Hyundai Reveals Insteroid, a Gaming-Inspired Concept Car Made for the Seoul Mobility Show

That's not an asteroid with insects on it ready to conquer Earth – although maybe it would be a good setup for a Sci-Fi action game. However, it's Hyundai Motor's gaming-inspired concept car that aims to reimagine the Inster for the generation that was born with a device in one hand and selfies in the other, just in time for its official presentation at the Seoul Mobility Show from April 3 to April 13.

Of course, Hyundai also threw a 'Night Garage Party' at Peaches D8NE in Seoul to make sure it has an exclusive debut venue for the little rascal. After all, they want to feature Insteroid as the embodiment of their "bold approach, merging gaming influences with extensive customization to captivate a new generation of drivers." Now, truth be told, the Insteroid concept car does look a lot cooler than the base vehicle.

The donor was Hyundai's electric subcompact urban, which launched last year to combat ultra-cheap EVs like the Dacia Spring in Europe and elsewhere. "Crafted in secrecy by Hyundai Motor's European design team," which isn't necessarily true since the company itself teased its arrival a few days ago, the Insteroid concept car is an Inster on steroids, as the name suggests. On many steroids, by the way.

Instead of going for the mild off-road look as with the Inster Cross, this prototype has a massively extended, widened body and wheel track, track-specific wheels, a massive wing spoiler, plus a prominent diffuser and humongous wheel arches with air vents to suggest that advanced aerodynamics are at play.

The interior is stripped to the bare necessities, and it now comes complete with bucket seats, a roll cage, a special instrument cluster, and a bespoke sound signature. The dedicated Drift Mode seconds the looks of a competition drift machine, and Hyundai also integrated a Beat House sound system and the so-called Message Grid to enable personalized interactions.

To make it faster and true to the new go-kart look, the Hyundai Insteroid concept has "seamlessly integrated lightweight lattice structures," plus a soft white shade with a bold orange highlight on the outside. The launch event is happening on April 1, and the Night Garage Party includes games featuring Insteroid – including one developed by Hyundai Motor, a time-attack-style challenge where players collect 'steroid' items in the regular Inster, enabling its evolution into Insteroid.

Additionally, following successful partnerships in the gaming industry with platforms like Roblox and Zepeto, Hyundai has also announced the new Insteroid Kart, which is coming at a later date in the KartRider Rush+ collaboration game.