Hyundai unveiled its latest compact vehicle this week, and digital critics are losing their minds over its adorable design. The car is called the 2022 Hyundai Casper a micro crossover SUV named after a skateboard trick invented in the 1970s – no joke. One automotive journalist at Roadshow is calling it the “Baby Yoda” of cars. Looking at the Hyundai Casper press photos, we can certainly see the resemblance. Like a panda bear playing in the snow, you can’t help but go “aww” when you see it.
This Funko Pop on wheels is based on the Hyundai i10 hatchback platform. At the front are Casper’s puppy-dog-eyed round LED headlights placed inside the grille with a slim light bar on top. The rear of the car follows a similar design pattern with a light bar extending the hatchback’s length and two circular tail lights placed on the bumper. Its profile makes one think of a super-sized American SUV hit with a shrink-ray – rugged yet endearing. End to end, the Hyundai Casper measures two inches longer than a Fiat 500 – much smaller than the U.S. marketed Hyundai Kona.
The odds of the 2022 Hyundai Casper arriving at a U.S dealership are slim to none. However, for the South Korean market, buyers will have two engine options. The standard engine is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder producing 73-hp and the second engine option is a sportier turbocharged variant making 97-hp. Both engines are fitted with a four-speed transmission. Pricing is expected to be low, and no interior photos have been released as of this publication date.
Hyundai plans to launch the Casper as a 2022 model, so we expect more details soon. Anyone in South Korea can enter an early-bird program to reserve their Hyundai Casper. This early reservation program ends on September 12th. Those who enter this program will prioritize delivery over regular customers and be entitled to exclusive bonuses through a lottery system.
For more news coming out of Hyundai, check out the 2022 Hyundai Elantra.
