Next month, the long-awaited new Hyundai Casper compact SUV will make its global debut. The new tiny SUV, codenamed AX1, will go into production in September. South Korea will be the first to sell it before the end of the year, with India following in the first quarter of 2022.
According to a recent media source, the 2019 Hyundai Casper mini SUV will have two engine options: a 1.0-litre normally aspirated petrol and a new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol. The naturally aspirated engine will generate about 76bhp and will be mated to a 4-speed automated transmission.
The Grand i10 Nios Turbo and Aura Turbo will be powered by the same 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. The new turbo engine will produce about 100bhp when paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The 1.1L 4-cylinder engine from the Santro might power the Hyundai Casper in India, producing 69PS and 99Nm of torque. The 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that powers the Grand i10 Nios might potentially be used. This engine has a power output of 82 bhp and a torque output of 114 Nm. A 5-speed manual and an AMT are expected to be available transmission options. The top-of-the-line model may also come with a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with manual and automatic transmission options.
In 2023, an electric version of the mini SUV will be released. The BorgWarner integrated drive module (iDM), which combines an electric motor, a gearbox, and power electronics in a modular unit, will be installed in the compact SUV.
Design & Interior
The new Hyundai Casper will be built on the K1 compact vehicle chassis, which also serves as the foundation for the Santro and Grand i10 Nios. According to Korean media sources, the new micro SUV will be 3,595mm long, 1,595mm wide, and 1,575mm tall, making it smaller than the Santro hatchback. The Casper will be smaller than the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Mahindra KUV100 NXT, and the Tata HBX mini SUV, which will be released shortly.
The new mini SUV is expected to come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as linked car technology, keyless entry, an engine start/stop button, a rear camera, and other features. It will have a unique design with elements such as split headlights with round LED headlamps and integrated circular LED DRLs, a wide hexagonal grille, a thin strip of LED DRLs that also functions as turn indicators, split tail-lamps, and so on. The Hyundai Casper will have a flat roof and a tailgate similar to the Hyundai Venue, as well as a roof-mounted spoiler. It features a boxy shape with a big glasshouse, giving the cabin a light and spacious atmosphere. The C-pillar incorporates the rear door handles.