Mini Ioniq 5 N? Hyundai hints at go-fast Inster as a mini electric car on steroids to rival the Toyota GR Yaris or Suzuki Swift Sport

Hyundai has teased images and video of its Insteroid - a wild concept based on the brand’s Inster electric hatch.

Looking like something that’s just arrived back from an apocalyptic future the Insteroid is a pumped up beast. And if you hadn’t worked it out, Hyundai says the name Insteroid comes from the combination of 'Inster' and 'Steroid' to emphasise the meatiness of this concept hatch.

Due to be revealed to the world globally in April 2025, the Insteroid features massive wheel arch air vents, 21-inch wheels and signature pixel LEDs.

Then there’s the monstrous rear wing the likes of which we’ve only seen on Hyundai's Pikes Peak racers such as the Ioniq 5 N or World Time Attack cars. Could the Insteroid be Hyundai’s hint of its next Pikes Peak entry for the event in June?

What’s more possible is the Insteroid continuing Hyundai's recent tradition of creating one-off wild cars to demonstrate the company’s fun take on vehicles.

“Insteroid is designed to boost the emotional experience of electric cars,” the brand said.

“Equipped with fun details, it offers plenty to discover; every element – from the control buttons to the instrument cluster, the rear spoiler to the brakes – reflects Insteroid character.”

At the same time, Hyundai also uses such concepts to gauge public reactions towards cars or ideas it may be thinking of actually sending down the production line.

Back in 2022 Hyundai unveiled its N Vision 74 concept which was based on its 1974 Pony Coupe. The reaction was so overwhelmingly good from the public Hyundai announced in 2024 the model would go into production.

Hyundai’s announcement of the incoming Insteroid concept follows the recent teasing of similar shadowy images of cartoon-ghost motifs on interior controls ahead of the Seoul Mobility Show in April. Whether these images are connected to the Instroid is yet to be seen, although the Inster is called the Casper in its South Korean home market.   

In Australia, Hyundai's Inster will launch in the next few weeks and serve as the Korean brand's rival to small affordable electric SUVs such as the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and MG ZS EV.