Hyundai Casper tiny EV spotted in Europe hides funky styling

Spy photographers have snapped images of the Hyundai Casper electric vehicle on European roads. The compact EV, known for its unconventional style, aims to rival the Fiat 500 and VW e-up!, but won't pose a threat to Hyundai's own i10.

Earlier in 2022, Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Hyundai Motor Europe’s head of marketing, verified the company's intent to launch a budget-friendly electric car in Europe. He indicated that the price would be around €20,000 (approximately $21,400). Hofmann acknowledged the challenges of creating an affordable electric vehicle, citing not only the necessity to maintain profitability but also complications related to the small size of the car.

Fast-tracking to September 2023, this small-scale electric car has at last been spotted in testing on European soil. The vehicle is easily recognizable, even under heavy camouflage, as it is based on the existing Casper model. Originally equipped with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated gasoline engine, the Casper is now preparing for its transition to electric.

Hyundai has been observed testing its emissions-free model against other compact electric hatchbacks, specifically the Fiat 500 and the Volkswagen e-up! Dimensionally, the Casper EV is expected to sit between these two competitors, given that the internal combustion engine (ICE) version measures 3,595 millimeters (141.5 inches) in length.

One of the captured images shows the vehicle's front-end charging port, positioned similarly to that of the larger 2024 Kona Electric. Both models are built on platforms that also support ICE versions, unlike Hyundai's Ioniq series, which are designed as dedicated electric vehicles.

Just like other Hyundai cars available in both ICE and electric versions, the Casper Electric seems to closely resemble its gasoline counterpart. The same unique design features are evident, although the interior shows minor adjustments tailored for the European market. For instance, the driver's display protrudes from the dashboard and the touchscreen may be slightly larger. Photos of the standard Casper model are provided below for comparison.

It's worth noting that this new electric model won't be replacing the i10. Hyundai has committed to a new generation for its A-segment vehicle, having updated the existing model earlier this year. The same holds true for the subcompact i20 and the compact i30; both are slated for future generations.

As per an official statement released in September 2021, Hyundai plans to cease the sale of ICE vehicles in Europe by 2035.

Source: Motor1