Kia is finally ready to reveal full details of its Vision Meta Turismo concept car after a brief look in December. It’s clear that the sports car is designed to anticipate the brand’s long-term focus on high-performance electric vehicles, including more things to do while you’re not moving at all.
The angular yet elegant fastback design is intended to be consistent with the “Opposites United” design language seen in automobiles like the EV6but it offers a “lounge-inspired” interior that pays homage to the grand tourer of the ’60s. That includes a front passenger seat that swivels 180 degrees to face rear when parked (for social occasions) and a large panoramic glass roof.
There’s even a virtual gear shift
The Vision Meta Turismo may present itself as a touring car, but Kia includes several touches aimed at sporty driving on any road.
It focuses on an “ultra-slim” instrument cluster, a lightweight, breathable seat, analog controls (including optional add-ons), and a precise but supposedly intuitive rectangular steering wheel inspired by video game controllers. According to Kia, a wide-angle augmented reality (AR) head-up display provides an “immersive” experience while driving.
The concept also borrows Hyundai Ioniq N Series techniques to convince conventional sports car enthusiasts. A virtual joystick-style gear lever lets you shift through the gears as if you were driving a gasoline manual. The buttons provide launch control for drag racing and a “GT Boost” that offers an F1-style power boost. You can adjust suspension sensitivity, ride feel, and virtual engine sounds to suit your tastes.
This is a design exercise, so Kia does not provide horsepower or other technical capabilities.
Passenger features: AR and a game center
You can run when you are parked
Kia is betting heavily on AR as an attraction for the passengers of the Vision Meta Turismo, even when the car is stationary. In addition to the driver-focused Speedster mode, there are Dreamer and Gamer modes that respectively cater to trips through “vibrant urban environments” (complete with AR glasses) and stationary fun.
Gamer mode promises virtual racing using both the HUD and the steering wheel, similar to playing tesla car games. There’s even an outside projector to create a “group gaming center,” so you and your friends can play in the parking lot after a long drive.
The front passenger seat posture is optimized for AR content through the head-up display. The structure is separated from the rest of the interior to offer “relaxed and emotional” conditions.
Will Kia build a production model?
Expect the elements to make their way to the cars of the future
Kia does not say if there will be a production version of the Vision Meta Turismo. At the time of writing, the only way to see it is to visit Milan Design Week, which runs until April 26, 2026. We wouldn’t expect some features, like the giant wheels or the almost entirely glass roof, to be included in the next-generation Kia electric vehicles.
However, as with many concept cars, there is a real possibility that some elements get to the cars you can buy. Design cues and more practical features, such as virtual gear shifting, could make their way to other cars. Kia describes this unique model as a “futuristic vision” of evolving mobility.
A preview, not a prototype
From that point of view, the Vision Meta Turismo is not so much a prototype as a general preview of where Kia’s performance-oriented cars are headed. The company wants to adapt its electric vehicles to the modern automotive landscape, and that means experimenting with both visual changes and the overall in-car experience.
Fountain: Come on
