No April Fool! Hyundai Insteroid is a gaming-inspired concept

Hyundai reimagines the Inster EV

Hyundai chose April 1st to unveil the Insteroid, taking its Inster urban SUV and turning it into a sporty concept. You may be looking at the design, then the calendar afterwards…then back at the design, but Hyundai has assured everyone that this is no April Fool.

So, why Insteroid? Well, take Inster, and combine it with ‘steroid’ - due to the concept’s beefed-up look - and there you have it. Hyundai is pretty impressed with what it has created, calling it a "limitless vision of automotive innovation and imagination” while saying it will engage users “through shape, light and sound.”

The designers of that Insteroid were inspired by gaming - following Hyundai’s partnerships with platforms like Roblox and ZEPETO - adding an extended, widened body with track-ready wheels, a prominent wing spoiler, diffuser and wheel arch air vents for advanced aerodynamics.

Insteroid Interior

Inside, a stripped down and fully adjustable cockpit features bucket seats, a roll cage and a specialised instrument cluster. The rally style set up even offers Drift Mode. An integrated Beat House sound system and Message Grid further enhance driver engagement.

Hyundai has been eco-conscious with its use of materials, showcasing 3D knit fabric crafted from recycled yarns and using a single-piece, made-to-measure process. Lightweight lattice structures have also been used to reduce the overall weight and improve performance.

Public Appearance

Hyundai will showcase the Insteroid concept at the Seoul Mobility Show from April 3 to April 13, with the brand hoping it will give more publicity to its Inster. It is then expected to make appearances at other events across Asia and Europe.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Hyundai