NewzVille Business Desk
To captivate the Gen-Next drivers, Hyundai Motor pushed the boundaries of automotive design with the unveiling of its visionary design concept car, INSTEROID, today in Seoul, Korea. INSTEROID symbolizes Hyundai Motor’s bold approach, merging gaming influences with extensive customization.
After the successful Hyundai INSTER electric sub-compact urban SUV, which launched last year and quickly became a global hit, INSTEROID takes the concept of sporty design and user experience to new heights. INSTER’s acclaim, including its selection as a top three finalist for the 2025 World Car of the Year award, sets a solid foundation for the new and Gen-Next choice of INSTEROID.
Crafted by Hyundai Motor’s European design team, INSTEROID is a true concept car. Its name cleverly fuses the playful essence of ‘INSTER’ with the dynamic energy of ‘STEROID’, reflecting its spirited nature and muscular look.
Much like the off-road-inspired INSTER CROSS derivate shown at INSTER’s debut in 2024, INSTEROID is another step in the hot-selling production model’s journey. Its mission is clear: to challenge conventions, create emotions and redefine what a sporty EV can be.
“INSTEROID is a celebration of pure fun – a journey where we explored new ways to ignite emotion and imagination in every detail,” said Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center. “It’s not just about how it looks, but also how it sounds and how makes you feel. From its bold visual language to the immersive sound experience, it’s a concept that invites everyone to dream a little louder and smile a little longer.”
More than just a simple car, INSTEROID represents a limitless vision of automotive innovation and imagination. It is engaging users on new levels of interaction through shape, light and sound.
“INSTEROID represents a modern take on the idea of a dream car. It is designed to inspire and create enthusiasm,” said Eduardo Ramírez, Chief Designer at Hyundai Design Europe. “This project allowed us to fully embrace unrestrained creativity, drawing inspiration from video games to create an emotional and engaging vision of Hyundai’s brand.”
INSTEROID takes the INSTER production model to the next level with sporty, gaming-inspired features that include an extended, widened body, track-optimized wheels, and a prominent wing spoiler, diffuser and wheel arch air vents delivering advanced aerodynamics.
Inside, the cockpit offers a stripped-down layout, with bucket seats, a roll cage and a specialized instrument cluster creating an immersive driving experience. Every element is fully adjustable, reflecting the user-centered spirit of a garage-built machine true to the motto: “Build it, play it, break it, repeat.” Adding to its multisensory experience, INSTEROID produces a unique sound signature, leaving an unforgettable impression.
