Kia’s cyber-inspired electric sports car is 90% production-ready
It looks like a Lamborghini EV from the future and will likely arrive as an electric successor to the Kia Stinger. Kia unveiled the Vision Meta Turismo concept, a preview of its upcoming futuristic EV sports car.
Kia Vision MT will go into production as an EV sports car
After revealing the electric sports car concept in Korea last year, the Kia Vision Meta Turismo made its global debut at Milan Design Week last month.
While it’s still a concept, Kia’s global design boss, Karim Habib, said the Vision Meta Turismo “marks a significant milestone,” offering a sneak peek at how its new “Opposites United” design will evolve over the next few years.
The Vision Meta Turismo is “a physical manifestation of Kia’s continuous push forward,” according to Habib, that’s centered on three principles: performance driving, an immersive digital experience, and providing lounge-like space and comfort.
The concept’s low-riding, aerodynamic design looks like a futuristic Lamborghini or Stinger, but Habib said it takes inspiration from a jet aircraft.
Inside, the Kia Vision Meta Turismo is designed for gamers and those looking for a more immersive, arcade-like experience with a joystick, Virtual Gear Shifter, Button Launch Control, Virtual Engine Sounds, and more.
The concept also features a new steering wheel design that Kia said embodies its “vision of next-generation, intuitive interfaces.”
Drivers can choose from three different drive modes: Speedster, Dreamer, and Gamer, which offer unique experiences.
When Speedster mode is activated, a wide-angle augmented reality (AR) head-up display (HUD) simulates the driving experience, with sequential lighting and background sound effects.
Dreamer is designed for use in the city to offer a virtual experience via an AR HUD and AR glasses. While it can only be used when parked, Gamer Mode creates a virtual racing experience using the AR HUD and steering wheel.
Kia confirmed it will build a production version of the Vision Meta Turismo, but it will likely be some time before we see it on the streets. Habib told Autocar that the electric sports car will go into production when it can be built at a reasonable cost.
“At this point, it is more strategic. It’s a pure EV, and the price of doing a high-performance EV is what is slowing us down,” Habib said, adding, “Hopefully, the upward movement of EVs keeps going. I think there will be more openness to this [type of] car. At least that’s what we’re betting on.”
Kia doesn’t want to give up on the “small history of doing cars like the Stinger,” so the Meta Vision Turismo is the company’s “idea of a sports sedan for the gamer generation,” Habib explained.
Like most automakers these days, Kia mostly sells SUVs like the Sportage and Seltos, but the Korean automaker believes there’s a market for smaller, performance vehicles.
Autocar, which was invited to see the concept, also got a sneak peek at a fastback version. According to Habib, the team had already created a “90% production-ready” model that we could also see hit the market in a few years.
When the Vision Meta Turismo arrives, likely as an electric successor to the Stinger, it could be called the EV7 or EV8 to fill out Kia’s electric vehicle lineup.
Before then, we will see Kia’s new design language begin to roll out on new models, including an electric alternative to the Picanto (EV1), set to go on sale by the end of 2027.
What do you think about the electric sports car concept? Would you buy the production version? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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