Think about it: Kia’s first-generation Stinger was a pretty radial look for the automaker at the time.
OK, OK, let’s get one thing clear right off the bat: Yes, we know this is technically not the next production Kia Stinger. It’s probably not anything close to it, but the automaker did debut this futuristic concept (only shown before in Korea) during Milan Design Week as an idea of where it might be going. We are looking at a hyper-futuristic, extremely angular four-door sedan too, so…you never know, right?
What you’re looking at here is Kia’s Vision Meta Turismo concept. Ostensibly, the company says, it “embodies Kia’s futuristic vision of an evolved approach to mobility. The design combines dynamic driving performance with a lounge-inspired interior, paying homage to the speed and elegance of 1960s long-distance touring.” Even if most of that marketing speak bounced straight off when you read it, the concept car itself certainly won’t.
In fact, with a super laid back driving position, a steering yoke and even a joystick positioned on the seat, you get the notion this Meta Turismo concept aims toward the racing sim folks. Those who grew up on gaming will know all too well Kia’s stated intent here, to add “additional layers of excitement to EV driving through a series of analog controllers that engage digital technologies to deliver haptic feedback and physical simulation”. The joystick, as it were, functions as you’d expect if you are a gamer type: a virtual gear shifter that combines the sensation of changing gears with what Kia calls “emotive virtual engine sounds”. Think Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 N, but just a little bit nerdier.
And all of that is before we even get to the different experience modes. Speedster offers up a wide-angle augmented reality head-up display on the windshield, as well as adaptive sequential lighting and sound effects. Dreamer (for urban environments) offers up the HUD and augmented reality glasses to navigate more complex traffic situations. Then there’s Gamer mode, which is the most on the nose and does exactly what the name suggests, by letting you use the car as an actual racing simulator. It even has an external projector to create a “group gaming hub”. A lot of this stuff obviously won’t appeal to the more analog drivers who don’t want their experience marred by all this complicated tech, but then again…this car isn’t really for us, is it? For the next generation, the Vision Meta Turismo concept definitely grabs the idea of a digital-forward car with both hands.
Tommy checks out the concept in greater detail in the video below, as well as a host of other design EV concept models on display in Milan this week:
