The Hyundai i10 will be replaced in Europe by two affordable electric models. The Korean automaker is developing a direct replacement that will retain the hatchback body of its predecessor, as well as a crossover based on the same platform. Both vehicles will serve in segment A (urban).
Most likely, the crossover is an electric version of the recently introduced Hyundai Casper, a tiny SUV that, although currently only available in South Korea, has already been spotted during its tests in Europe accompanied by the IONIQ 6. Both the hatchback and the electric Casper will make use of the BA platform from the current i10.
Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, head of marketing for Hyundai in Europe, has indicated that the price target for these models will be 20,000 euros. Therefore, they will be placed in the same bracket as the Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID.1. “Everyone in the industry knows that the target for these types of vehicles is 20,000 euros. “
Until the year 2030, Hyundai will launch 11 electric models in the European market. This type of vehicle accounted for 20% of its sales in the old continent during the first half of the year, a notable improvement compared to the 14.1% achieved in the entire year 2021. This figure should increase with the arrival of new proposals such as the imminent IONIQ 6.
The Hyundai Casper is already being tested in Europe
The supplier BorgWarner will be in charge of supplying the drive unit of the electric access Hyundai. The inverter and power electronics will be integrated into the pack, while the electric motor will be a permanent magnet, allowing Hyundai to offer vehicles with a high level of efficiency.
In the absence of official confirmation, the electric Casper is expected to go into production throughout 2023, reaching our market in early 2024. The direct replacement for the i10, for its part, will wait until the third quarter of that same year, Well, unlike the Casper, whose thermal versions have already been presented, it is still in an early development phase.
It is interesting to remember that the Hyundai Casper falls under the “Gyeongcha” category in South Korea, a segment of micro-cars with certain tax advantages. For this reason, its length is less than 3.6 meters (3,595 millimeters) and its width is less than 1.6 meters (1,595 millimeters). Despite this, it enjoys a highly modular cabin.
Oh dear. Having just purchased a Hyundai i10, I am very unhappy that the opportunity to buy another in three or four years time, will not be available to me. I can just, with a lot of sacrifice of other things, afford 15k or so for what is after all, a great little car that gets me anywhere in the country, without the worry of finding over priced electric rechargers. Also, I will never be able to afford the replacement at 20k plus. Not that I would want one. Whilst stopping so much traffic entering major cities is probably a good thing, (having been to London on numerous occasions, and my nice clean shirt being covered in deisel soot,) but hasn’t anyone taken any notice of the scientific research done on combustion engine research? It’s a known fact in some scientific circles, that if we were to continue with non electric cars until the end of the century, we would have an increase in temperature worldwide of one twenty thousand of a degree!!! It’s not cars we should be worried about, but cows and China and India’s industry. So the likes of myself will never be able to afford a new car again. Thanks Hyundai, And thanks Greta Thunberg and all the green anti car mob. Phil Wyatt