- Kia has introduced the new Vision Meta Turismo concept.
- It celebrates their 80th anniversary and looks like a Stinger EV.
- Additional details about the new concept will follow soon.
Kia is celebrating their 80th anniversary with a new exhibition at the Kia Vision Square in Yongin, South Korea. It’s designed to celebrate employees past and present as well as give insight into the company’s future.
That’s clearly on display as the automaker used the event to unveil the Vision Meta Turismo concept. It’s a Stinger-esque vehicle that combines driving dynamics with a futuristic interior.
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Kia will have more to say about the concept at a later date, but it’s an edgy sedan with an Opposites United design. The front end features a protruding shark nose as well as a contrasting black fascia with angular lights and slender intakes.
Above, there’s a short hood that flows into a rakish windscreen. We can also see headlights that sweep back and turn into mounts for the digital side mirrors.
Moving to the profile, the concept has heavily stylized bodywork that loosely recalls the Polestar 5. Key highlights include angular doors, muscular rear haunches, and aerodynamically optimized wheels. We can also see an upward sweeping beltline as well as a unique glass roof with geometric elements.
The rear end is plain by comparison, but it features an integrated spoiler as well as boomerang-shaped taillights. The model also has a contrasting black bumper and a stylish diffuser.
A Minimalist Interior That Embraces Tech
Kia was more forthcoming about the interior as they described it as a “highly immersive” environment that reimagines the relationship between man and machine.
In particular, the company mentioned an augmented reality head-up display that has Speedster, Dreamer, and Gamer modes. Information is shown on the windshield via smart glass, enabling drivers to see “virtual graphics as if they are floating above the road in three dimensions.”
Elsewhere, the concept has a D-shaped steering wheel and a small square display. We can also get a glimpse of a camera and a futuristic instrument cluster. More notably, the contrasting yellow driver’s seat has a joystick-like control on the armrest.
There’s no word on what the joystick does, but Kia’s Head of Design said “The Vision Meta Turismo embodies Kia’s vision that integrates dynamic mobility and human-centered spaces.” Karim Habib added the model is an “expression of Kia’s commitment to continually bring technologically advanced mobility and experiences that engage, stimulate, and inspire.”
Kia’s History
While Kia seems like a relatively recent company, their origins can be traced back to 1944 when Kim Cheol-ho founded the Kyungsung Precision Industry. The firm was later renamed Kia in 1952, when they introduced their new 3000-Liho bicycle. It was Korea’s first domestically produced bike and it was a huge success.
22 years later, in 1974, Kia introduced their first vehicle with four wheels. Known as the Brisa, it was offered as a sedan and pickup. The subcompact Pride followed over a decade later and it landed in America in 1987 – according to the company’s occasionally conflicting timeline. While some of those dates might be slightly off, Kia has gone from a no-name to a well-respected global automaker.
