The Kia Stinger garnered a small but loyal fan base as the brand’s first rear-wheel drive performance car, and now the Vision Meta Turismo concept shows that Kia hasn’t abandoned the idea entirely.
Electric Cars
As part of its 80th anniversary celebrations, Kia quietly pulled the sheet back on a new concept car, the Vision Meta Turismo.
Initial details on the new concept were sparingly shared, but Kia claims the Vision Meta Turismo was designed to reinterpret three 'core experiences': performance driving, immersive driving experience through digital interaction, and spaciousness.
If any of that sounds familiar, it’s because Kia made a lot of noise about the performance potential and spaciousness of the Stinger-previewing Kia GT Concept when it was first unveiled in 2011.
Kia says the new concept pays homage to the “speed and elegance of 1960s long-distance touring.”
Visually, the Vision Meta Turismo takes a very different approach to the flowing lines of the Stinger, with a sharp front end, angular creases along the bodysides, and minimalist lighting elements.
The interior of the Vision Meta Turismo is built around integrated digital instrumentation, with an augmented reality head-up display providing key information for the driver, while the interior itself is free from traditional screens.
The Vision Meta Turismo offers drivers three ‘immersive digital modes’ including Speedster, which is tailored to performance driving, Dreamer, designed as a comfort and relaxation setting, and Gamer, transforming the cabin into an entertainment space.
The spacious interior highlights the driver controls with a yellow cockpit, yoke-style steering wheel, and driver’s seat, while the rest of the cabin is trimmed in a more sedate off-white.
Kia did not offer any details on the powertrain for the concept, although it's unlikely the Vision Meta Turismo is anything other than an electric vehicle, based on its proportions and packaging.
While it is unlikely to revive the Stinger name, the new car could become the Kia EV8, positioned as the performance flagship of Kia’s EV range.
Kia has said that more information about the concept will be released in the near future, suggesting that there’s more in store for the concept than just being a showcase as part of Kia’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
Electric Cars Guide
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
