A-segment is the smallest vehicle classfication in Europe and Hyundai's smallest SUV Casper is to be electrified to render up to 300 km for Europe but may also be available in the US at the price of less than $20,000.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY
With the increase in the price of electric cars as a result of the ongoing supply chain issues, as well as the Russian Ukraine conflict leading to the spike in the price of key components such as cobalt that forms the basis of the EV batteries, it’s reported that now more consumers are turning to smaller cars than ever, globally but most notably in Europe.
And as such, global EV makers are putting effort into the development of small electric vehicles, and the Hyundai Motor Group, as a new global leader in electric cars with the successful introduction of ground-breaking EVs such as IONIQ 5 and the EV6, along with the Niro and Kona EVs leading in sales, is no exception.
In this episode, we will determine how important this small electric vehicle market has become of late, and find out what Hyundai is planning in response.
Expected to be utilizing the 39-kWh battery from the European Kona EV standard range model, it’s estimated to attain up to 300 km or 186 miles on a single charge, which should definitely be class-leading.
The small cars in question are what are known as A-segment cars, and by definition, it’s the smallest vehicle size classification, and is also known as a city car in Europe. This class of cars includes models like Fiat 500 and Chevy Spark in North America.
According to the latest statistics, in Europe, the portion of the A-segment class electric vehicles that account for the entire EV sales has increased to 16% in the second half of 2021, which is 4 times what it was 1 year earlier at just 4%, incredibly. In particular, in Germany, A-segment EV sales have accounted for a phenomenal 45.8%, in Italy at 15.7%, and in France at 14.9%. These 3 countries have combined to sell 80% of all A-segment EVs in Europe, and the number one selling electric vehicle model in each country is ironically the domestic branded cars. These are VW e-Up in Germany, Fiat 500 Electric in Italy, and Renault Twingo Electric in France.
In addition to the inherent low price, there are a couple of factors for the incredible growth in the A-segment EVs, in particular in these 3 countries.
First, the small EVs seem to be doing well in countries that offer scaled government incentive programs that offer more discounts on cheaper cars. Currently outselling even the popular ID3 and ID4, the EV version of the ICE VW Up, now has a starting price tag of just €21,421 reduced from the previous €26,900, which can be further reduced to €12,421 with the whopping €9,000 incentive, thereby making it similar in price to the internal combustion model. More expensive models such as Fiat 500 will still qualify for €8,000, and the Renault Twingo will receive €5,800 in government incentives.
Another reason for the growth in the A-segment EV sales is vastly improved products themselves. Due to the increase in the level of competition in the electric city car segment, manufacturers are forced to upgrade their vehicles to drive longer and be better equipped. For example, the aforementioned VW e-UP has almost doubled its battery size from the previous 18.5 kWh to 36.8 kWh, increasing the range from 160 km to 256 km, despite the price actually going down by more than €5,000.
VW e-Up, Renault Twingo EV, and Fiat New 500e are the leading the EV sales in Europe (For More Info: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY)
Currently, Hyundai is aggressively preparing for the invasion of the North American, Korean, and Australian markets with the bigger and glitzier EVs, such as the upcoming IONIQ 6, which is the company’s first-ever electric sedan, and a follow up to the IONIQ 5 SUV, as well as the production version of the SEVEN concept, expected to be the largest SUV ever from Hyundai with the wheelbase of 3,200 mm or 126 inches, and the overall length to exceed 5 meters, along with the estimated range of up to 350 miles or 560 km. However, the Korean company is not going to let its competitors walk away with the European market, especially when they are doing so well with their mid-priced models such as Kona EV and Niro EV.
In addition to the products like the upcoming all-new Kona EV, which is to be a Kia Niro EV based car from the second generation with the 400-volt charging system, and a 64.8 kWh battery to render approximately 450 km WLTP range, being added to the EV lineup that’s led by the 800-volt IONIQ 5, Hyundai has now officially made clear that there is to be a brand new electric city car destined mainly for Europe as well.
