Kia Is Developing A Performance Sedan Geared Toward Digital-Native Drivers
Kia is working on a new electric sports sedan inspired by the Vision Meta Turismo concept, according to the brand’s design leadership. The project is being positioned as a performance car aimed at younger, tech-focused buyers, with the company describing it as a “sports sedan for the gamer generation.”
Speaking to Autocar, Karim Habib explained that Kia wants to move beyond its SUV-heavy range and re-enter the sedan space with something more emotional. He also suggested that a fastback derivative is already close to being ready for production, giving that version a realistic path to showrooms as well.
Neither vehicle will use a combustion engine. Kia believes younger customers are less attached to traditional engines, and its interior design chief, Jochen Paesen, said they are also unlikely to be impressed by synthetic engine sounds or fake gear changes. Those features are becoming more common elsewhere in the industry, including on performance EVs from Hyundai.
An Electric Successor To The Stinger Spirit
Although Kia is not trying to imitate an internal-combustion car with artificial theatrics, it still wants the finished model to feel exciting and engaging. The Vision Meta Turismo points toward a dedicated performance EV rather than a sporty trim level based on an existing vehicle, which means the car is being developed from the ground up as a true driver-focused model.
Habib admitted that the project is progressing slowly because of the expense involved, but he made clear that Kia has no intention of abandoning the idea. The company sees the model as a continuation of the spirit behind cars like the Stinger, while also appealing to a new generation of buyers through design and technology.
When the concept was shown during Milan Design Week, Kia highlighted its promise of a more vivid and immersive driving experience, paired with a cabin that feels more like a lounge than a conventional sedan interior. No launch date has been announced, so the production version is unlikely to arrive in the immediate future.
For now, Kia’s plan is simple: keep the emotional appeal of a sporty grand tourer alive, but reshape it into a fully electric package that speaks to modern tastes.
