- Wild Concept draws crowds at Seoul Mobility Show
- Aggressive bodywork and hydraulic handbrake signal sports information
- Could this be a more affordable alternative to Renault 5 Turbo 3e?
Hyundai has revealed its latest, attentive concept car, and it’s so crazy we had to check in with a PR representative to make sure it wasn’t a kind of April Fool’s gag.
When taking lots of inspiration from retro video games, the insteroid, as the name suggests, is a diminished inster on, ERM, steroids. But rather than increasing it up with a raised riding height and a roof rack as the cross variant did, the insteroid takes things in a completely more sporty and tension-seeking direction.
For example, the bodywork shares elements with the equally wild, hydrogen-powered N-Vision 74, with an extra wide attitude, “track-optimized” wheels and an impressive back wing that you could happily eat a bucket of Korean fried chicken from when parked at the local car meeting.
HYUNDAI INTEROID EV -Koncept car pumping out of beats pic.twitter.com/irdejhzkosApril 1, 2025
Inside it is an interesting blend of racy bucket seats, a roller cage and a track -inspired steering wheel and adjustable column. Hyundai says that any element of the stripped cockpit is fully adjustable and images show that the retro-futuristic instrument cluster that looks like it was designed by teenage engineering can be adapted and adjusted to the individual.
According to Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center, it also offers a “immersive sound experience” that not only comes to life when they are run but can also get the party going when it is stationary.
This is helped by an integrated “beat house” sound system and nicely pixelated message network on the lower bumper, which acts as a digital ticker tape for broadcasts of messages to the outside world. Alternatively, it may show an interactive graphic equalization when pumping out tunes.
Compact hot hatches are back in the limelight
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Although insteroid is largely a concept car for now, it gives a good indication of what a small, fun and affordable warm hatch could look – something that fills the void left by Volkswagen! GTI and the notorious Renault Twingo RS, for example.
When we talk about Renault, the French mark has also investigated what is possible with electric engines and battery packs, pushing its latest Renault 5 to extreme with its newly revealed Turbo 3e model. Although most people predict, it will cost the same as most modern supercars.
The insteroid has a similar hydraulic handbrake and game-inspired interior, as Renault debuted on his driving R5 Turbo concept of 2022, but shrinks into an even smaller package, and if it were to make it production, could contain more affordable, diluted performance technology tied from the excellent Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Whether it ever makes it into showrooms or not, insteroid is the kind of concept car that electric vehicles desperately need right now.
Wild design, innovative features and a promise of scintillating electrical performance are things that have the potential to get people talking and the next generation really excited about the engine’s future.
Plus, it is tapping on a youth that currently celebrates Max Power Era with disgusting sound systems, Quick and furious-Style underliping and wider car setting culture. The 90s are so in right now, just hit Instagram for proof.
If Hyundai abolishes the expensive in-wheel engines of Renault’s Turbo 3e and borrow some of the more affordable elements of Ioniq 5 N, we could well have our first wallet-friendly electric hot hatch in a high-performance instateur variant.
It can then be up to the owner, whether they will fit a festival -specific sound system in the trunk.
