LOOK HOW CUTE IT IS!!!!!!
Hyundai
After spending the weekend at Disneyland for my birthday, I lastly began watching The Mandalorian this week — sure, I do know I am tremendous late. (And it is rattling good too, did y’all understand how good this present is???) Clearly the star of the present is Baby Yoda, who I really like and would shield with my life identical to IG-11. So it appeared like divine intervention of the Power when Hyundai unveiled the diminutive Casper SUV final night time, because it’s mainly the Child Yoda of SUVs. I imply, simply take a look at it. This factor is freakin’ cute.
The front-wheel-drive Casper was primarily designed for India and South Korea, although it would probably be bought in different markets together with Europe. It rides on the identical platform because the i10 hatchback, and at simply 141.5 inches lengthy the Casper is sort of 18 inches shorter than the Hyundai Venue and simply 2 inches longer than a Fiat 500. Engine choices are two 1.0-liter three-cylinders, a naturally aspirated unit with 73 horsepower and a turbo model with 97 hp; each engines are paired with a four-speed computerized transmission.
It is so cute.
Hyundai
None of that basically issues although. What issues is how cute the Casper’s teeny little face is. Like different Hyundai crossovers it has slim LED lights up high for the flip indicators, right here linked by a gloss-black panel that additionally options the corporate brand, whereas the headlights are the massive spherical models decrease down within the entrance finish. These headlights characteristic a working gentle ring with a most important gentle unit sunken within the circle. The lights are surrounded by a silver panel that has triangular perforations to type the grille, and the decrease a part of the bumper has a silver fake skid plate component with small intakes. There’s additionally the Energetic mannequin, the inexperienced one pictured right here, which comes normal with the turbo engine. It will get a gloss-black panel with a extra conventional mesh grille that incorporates a pair of round intakes for the intercooler, and the “skid plate” is blockier with larger intakes.
I really like how boxy the Casper’s fender flares are, with the rear fender having a cool forward-leaning kick to it. The blocky hood flows right into a chamfered edge working alongside the bottom of the home windows, and the upright B-pillar is a pleasant distinction to the blacked-out A-pillar and kinked C-pillar, which additionally incorporates a hidden door deal with. Whereas there’s just one view of the rear finish, we are able to see a set of spherical lights within the rear bumper echoing the entrance finish and a light-weight bar on the base of the rear window that additionally has a triangular sample. Hyundai additionally hasn’t launched any inside pictures, however an infotainment display screen is seen atop the sprint.
Critically, simply take a look at it.
Hyundai
The Casper will go on sale in South Korea later this yr, and Hyundai is taking reservations in an attention-grabbing manner. Beginning on Sept. 1 and working till Sept. 12, potential prospects can signal as much as make an “early chook reservation” for the Casper utilizing a QR code on Hyundai’s web site, after which they will fill out a survey and begin receiving notifications and data concerning the automotive. After that interval ends and precise gross sales contracts open up, individuals who signed up for the early chook program get precedence over common prospects. The early birds additionally get bonuses for becoming a member of this system by way of a particular lottery, with 5,000 folks getting a Starbucks reward card, 5,000 folks getting an 8-hour cross for a ride-hailing check experience utilizing the Casper and 100 folks getting precedence supply of their automotive.
Hyundai hasn’t but mentioned how a lot the Casper will price, nevertheless it’s positive to be extraordinarily low cost. Extra particulars concerning the automotive can be launched nearer to the launch within the subsequent few months. And whereas there’s just about no probability of the Casper making its strategy to the US, a completely electrical model is prone to debut in a yr or so, which ought to additional broaden its attraction in Europe and Asia. I assume you will simply should catch 53-year-old me driving one among these round LA with my Child Yoda plushie within the passenger seat as soon as it is importable beneath the US’ 25-year legislation.
Oh, and the title? Yeah, it has nothing to do with the pleasant ghost. Hyundai says the Casper is called after the kickflip-style skateboarding trick by which you flip the board the wrong way up after which shortly flip it again round utilizing your foot as a fulcrum. I guess Child Yoda may do one. In line with my Google translation of Hyundai’s Korean web site, the title “incorporates the event path to vary the sport and stereotypes of the present car market by way of a brand new automotive class and commercialization of an entry SUV.” Extra importantly, the title simply provides to the Casper’s cuteness issue.
