Hyundai Unveils Gaming-Inspired Insteroid Concept

Developed by Hyundai’s European design team, the Insteroid is a heavily modified Inster crossover EV, currently on sale in Korea and Europe. Despite the Inster’s city car origins, the Insteroid has re-spawned as a track focused, high-performance car in a similar vein to the Renault 5 Turbo 3E.

The exterior has been widened and fitted with more aggressive aerodynamics, including a rear wing that wouldn’t look out of place at Pikes Peak, enormous wheel arch air vents, and a rear diffuser. Other additions include outlandish alloy wheels - a different design on each axle - a bespoke lighting signature, and a minimal white-and-orange colour scheme. Is anyone else getting Metro 6R4 vibes? Or is it just us?

Hyundai has remained tight-lipped on the powertrain lurking within the Insteroid, but the smart money would bet on the 641bhp Ioniq 5 N being the donor. The chassis is likely provided by last year’s RN24 concept.

Inside, the cabin has been stripped out and fitted with a roll cage, racing bucket seats, and a bespoke digital instrument cluster. A “Drift Mode” is included as part of the concept’s pitch for more playful, driver-centric dynamics. Hyundai hasn’t removed all the electronics however, choosing to install an integrated sound generator and a customisable “Beat House” speaker system in place of the rear seats.

Hyundai has also gone to the lengths of commissioning a Time-Attack themed web-based game in which players evolve a regular Inster into the Insteroid by collecting in-game items. A kart version of the car will also be added to Kartrider Rush+.

Unlike the Hyundai N Vision ‘74 concept, no rumours are circulating the Insteroid is intended to go into production - it remains a strict one-off aimed at a younger audience and hoping to inspire a modified EV scene - particularly in a market such as Japan, where customisation is a huge part of car culture.

The Insteroid concept will be on display at the Seoul Mobility Show from April 3–13, and Hyundai says the car will make further public appearances throughout the year across Asia and Europe - potentially including the Goodwood Festival of Speed.