Korean automaker, Hyundai has officially revealed the much-awaited new Hyundai Casper micro SUV, which is scheduled to be launched in the domestic market in the next couple of months. The Casper is named after the freestyle skateboarding trick invested by Bobby ‘Casper’ Boyden in the 1970s. It is the smallest SUV Hyundai has introduced till date, which will also go on sale in several international markets including India.
Dimensions
In terms of proportions, the new Hyundai Casper is 3,595mm long, 1,595mm wide and 1,575mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,400mm. It is based on the K1 compact car platform that also underpins the Hyundai Santro and the Grand i10 Nios. The new Casper is shorter and narrower than the Santro; however, it is taller than the later.
Hyundai Casper Design
The styling of the new Casper is heavily inspired by the Venue compact SUV. In fact, the new model looks like a baby Venue. It gets quirky design with front featuring unique styling elements. The front fascia has single slat grille that accommodates Hyundai logo in the centre. It gets the brand’s new design philosophy, which we have already seen on new breed of Hyundai cars.
The front has split headlamp setup with LED DRLs on top and round-shaped headlamps with LED ring on the lower bumper. The new Hyundai Casper gets aggressive bumper that has mesh pattern for air-intake and round-shaped silver finished element on the either side of the grille. It gets silver finish faux skid plate and wider air-dam. There is a silver finish bar that has licensing plate, and it also divides the upper and lower grille. The micro SUV gets clamshell bonnet with aggressive creases.
The new Hyundai Casper gets blacked-out A-pillar, and body-coloured B and C-pillars. It gets dual-tone roof-rails, while the ORVMs gets integrated blinkers. The body shape is evident from the side profile as well, as it resembles the Venue. It gets squarish wheel arches, black plastic cladding all-around the body and multi-spoke alloy wheels. The rear door handles are integrated in the C-pillar.
The rear profile looks decent; however, it looks more-like a hatchback from the rear-end. It gets black finish for the upper half of the hatch, featuring the parametric jewel type LED lights. The circular tail-lights are integrated on the lower bumper. It comes with roof-integrated spoiler with brake lights. The entry-level models will miss out on roof-rails and blacked-out A-pillars. Adding to it, the base models will get plain halogen headlamps.
Hyundai Casper Interior & Features
Hyundai is yet to reveal the interior pictures and details of the Casper micro SUV. Going by the spy images, it is visible that the micro SUV will get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a dual-tone interior scheme and a multi-functional steering wheel. In terms of features, the micro SUV will get connected car tech, keyless entry, engine start/stop button, adjustable headrest, reverse camera, etc.
Casper Engine Specifications
The Korean-spec Casper will be offered with two engine options – a 1.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and a new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol. The naturally aspirated engine will produce around 76bhp of power, and will be paired to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine will be the same unit that powers the Grand i10 Nios Turbo and the Aura Turbo. Paired to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, the new turbo unit will produce around 100bhp of power.
The India-spec Casper is likely to be powered by a 69PS, 1.1L NA petrol or a 82bhp, 1.2L NA petrol. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual and an AMT. The top-spec model could also get the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with manual and automatic gearbox options.
Hyundai Casper India Launch & Price
The new Hyundai Casper is likely to be launched in the Indian market in the first half of 2022. Estimated to be priced around Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, the new Casper will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and the soon-to-be-launched Tata Punch.
