Pint-sized Hyundai Casper electric car spied in Australia
What could become Australia's first sub-$40,000 electric car not made in China has hit Australian roads for testing ahead of showroom arrivals expected later this year.
EXCLUSIVE
The city-sized Hyundai Casper electric car has been caught testing in Australia ahead of showroom arrivals expected by the end of this year.
The Casper is an SUV-styled hatchback sold in South Korea with petrol power, but it is set to expand to Australia and Europe with electric power – and likely a sub-$40,000 price competitive with China's BYD and MG.
After examples were spotted in South Korea, Japan and Europe recently, an eagle-eyed Drive reader has photographed two electric Hyundai Casper prototypes testing in New South Wales.
Hyundai Australia is yet to formally confirm the Casper for showrooms, but Drive understands it is planned to launch close to the end of this year – pending any delays that could push it into 2025.
The heavily-camouflaged electric Casper prototypes spotted in Australia are left-hand drive, and were seen 'benchmarking' alongside a Fiat 500e electric hatch.
The vehicles lack the production-ready details seen on less-camouflaged test cars in Japan, including unique front and rear LED light signatures with the 'parametric pixel' patterns that signify Hyundai electric vehicles.
Overseas reports suggest the electric Casper will have a 25cm longer wheelbase than the petrol version, to increase interior space and accommodate a larger battery pack good for an estimated 320km of driving range.
The petrol Casper measures 3.6 metres long – about 40cm shorter nose to tail than a Volkswagen Polo, and 70cm shorter than an MG 4 or BYD Dolphin.
It is unclear if short- and long-wheelbase electric models will be offered, or if the long-wheelbase body will be the sole choice for the Casper Electric.
Spy photos show the electric Casper is also in line for larger, circa-10-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, compared to the 8.0-inch touchscreen and small driver display in the petrol version.
The Casper is underpinned by an updated version of the Kia Picanto city hatch's platform.
More details on the 2025 Hyundai Casper Electric are due closer to launch. The Casper name has been trademarked locally.
2025 Porsche Macan electric: Stuttgart’s biggest gamble yet
