- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
2021 Hyundai Casper SUV. 1st generation
The Hyundai Casper is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Hyundai (South Korea) since September 2021. The South Koreans named their new model in honor of the skateboard-flipping stunt. So, the sweet kind ghost Casper, the hero of the cartoon of the same name, has nothing to do with it. The manufacturer is pinning great hopes on the new Casper, as it is supposed to change the idea of what a small SUV should be. The newcomer is characterized by an upright silhouette, which is emphasized by the roof rails. Plus, the manufacturer used plastic to ensure the protection of the arches, and the arches themselves house quite large wheels, the diameter of which is ranging from 15 to 17 inches.
So far, the new Hyundai Casper is available only in South Korea. A full-fledged presentation should take place before the end of autumn 2021. Later, the SUV will appear in Europe, and in 2023 an electric version will be presented. Today it is the smallest SUV in the model range of the Korean brand. It is expected to become the most affordable. We are looking forward to its appearance, but for now let’s take a closer look.
Exterior
The new Hyundai Casper is really small. It is 3,595 mm long, 1,595 mm wide and 1,575 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm. The SUV is based on a modified version of the BA platform used by the Kia Picanto hatchback. The Casper looks unusual. For example, its waist line is not straight, as is the case with all cars, and the edge of the rear windows is slightly higher than that of the front ones. The rear door handles are hidden, and there are emoticons above them… So, its ‘face’ is unforgettable, albeit controversial. The Casper’s rear end is also original with a huge, comfortable opening across the entire width of the rear.
Interior
The interior and dashboard design is very simple, with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system catching the eye. The multimedia supports Hyundai Blue Link, Apple CarPlay and is smartphone friendly, while the screen is able to show the image from the rear view camera. The dashboard is based on a 4.2-inch LCD display. The gearshift lever is ‘stuck’ into the center console, so it is easy to move from the driver’s seat to the passenger one (if necessary). There are three interior colors to choose from.
Koreans are proud of the fact that they ‘came up with’ the front seats that fold into flat ‘tables’. However, this feature was offered by some Japanese models for the domestic market. The car is 4-seater, the backseat is divided into two equal parts, the halves tilt at an angle of up to 39 degrees, and the backseat moves 160 mm back and forth. The trunk volume reaches 301 liters with the rear seats shifted as far forward as possible.
Powertrains
The manufacturer plans to equip the 2021/2022 Hyundai Casper with two engine options, including a 3-cylinder conventional injection engine, which develops 76 hp and 95 Nm, while the more powerful Active modification is equipped with a turbocharged GDI direct injection engine with 100 hp and 172 Nm. The ‘resources’ are identified by the radiator grille, which has round holes. Surprisingly, the modern model of the 21st century has a 4-speed automatic transmission… The vehicle is front-wheel drive only. In addition, the manufacturer is involved in the development of an electric version of Casper.
Equipment
The entry-level 2022 Hyundai Casper comes with seven airbags, including the central one (opens between the front passengers), the automatic braking system and lane keeping assist. More expensive versions have an 8-inch media system, climate control, sunroof, engine start button, blind spot monitoring, rear collision avoidance assistance, adaptive cruise control, an air purifier, button start, and even front seat ventilation.
