We’ve snapped another prototype of the new Hyundai Casper EV testing in Europe, this time as it braves the chilly European weather for winter testing. Last year, we had spotted it engaging in a friendly rivalry with a Fiat 500e and a VW e-Up!, further solidifying previous reports of Hyundai’s urban EV making its way to the European market. The Hyundai Casper made its debut in 2021 in Korea as the brand’s smallest crossover offering – or perhaps just a tall hatchback trying to fit in this SUV-thirsty world, measuring in at a modest 3,595 mm.
While it initially flexed its muscles with
a range of 1.0-liter petrol powertrains, Hyundai couldn’t resist the EV allure
and confirmed its plans for a fully electric variant, slated to enter
production later in 2024. Separately, the Korean company had outlined its
strategy for a new European urban EV with a wallet-friendly price tag under €20,000 (US$ 22,000). Combining these pieces of
information with our latest spy shots leads us to believe that a modified
iteration of the Casper EV will be introduced in Europe, with potential
expansion to other global markets such as Australia – although it’s evident
that North America won’t be among them. While we can’t provide precise details
on the design and features of the EU-spec EV in comparison to the Korean-spec
Casper, the emergence of the new prototype indicates that its arrival is
imminent. The bodywork is covered under a thick layer of camouflage, but
certain features such as the split LED lighting units, the greenhouse, and the
overall silhouette unmistakably identify that this is a Hyundai Casper.
Additionally, the presence of a charging
port on the front bumper and the absence of tailpipes point to an electric, zero-emission
powertrain. We also get a glimpse inside the cabin, where it’s apparent that
the infotainment touchscreen is larger in comparison to the ICE-powered model,
and there are noticeable revisions to the digital instrument cluster.
Chances are that Hyundai’s engineers will
upgrade the ride quality, NVH, safety, and overall refinement of their product
in order to meet the needs of the more demanding European customers and comply
with stricter safety regulations. Note that the Casper is based on the K1 architecture
with different variations underpinning the Hyundai i10, Grand i10 Nios, and
Aura plus the Kia Picanto and Ray. Hyundai has confirmed that the Casper EV
will be powered by an integrated drive module (iDM) sourced from BorgWarner,
which is capable of producing up to 181 hp, although this
figure will most likely be scaled down for production.
We don’t have any information about the
battery pack, but expect an urban-focused range figure similar to the
competition. Speaking of rivals, the tiny EV will face off against rivals such
as the Fiat 500e, the next-gen Fiat Panda, and the upcoming VW ID.1, at least
until more automakers enter this market segment.
