Akbar Merchant
The upcoming Hyundai mini SUV-known by its internal code name AX1-will be called the Hyundai Casper when it enters production in the coming months. This new SUV will be launched first in South Korea and then in other emerging markets such as India.
- Hyundai AX1 mini SUV will be called Casper
- Will sit below the venue in the Hyundai global SUV lineup
- It will compete with Tata HBX, which will soon be launched in India.
Hyundai Casper (AX1): What’s new?
Hyundai Motor has registered the name Casper in South Korea. According to multiple reports, this will be the marketing name for the AX1 mini SUV, at least in the South Korean market. Although it is unofficially confirmed that the mini SUV will be called Casper in South Korea, it is well known that Hyundai Motor will name its cars differently according to the market. For example, Creta is called ix25 in some markets, and Verna is called Solaris or even Accent in some countries. Similarly, Casper (AX1) may have different marketing names, depending on the region. According to sources, this new SUV will be mass-produced in South Korea, which will also be its first market. It is expected to be released globally in September, and India is expected to be one of the next markets to launch the new Casper SUV.
Hyundai Casper (AX1): Platform details and dimensions
The Casper will be Hyundai’s smallest SUV, which means it will be smaller than the Venue compact SUV under 4 meters. The vehicle will be based on Hyundai’s K1 compact car platform, which also supports Grand i10Nios and Santro in our market.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Hyundai Casper is 3,595 mm long, 1,595 mm wide, and 1,575 mm high. This means that Hyundai’s smallest SUV will be shorter, narrower, but taller than its smallest product, the Santro hatchback, which is 3,610 mm long, 1,645 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall.
Hyundai Casper (AX1): Expected styling clues
The spy photos indicate that the model will be aimed at young people, with its upright and boxy appearance and a number of weird positions on the outside, such as rounded edges, flat hood, split setting of round headlights, and daytime running lights. Located in the bumper. In the back, the taillights will continue the quirky design theme of the model, with triangular patterns and LED positions similar to new modern models such as Alcazar and Staria MPV sold overseas. The taillights may have a unique circular design that mimics the appearance of the front, and are likely to be located on the rear bumper.
Hyundai Casper (AX1): Expected engine and powertrain options
Casper is likely to be equipped with the same 1.2-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine (producing 83hp and 114Nm) as the Grand i10 Nios. The Korean automaker can also provide a lower version of a mini SUV equipped with a Santro 1.1-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine to reduce costs. In addition, in some markets, there are rumors that Venue’s 1.0-liter turbo gasoline engine will be installed under the hood of Casper.
Hyundai Casper (AX1): Expected competitor in India
Hyundai Casper’s most direct competitor will be the upcoming Tata HBX mini SUV. In addition, it will also face competition from other premium hatchbacks, such as Maruti Suzuki Ignis and Mahindra KUV100, to name a few.
See also:
Hyundai AX1 will challenge Tata HBX mini SUV
Hyundai AX1 mini SUV was teased for the first time
The new modern mini SUV takes shape
