Hyundai unveils gaming-inspired Insteroid concept

One of the planet’s biggest car makers has just unveiled a wild new vehicle inspired by the world of computer games and high-performance motoring, that’s set to shake up the EV market.

When did computer games become so realistic?

Hyundai has just supercharged its smallest electric car into the Insteroid concept, a design that blends gaming influences with a funky and sporty aesthetic.

Debuted at the 2025 Seoul Motor Show, Hyundai Insteroid is a close relative to the successful Hyundai Inster electric sub which has become popular since its release earlier this year.

The Insteroid is a high-performance electric hot hatch that builds on the Inster’s e-GMP platform while incorporating the staggering acceleration and advanced electronics of the Ioniq 5 N.

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Hyundai Insteroid car concept. Picture: Supplied

Similar to the stripped down Hyundai’s RN24 electric car, the Insteroid is powered by the Ioniq 5 N’s 478kW dual motors and features aggressive, track-focused styling inspired by video games like Need for Speed Underground.

This concept follow’s Hyundai’s vision of pushing the boundaries of automotive design while engaging a new generation of drivers with gaming influences and customisation.

And the final result hasn’t disappointed.

The name is a blend of ‘Inster’ and ‘Steroid,’ cleverly combining elements from the successful compact Inster while conveying powerful and high-performance.

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Hyundai RN24 Rolling Lab. Picture: Supplied

The car incorporates motorsport aerodynamics and eye-catching features like the 21-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli slick tyres and front aero covers, electrically-adjustable wheel-arch vents, and a triple-layer, F1-style rear spoiler — featuring a drag reduction system.

The motorsport theme continues inside the cabin, with bucket seats, a roll cage, a racing steering wheel, plus digital dials that broadcast the speed, lap time and power boost.

The number ‘23’ on the rear doors is a reference to how many times the ghostlike cartoon character, nicknamed ‘The Boost’, features around the car.

Hyundai has just supercharged its smallest electric car into the Insteroid concept, a design that blends gaming influences with a funky and sporty aesthetic. Picture: Supplied

The rear-mounted “Beat House” speaker that emits synthesised driving sounds — a feature inherited from the Ioniq 5 N. Picture: Supplied

Inside the car. Picture: Supplied

The Insteroid features a drift mode system, complemented by a rear-mounted “Beat House” speaker that emits synthesised driving sounds — a feature inherited from the Ioniq 5 N.

Hyundai hasn’t released any performance claims, but the new Insteroid should be capable of a 0-100km/h spring of around 3.4 seconds based on the Ioniq 5 N’s performance.

The car was developed in secrecy by Hyundai Motor’s European design team, which is likely why there are no current plans for production.

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The Insteroid borrows from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Photo: Thomas Wielecki

Instead, Hyundai is hoping its Insteroid concept will enthuse younger buyers about Hyundai’s future EVs.