First Drive of the Hyundai Inster: Testing in the Heat of Bodangora

If you haven’t heard of Bodangora, you’re not alone. This small locality in the central west of New South Wales, Australia, is home to just a few houses, not many residents, and an isolated airstrip. However, it recently played host to something much more exciting—the global hot weather testing of the new Hyundai Inster.

A Sneak Peek at the Hyundai Inster

Our drive wasn't in a finished production model but rather a hand-built prototype of the Inster, complete with camouflage coverings inside and out. As the Hyundai Australia team was quick to point out, this prototype was “not representative of what the final product will be like.” Even so, the opportunity to drive this test mule gave us a glimpse into what Hyundai has in store.

The Inster is the smallest model in Hyundai’s range, based on the petrol-powered Casper sold in South Korea. Its dimensions are compact, measuring 3825mm in length, with a 2580mm wheelbase, a width of 1610mm, and a boxy body that stands 1575mm tall. Despite its small size, the Inster prototype felt substantial, weighing in at around 1350kg.

Why Test in Bodangora?

You might wonder why Hyundai chose a remote place like Bodangora for testing. The answer lies in the weather. Known for its scorching temperatures, this location regularly sees the mercury rise above 45 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal spot for hot weather testing. On the day of our drive, it was a relatively mild 37 degrees—perfect for putting the Inster through its paces in challenging conditions.

The Driving Experience

Driving up and down Bodangora’s airstrip, there was only so much to learn about the car’s capabilities. However, a few things stood out. The Inster prototype featured multiple drive modes, and while it was unclear if these were tuned to their final settings, there was a noticeable difference in performance, especially in acceleration from a standstill and during roll-on acceleration.

The Inster is expected to offer two variants: a Standard Range with a 0-100 km/h time of 11.7 seconds and a Long Range that shaves that time down to 10.6 seconds. Although we didn’t have the equipment to verify these numbers during our brief test drive, the acceleration felt consistent with Hyundai’s claims.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

The Hyundai Inster is slated to hit the market in early 2025, and our brief encounter with this prototype suggests it could be an exciting addition to Hyundai’s lineup. While final details are still under wraps, the combination of compact size, electric powertrain options, and Hyundai’s proven engineering make the Inster a model to watch.

For now, the Inster remains a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. With further testing and fine-tuning, it will be interesting to see how this small yet robust vehicle evolves before it reaches showrooms. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the official launch, and keep an eye out for the Hyundai Inster, especially if you’re in the market for a compact SUV that handles the heat like a pro!