Hyundai has reimagined its Inster EV as a ‘Dream Car’concept aiming to challenge conventions and create excitement. Could it make it onto your dream fleet? By John Challen.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The fact that Hyundai chose to break the news of this car on 1 April – and also that it is called something as odd as ‘Insteroid’ – probably made people think it had April Fools written all over it. However, that’s not the case and this ‘gaming-inspired’ race car concept made its bow just a few days later at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea.

The approach to Insteroid is all about “merging gaming influences with extensive customisation to captivate a new generation of drivers”, according to the company, in a car that is based on the Inster EV SUV. The cunning mix of ‘Inster’ and ‘Steroid’ (see what it did there?) was chosen to reflect the car’s “spirited nature and muscular look”, apparently. Going one step further, the Koreans claim Insteroid adopts “funky and sporty aesthetics, featuring a lively character and delivering immersive experiences”. To be fair, it does certainly look the part and is yet another example of an EV that breaks down barriers and leaves people without any doubt that battery-powered cars can look every bit as special as their ICE relatives.

With the dual goal of creating more interest in the production-version Inster and also encouraging enthusiasts to create their own dream car, Insteroid boasts an extended, widened body, track-optimised wheels and a prominent wing spoiler diffuser. Also, wheel arch air vents deliver advanced aerodynamics.

Inside, you’ll find a stripped-out version of the Inster, with bucket seats, a roll cage and an instrument cluster that helps create “an immersive driving experience”. There is full adjustment and customisation on every component, reflecting the gaming mantra of: ‘Build it, play it, break it, repeat.’

Want more from your steroid-heavy Inster? How about a Drift Mode, an integrated Beat House sound system, eco-conscious materials and Message Grid, which allows personalised interactions and a greater level of driver engagement. With performance in mind, there’s lightweight lattice structures to keep the weight down on the vehicle, which is unmistakably highlighted by strong orange lights onboard. That orange also even features on the reflective race suit, the lettering of which, according to the manufacturer, “captures the fusion of car culture and youthful expression”.

Cool.

Hyundai Insteroid

Price: £N/A

Structure: Lightweight lattice

Use of orange: Plenty

Similarity to the production version: Minimal

Interior materials: 3D knit fabric from recycled yarns

Likelihood of making it onto the fleet: 0/10