INSTEROID pushes the boundaries of automotive design
4 minute read
Mega-news for the subcompact EV segment! Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled INSTEROID, a boundary-pushing design concept that blends video game influences with funky and sporty aesthetics, featuring a gaming cockpit and seats. As a pure mobility study, the INSTEROID is not for production but rather a fascinating statement of all that is possible and what’s to come. Hyundai Motors reimagines hot-selling INSTER EV as a ‘dream come true’ design show car aiming to challenge conventions and ignite creativity. Find out what all the buzz is about!
Built on success
As the name suggests – the INSTEROID concept car draws its inspiration from the highly successful INSTER EV lineup, which was launched last year and already earned a spot among the top three finalists for the 2025 World Car of the Year award. The INSTEROID is designed to be an INSTER on steroids, combining its funky, playful spirit with extra muscle and power to take the electric subcompact urban SUV segment by storm!
Bold by design
The INSTEROID is a daring and visionary design concept that redefines what a compact car can be. While not intended for production, INSTEROID showcases Hyundai Motor’s bold approach to design, blending gaming influences, trends, and customization options to connect with a new generation of drivers. Crafted behind closed doors by Hyundai Motor’s European design team, INSTEROID is a true concept car in every sense. As a radical ‘What if?’ project, INSTEROID pushes the boundaries of creativity by incorporating various inspirational themes, from gaming to sustainability.
INSTEROID is a beacon of innovation that challenges us to rethink the boundaries of automotive design. By merging the realms of gaming and sporty styling, we are not just imagining the future of mobility; we are shaping it, inviting a new generation of drivers to dream bigger and drive further. Simon Loasby, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center
Gamified design concept boasts sporty styling and eco-conscious materials
INSTEROID takes the INSTER production model to the next level with sporty, video game-inspired features that include an extended, widened body and track-optimized wheels as well as a prominent wing spoiler, diffuser and wheel arch air flaps for advanced aerodynamics.
Inside, the cockpit offers a stripped-down, gaming-focused layout with bucket seats, a roll cage and a specialized steering wheel creating an immersive driving experience.
Every control element — from buttons to instrument cluster — is fully adjustable, reflecting the spirit of a garage-built track machine. Adding to its multisensory experience, INSTEROID produces a unique sound signature, leaving an unforgettable impression.
The voice of power
Building upon INSTER’s user-friendly design, INSTEROID aims to transform the driving experience with its Drift Mode, promising competitive thrills paired with light-hearted joy. Playful details, such as the integrated Beat House sound system and Message Grid, enable personalized interactions, further enhancing driver engagement. Scattered throughout the design, the Boost icon represents multiple unique personas, reinforcing the deep emotional connection between car and driver.
INSTEROID meets recycling
INSTEROID embodies Hyundai Motor’s commitment to sustainability by pioneering innovative approaches to eco-conscious materials. The interior showcases 3D knit fabric crafted from recycled yarns, using a single-piece, made-to-measure process.
To optimize performance and reduce overall weight, lightweight lattice structures are seamlessly integrated. The striking exterior, finished in crisp white, is punctuated by a single bold orange highlight — an unmistakable visual statement. Completing the vision, a reflective race suit with prominent INSTEROID lettering captures the fusion of motorsport culture and youthful expression.
The world of INSTEROID, immersed in games
Hyundai’s concept car INSTEROID goes beyond futuristic design to become a digital icon that radiates unique charm within the gaming world. While it never drives on real roads, in the virtual realm it roams freely across diverse game universes—powered by boundless imagination and Hyundai’s advanced mobility technologies.
Its debut came with Hyundai’s self-developed “INSTEROID” retro arcade game. Players control INSTER, dodging obstacles while collecting electric cans to upgrade into INSTEROID, delivering an intuitive yet highly immersive gameplay experience. This marked the first attempt to translate INSTEROID’s personality and story into a fully gamified experience.
Next, in KartRider Rush+, INSTEROID emerged as a formidable force in item races, amplifying the thrill of heated competition and delivering the excitement of dramatic comebacks.
On Roblox’s “Hyundai Future Adventure”, a brand-new map titled “INSTEROID: Glitch Toytopia” was launched. Set in an imaginative toy world filled with vibrant toy objects and dazzling glitch effects, INSTEROID took center stage—not merely as a vehicle but as the hero of the adventure—elevating its appeal to an entirely new level.
From the second half of this year into next year, INSTEROID is set to make appearances across various open-world racing games. By bringing to life designs and performance that cannot be realized in reality, it will offer players fresh and boundary-pushing driving experiences. Embodying Hyundai’s creative vision and design language, INSTEROID will continue to thrive in the virtual space as a mobility icon that bridges the brand and gamers worldwide.
Dedicated to what’s around the curve
For Hyundai, shaking things up is always part of the design process. New perspectives, combined with innovation and a commitment to clean mobility, all come together to create a truly unique experience. In January, we expanded consumer choices by launching 'INSTER Cross', targeting customers who enjoy outdoor activities. INSTER is seeing high demand in the global region. Hyundai will launch INSTER in select markets in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Central and South America later this year, delivering a refreshed brand image and a sense of newness to the automotive industry.
Follow @hyundai on Instagram and YouTube @HyundaiWorldwide for more INSTEROID updates.
For more information on INSTER: Hyundai INSTER: New A-Segment Sub-Compact EV Delivers Unique Design with Segment-Leading Range and Versatility