is an Inster drunk on steroids.
Hyundai
Hyundai Motor Company was founded in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, 20 years after the birth of the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company. The automotive marque’s first model was the Cortina, birthed with the help of Ford in 1968, while its first self-developed car arrived the year after as the Pony. Since then, the company has found success with affordable cars and has consistently become known for reliability and value. Nowadays, its ventures vary from combustion, hybrid, all-electric, and hydrogen mobility solutions to robotics.
- Founded
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29 December 1967
- Founder
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Chung Ju-yung
- Headquarters
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Seoul, South Korea
- Owned By
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Hyundai Motor Group
- Current CEO
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Jae-Hoon Chang
Based on the Inster electric crossover, the electric version of the adorably cute Casper, the Insteroid will be showcased by Hyundai at major auto events in Korea and Europe. It’s meant to serve as a halo model to boost the city EV’s popularity, which, according to the automaker, has been gaining popularity since its debut last year. In fact, the Inster is one of the finalists in this year’s World Car Awards.
Exaggerated Elements Are Not Just For Show
Made as a follow-up to the Inster Cross off-roader concept from last year, the Insteroid deviates from the tiny adventure rig. It’s low and dropped to the ground, looking like a fun, hot hatch with sporty bits like track-optimized 21-inch wheels, an exaggerated wing spoiler, diffuser, and air vents. It also has an extended body on all sides, making it look like a drift car, which it can do with the introduction of Drift Mode.
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Inside, the Insteroid has a stripped-down cockpit that looks fun but seriously equipped for competition with bucket seats, a roll cage, and a specialized instrument cluster. Eco-conscious materials are used in the cabin, specifically 3D knit fabric crafted from recycled yarns. The rear seats have been replaced by playful details like a Beat House sound system and a Message Grid that “enable personalized interactions, further enhancing driver engagement.”
Not A Production Model Yet, But There’s A Game You Can Play
Unfortunately, Hyundai didn’t reveal the power boost given to the Insteroid, though lightweight lattice structures have been integrated to optimize performance and reduce overall weight. It’s unclear if the Insteroid will ever reach production, but if Hyundai will follow the steps of Renault with the 5 Turbo 3E, which started as a concept in 2022 before becoming a full-blown production vehicle earlier this year, anything’s possible.
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For now, those interested in the Hyundai Insteroid can catch it in a Hyundai-developed time-attack online game, where players collect “steroid” items to evolve an Inster into an Insteroid. The game will be available this month and doesn’t need an app download. A kart version of the Insteroid will also be available on Kartrider Rush+.
The Hyundai Insteroid concept will be available for public viewing at the Seoul Mobility Show, happening on April 3-13, 2025.
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