The Casper EV will be a valuable addition to Hyundai's successful EV lineup in Euope. (For More Info: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY)
The first of its kind of Hyundai, the A-segment electric car is to be developed by end of this year, and after Its prerequisite testing, it’s expected to be released in the European market by 2024.
According to the reports out of Korea, the A-segment car in question is expected to be based on the current smallest car in the lineup called Casper, as it coincides with the company’s plan of putting the small 4-door city car through an electrification process within this year, to turn it into the smallest BEV in the Hyundai stable.
As of now, Casper is only sold in Korea and it’s also the smallest SUV in the lineup, even smaller than the B-segment Hyundai Venue and the Europe-only Bayon SUV, with a length of 4 meters approximately.
Hyundai Casper is highly practical for a small car with versatile seating arrangement that offers huge space inside. (For More Info: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY)
The overall dimensions of the new A-segment SUV will be 3,600 mm in length, 1595 mm in width, and 1575 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,400 mm, the size will pit the Korean city car squarely against the likes of the VW e-Up and the Fiat New 500, but adds the versatility of having a high roof thanks to its boxy SUV shape. Also, just like its larger SUV siblings, Casper features a flexible seating arrangement that maximizes its cargo holding capacity so that it could also be used as an economical commercial vehicle.
Another advantage of the Casper EV over the competitor is its range. Expected to be utilizing the 39-kWh battery from the European Kona EV standard range model, it’s estimated to attain up to 300 km or 186 miles on a single charge, which should definitely be class-leading. The charge time is also expected to lead the pack as well. This efficiency comes from using the latest power electric drive system that shares the same lineage as the Ford Mustang Mach E. BorgWarner, an American multinational auto technology giant, is to provide Hyundai with the iDM or integrated drive module, similar to the unit that was supplied to Ford. iDM is an integrated unit that puts together an electric motor, gearbox, and integrated power electronics to offer weight savings, and size reduction ideal for such a small car. In the case of iDM for Hyundai, BorgWarner is supplying the iDM 146 model built for the 400-volt charging system, to offer a similar charging speed as Mach E, which will support 150kW charging for 80% charge in about 40 minutes, and gain 60 miles in 10 minutes.
Hyundai Casper EV is to be a fast EV with BorgWarner supplied iDM unit that provides up to 181 hp. (For More Info: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY)
As with Mach-e, the electric motor uses High Voltage Hairpin technology that produces the highest efficiency and power density. The peak output of this compact yet highly sophisticated electric power system Is up to an astounding 135 kW or 181-hp. It’s not certain if all of the maximum power would be used for the Casper EV, but if it does, it would make the small SUV the fastest EV in its class with the estimated 0 to 100 km time of around 6.5 seconds.
Finally, for the styling, aside from the distinguishing taller roof design, the exterior modification includes the newly designed daytime running light, revised EV grille, and skid plate. It’s obviously not going to be as provocative as the show car-based new Niro’s exterior, but the taller roof now offers that rugged SUV look that stands out and would be a plus, and the 4th reason to purchase the Niro Plus, if you are looking for a more conservative-looking car.
Cargo Van version is also available in Korea (For More Info: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY)
For the price, Hyundai would follow the strategy of the competitors by offering more for less, and selling it at the starting price of just under €22,000 or £24,000, similar to that of the top-selling VW e-Up. With the same government incentive, the final price would come down to as low as 13,000 Euros in Germany, to give the current sales leader run for its money. If Hyundai decides to offer the Casper EV in the US, and they just might with the demand for inexpensive EVs bursting, without proper options being available with decent range and quality, the price could be as low as just below $20,000, given that car prices tend to be substantially cheaper in the US compared to Europe. This would make the Casper EV the lowest-priced EV available anywhere, undercutting the nearest competitor Nissan Leaf by over $7,000, in addition to offering a longer range, as the Japanese electric hatchback only renders 144 miles from its 40 kWh battery.
Granted, Casper EV will be quite a bit smaller than the Nissan Leaf, which is a proper compact car that’s similar to Hyundai Kona in size. But if you are in the market for a great daily commuter to beat the high gas price, and EV prices in general, the all-new Casper EV might be just what the doctor ordered.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LXoDNZX3oiY
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