Hyundai has unveiled a bold new design concept called the Insteroid, transforming its modest compact EV, the Inster, into a futuristic fusion of race car aesthetics and video game-inspired fantasy. Aimed squarely at a younger, tech-savvy audience, the Insteroid made its debut ahead of the official opening of the Seoul Mobility Show during a special preview event for invited guests.
This unique concept car builds on the existing Hyundai Inster production model but radically reimagines it as a visually striking electric sports vehicle. With aggressive lines, oversized elements, and strong gaming influences, the Insteroid is far more than a showpiece—it’s Hyundai’s vision of how modern technology, car culture, and digital entertainment can come together in a single vehicle.
Bold Exterior with Racing DNA
From the outside, it’s immediately clear that the Insteroid is not your average city car. While it retains the 3.83-meter length of the original Inster, its body has been expanded and dramatically enhanced with functional racing features. Large air intakes above the wheel arches, a powerful rear diffuser, and an eye-catching spoiler give it a performance-focused look. The entire vehicle sits on a tubular space frame, and, naturally, includes a roll cage and sport seats—standard equipment in any serious track-ready machine.
Hyundai’s design team didn’t hold back when it came to the paint job either. The Insteroid wears a predominantly white exterior accented by bright orange highlights and reflective racing decals bearing the concept’s name. Subtlety was clearly never the goal—this car is designed to turn heads.
Gaming-Inspired Interior
Step inside, and the Insteroid continues to blur the line between reality and the digital world. The interior draws heavily from video game design, featuring a dashboard that resembles an in-game HUD and fully customizable controls. This personalization element is a clear nod to racing games where players can fine-tune everything from a car’s handling to its paint color.
By integrating these elements into the cockpit, Hyundai aims to give drivers a unique and highly individual experience that feels more like piloting a virtual vehicle than driving a traditional car. Every switch and dial is tailored to feel both futuristic and playful.
Performance Meets Playfulness
But the Insteroid is not just about looks. It also features a drift mode and specially developed engine sounds that give the EV an aggressive edge. These artificial sounds, engineered to enhance the thrill of acceleration and cornering, are part of Hyundai’s effort to evoke emotion and excitement in the absence of traditional engine noise.
To reinforce the car’s entertainment-first identity, Hyundai has packed the Insteroid with interactive features like the “Beat House” sound system, a customizable message grid display, and a boost icon—all designed to heighten the connection between driver and vehicle. These playful touches ensure the experience isn’t just about driving—it’s about enjoying the ride in a way that feels immersive and fun.
Emotion Through Design and Technology
According to Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai’s Design Center, and Eduardo Ramírez, Chief Designer at Hyundai Design Europe, the Insteroid isn’t just an experimental car—it’s an emotional statement. The goal was to build a vehicle that doesn’t just look futuristic, but feels like something out of a dream—a car that belongs in the gaming world but exists in the real one.
The Insteroid is meant to be a modern take on the idea of a dream car: visually captivating, packed with smart features, and capable of delivering an emotional experience through design, sound, and driving dynamics. Inspired by video games yet grounded in functionality, it’s Hyundai’s most playful concept to date—and a strong hint at what the future of automotive design could look like for the next generation of drivers.
