Hyundai is making a bold move into the mainstream electric car market with its new Inster model. The Inster, based on the Hyundai Casper city car, is the company’s smallest and most affordable electric vehicle to date. By stretching the platform and wheelbase of the Casper, Hyundai has improved practicality and created more space for an underfloor battery pack.
In terms of size, the Inster falls between the Dacia Spring and the Citroën ë-C3. Despite its compact footprint, Hyundai insiders assure that the Inster is just as practical as its five-seat rivals, thanks to its efficient packaging and configurable interior. The car’s wheelbase is similar to that of the larger Hyundai i20, and its four seats offer versatility with the ability to fold completely flat. The two rear seats can also slide and recline, providing extra legroom or boot space as needed.
The Inster will be available in two configurations at launch. Entry-level models will feature a 96bhp front-mounted drive unit, reaching 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds with a top speed of 87mph. These models come with a 42kWh battery pack, offering a range of 186 miles. The flagship ‘long-range’ Inster boasts 113bhp, a 49kWh battery pack, a range of 217 miles, and a top speed of 93mph. Both versions utilize the nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) chemistry and come equipped with a heat pump and 85kW (DC) charging capabilities.
While the Inster’s specifications may put it on par with its competitors, Hyundai believes that it will stand out for its interior connectivity and on-board technologies. All versions of the Inster come with a pair of 10.25-inch displays for the instrument panel and infotainment system. Additionally, the car can be unlocked and started using a smartphone as a ‘key’.
In terms of safety and driver assistance features, the Inster comes equipped with Hyundai’s full suite of technologies. This includes a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise control, and a unique blindspot monitoring system that projects a camera image of the rear quarter view onto the instrument panel when indicating.
The Inster is set to be available for delivery in the spring of next year, with prices starting at around £22,000. While specifications for the UK market are yet to be finalized, it is possible that only the longer-range version will be offered.
Hyundai’s product planning manager for Hyundai Motor Europe, Paolo Gnerro, believes that the Inster will attract two types of customers: “very young” individuals buying their first new cars and “empty-nesters” in their 50s who want a second car for running errands. Gnerro also notes that customer behavior with EVs is changing, with people prioritizing range over the size of the car.
Overall, the Hyundai Inster represents an exciting entry into the mainstream electric car market. With its compact size, practicality, advanced technologies, and competitive pricing, it has the potential to attract a wide range of customers looking to make the switch to electric vehicles.
