The upcoming HYundai micro SUV, codenamed AX1, will be called the Hyundai Casper. The small SUV is scheduled to enter mass production in Korea in September 2021. It will first go on sale in Korea in the end of 2021, while India launch expected in early next year. Hyundai has trademarked the Casper nameplate in Korea.
The Hyundai Casper could come with a different name in India as well as in other markets. It will be the brand’s smallest SUV, and will sit below the Venue sub-4 meter SUV. The Casper will be based on Hyundai’s K1 compact car platform, which currently underpins the Grand i10 Nios and the Santro.
Korean media reports that the new Hyundai Casper will measure 3,595mm in length, 1,595mm in width and 1,575mm in height, which makes it smaller than the Santro hatchback. In fact, the Casper will be smaller than the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV100 NXT and the soon-to-be-launched Tata HBX concept based micro SUV. For reference, the HBX concept is 3,840mm long, 1,822mm wide and 1,635mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,450mm.
The new Hyundai AX1 mini SUV will be produced at GGM’s production line. This plant is an outcome of a joint venture between the Gwangju local government and Hyundai Motor Company. Trial production of the car has already been commenced, while the mass production will commence from September 2021. Hyundai will initially introduce the petrol version of the micro SUV, which will be followed by an electric city car in 2023. The electric version is also expected to arrive in our market. The small SUV will get BorgWarner integrated drive module (iDM), which comprises of an electric motor, a gearbox and power electronic in a modular unit.
The spy images reveal that the styling of the Hyundai Casper will be inspired by the Venue sub-4 meter SUV. It will have upright front fascia with a flat bumper, flatter hood and meshed pattern grille. The small SUV will get round-shaped headlamps with O-ring LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps). There are thin LED strips placed under the clamshell bonnet structure. These LED strips also work as turn indicators. Design highlights will include squared wheel arches with black plastic cladding, rectangular wing mirrors, C-pillar integrated door handle, etc.
The Hyundai Casper is likely to get the same 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the Grand i10 Nios. This engine produces 83bhp and 114Nm of torque. The lower variants could receive the Santro’s 1.1-litre petrol engine. Both manual and AMT are likely to be on offer.
