Hyundai has dropped the first teasers of its Insteroid concept - a heavily reimagined, track-focused take on the pint-sized Inster EV - and it’s anything but subtle.
Set for full unveiling in early April, the Insteroid is a flamboyant one-off that blends video game aesthetics with motorsport hardware, promising a wild visual and conceptual departure from its roadgoing counterpart.
From urban EV to wild track toy
Built on the underpinnings of the Hyundai Inster (itself a derivative of the Korean-market Casper), the Insteroid sheds all city-car sensibilities. It features extreme bodywork with oversized flared arches reminiscent of the i20 N WRC car, plus aero disc wheels, bright orange accents and a towering rear wing.
One teaser image even reveals a Pac-Man-style ghost emblem, reinforcing the car’s gaming roots.
Inside, the cabin has been completely stripped out and fitted with a full roll cage, suggesting at least track-day intent if not outright motorsport ambitions.
Boost buttons, track mode settings and orange seatbelts further emphasise its performance-inspired theme. There’s no infotainment or plush upholstery here - this is pure fantasy racer.
Concept, not commuter
Details on the Insteroid’s drivetrain remain unconfirmed. The production Inster uses a modest 95kW or 113kW single motor setup, but speculation points towards something far punchier for the concept – possibly borrowing from the Ioniq 5 N’s dual-motor layout, also featured in Hyundai’s RN22e rolling lab project.
Hyundai describes the Insteroid as “a thrilling ‘glitch’ in the automotive matrix,” combining video game-inspired design with real-world engineering.
While it remains a one-off concept, the Insteroid highlights Hyundai’s growing willingness to experiment with EV identity beyond traditional constraints.
Whether or not it hints at future performance EVs in Hyundai’s compact range, the Insteroid clearly isn’t meant to blend in.
