Kia Vision Meta Turismo Previews Performance EV Future

Key Takeaways

• The concept features a joystick-style virtual stick shift and F1-inspired GT Boost button for performance driving
• Gamer mode turns the parked car into a racing simulator using the heads-up display and steering wheel
• A front passenger seat rotates 180 degrees to face rear passengers when parked

Kia has pulled back the curtain on its Vision Meta Turismo concept car, revealing a performance EV that treats parked time as seriously as driving time. First teased in December, the full reveal shows a sports car that borrows heavily from video game culture while nodding to 1960s grand touring design.

The angular fastback design follows Kia's "Opposites United" language seen in production cars like the EV6. Inside, a "lounge-inspired" cabin features a front passenger seat that rotates 180 degrees to face the rear. The idea: when you're parked at a scenic overlook or charging station, you can actually talk to your passengers.

Performance Features for EV Skeptics

Kia packed the concept with features designed to win over drivers who miss the tactile feedback of gas-powered sports cars. The centerpiece is a joystick-style virtual stick shift that simulates rowing through gears. This borrows directly from Hyundai's Ioniq N-series EVs, which use similar tricks to recreate the manual transmission experience.

The steering wheel takes inspiration from video game controllers. It's rectangular rather than round, with Kia claiming it offers precise yet intuitive handling. An ultra-slim instrument cluster keeps the focus on the road, while a wide-angle augmented reality heads-up display projects driving information onto the windshield.

Two buttons handle the serious acceleration duties. Launch control preps the car for drag racing starts. A "GT Boost" button delivers what Kia describes as an F1-style power surge. Drivers can also tune suspension sensitivity, driving feel, and virtual engine sounds through the system.

Since this is a design exercise, Kia isn't sharing horsepower figures or range estimates. The company wants to test reactions to the experience design before committing to production specs.

Gaming Hub on Wheels

The Vision Meta Turismo offers three distinct modes. Speedster mode focuses on driving. Dreamer mode pairs with AR glasses for enhanced views of urban environments during trips. Gamer mode transforms the parked car into a racing simulator.

In Gamer mode, the heads-up display and steering wheel become your racing setup. Think of it as a built-in racing rig. This approach echoes features already available in Tesla vehicles, where drivers can play games while parked and charging.

Kia takes the gaming concept further with an exterior projector that creates what the company calls a "group gaming hub." The idea is multiplayer gaming in a parking lot after a road trip. Whether drivers actually want this remains to be seen, but it signals Kia's thinking about EVs as entertainment platforms.

The front passenger seat has been engineered specifically for AR content consumption. Its structure is physically separated from the rest of the interior to reduce vibrations and create what Kia calls "relaxed, emotive" viewing conditions.

What This Means for Production Kias

Concept cars rarely reach production unchanged. The rotating passenger seat and exterior projector may never appear in a showroom. But the virtual stick shift and GT Boost features already exist in Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N, which shares platforms with Kia.

The AR heads-up display technology is also production-ready. Several luxury brands already offer augmented reality navigation overlays. Kia's implementation, if it reaches production, would bring the tech to a broader price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Kia Vision Meta Turismo be sold to consumers?

No production plans have been announced. This is a concept car designed to preview technology and design directions Kia may incorporate into future EVs.

What is the virtual stick shift in the Vision Meta Turismo?

It's a joystick-style controller that simulates the experience of shifting gears in a manual transmission car, borrowed from Hyundai's Ioniq N-series technology.

Can you play video games in the Kia Vision Meta Turismo?

The concept includes a Gamer mode that uses the heads-up display and steering wheel as a racing simulator when parked. An exterior projector also enables group gaming.

How does the rotating passenger seat work?

The front passenger seat rotates 180 degrees to face the rear seats when the car is parked, allowing face-to-face conversations during stops.

What is Kia's Opposites United design language?

It's Kia's current design philosophy seen in models like the EV6, characterized by angular lines and contrasting visual elements. The Vision Meta Turismo extends this language into a sports car form.

Source: How-To Geek