All-new $35,000 Hyundai Casper EV on the way
Euro launch locked in for pint-sized EV, which could pave way for Hyundai to challenge Chinese brands in AustraliaHyundai is putting the finishing touches on what could become one of Australia’s most affordable EVs if the 2025 Hyundai Casper is approved for sale Down Under.
Created to sell for a price of less than €20,000 ($A33,000), the Hyundai Casper has already been green-lit for Europe, where it will challenge the likes of the budget all-electric Dacia Spring and cheap new EVs from MG, BYD and other brands.
Renault is also preparing to launch a cut-price all-electric Twingo, while the Volkswagen Group – across the Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra brands – is readying affordable EVs priced from €25,000 ($A41,000).
According to industry journal Automotive News, production of a redesigned Casper EV will begin in Korea in July ahead of its European unveiling in the third quarter, with deliveries expected to commence before the end of this year.
Currently, the Casper is only sold in South Korea as a Hyundai i10-based small SUV.
Built at the car-maker’s Gwangju factory, it’s been tipped that for Europe the Casper will undergo radical changes that were judged necessary to tailor it for European tastes.
That includes stretching its wheelbase by a substantial 250mm to provide more interior space, positioning the Casper between the combustion-powered Hyundai i10 city car and the more expensive, larger Hyundai i20 supermini.
Powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery, Hyundai is believed to be targeting a driving range of between 200-300km.
The Korean brand’s most affordable electric car in Australia and Europe is the Hyundai Kona EV, which starts here from $54,000 plus on-road costs – and from €36,400 ($A60,300) in Europe.
If the Casper is built for the right-hand drive UK market, it could open the door for its launch Down Under, where it would target the BYD Dolphin (from $38,890), MG4 (from $38,990) and other affordable EVs.
Obstacles for its introduction here could include a poor showing in Euro NCAP crash tests, where it might not deliver the full five stars for crash protection, although the extensive work already carried out to tailor it for European tastes might include extra built-in protection.
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Related: FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: All-new Hyundai i10 unwrapped
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