Casper EV Upgrade: What’s Changing in Hyundai’s Latest Electric Vehicle

Test car for final production spotted
Differences from the previous design
Is the LWB model also to be released in Korea?

The test car for the final production of the Casper EV, which is scheduled for official release within the year, has been spotted. This test car is speculated to be the long-wheelbase version known for export to Europe and Japan. Recently, there has been speculation about the possibility of releasing the long-wheelbase model in Korea, attracting high consumer interest.

Previously, only the base model that adhered to the compact car specifications was released in Korea for the compact car benefits, and the extended long-wheelbase model, which was designed with an overall length and wheelbase increase and a width of over 1.6m (5.2 feet), was known as the model for export to Europe.

Giving up on compact car specifications
Securing a driving distance of 350 km

Recently, there has been speculation in the industry that Hyundai could boldly give up the compact car benefits of the Casper EV, given that it is impossible to receive both electric car benefits and compact car benefits. The Ray EV, which adheres to compact car specifications, has been criticized for its lack of driving distance due to the smaller battery with less capacity due to its limited space. The Ray EV is equipped with a 35.2 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, which allows it to travel 205 km when fully charged.

On the other hand, Hyundai is known to equip the new Casper EV with a 48.6 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, larger than the Ray EV’s battery. This battery is expected to secure a driving distance of 350 km when fully charged, improving the driving distance that was considered insufficient in the previous Ray EV.

Lengthening the overall size
Advantageous for securing interior space

In order to accommodate the larger battery, the Casper is expected to be larger than the existing gasoline model. GGM announced last month that the overall length of the Casper EV would be 250 mm longer than the existing Casper when it began full-scale test production. The overall length of the existing Casper is 3,595 mm (141.5 inches), and if it is extended by 250 mm (9.8 inches), it will be 3,845 mm (151.4 inches) long. This significantly exceeds the 3,600 mm (141.7 inches) compact car specification.

Even if it does not receive compact car benefits, the Casper EV, being an electric vehicle, can receive electric vehicle benefits. It can formulate a strategy to improve product quality by giving up compact car benefits and choosing electric vehicle benefits. Not only securing driving distance but also securing legroom in the second row and utilizing interior space are advantages of increasing its size.

Reflecting unique electric car design
Pixel pattern turn signals

The Casper EV is set to exhibit more of the unique design characteristics of electric vehicles, differentiating itself from the existing Casper model. A glimpse at the exterior of the test car captured reveals that the front end incorporates the distinctive pixel pattern found in the Ioniq series, applied to the direction indicators. The headlamps are detailed further by dividing the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) into four segments.

At the rear, similar pixel graphic tail lamps have been applied, with the previous oval-shaped reverse lights and direction indicators now arranged in two vertical lines at the bottom. The oval design is reflected in the reflectors, which, like the front DRL, are divided into four parts. On the sides, the wheel design has changed. While the square pattern remains the same, the size of the pattern has been reduced.