MILAN: Kia Corp recently presented full details of its Vision Meta Turismo concept car at Milan Design Week.
The event marked the global debut of the Kia Vision Meta Turismo concept, following its initial reveal in Korea last year, where it was unveiled in December to celebrate the brand’s 80th anniversary.
The Vision Meta Turismo concept 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.
Kia Global Design executive vice president and head Karim Habib said, "The Vision Meta Turismo marks a significant milestone, demonstrating how Kia‘s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy also shapes our future vision of mobility."
"Harmonising the spirit of 1960s long-distance touring with the limitless possibilities of an immersive digital experience, we have created a vehicle that moves beyond the bounds of tradition."
Kia’s design philosophy, ‘Opposites United’, is evident in the design of Vision Meta Turismo, where soft surfaces meet technical geometry.
The concept’s extreme cab-forward architecture underpins an advanced, sleek silhouette with a low and wide profile clad in a ‘soft geometric’ surface language.
Vision Meta Turismo’s low nose emphasises its cab-forward architecture with a cut back lower section which features a black technical insert, housing the car’s futuristic functional elements while highlighting its floating aesthetic and high-performance character.
The rear of the car transitions from soft, flowing curves into a sharp, truncated tail with a sharp trailing edge designed to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed stability.
The focal point is the ultra-slim LED lighting signature.
The horizontal blade of light wraps around the rear corners, accentuating its visual width and emphasising the car's low centre of gravity.
Kia’s designers took inspiration from jet aircraft.
The canard – a small wing-like projection attached to an aircraft forward of the main wing – inspires the form of the structure that houses technical elements such as the upper front lamp and rear-view camera.
Meanwhile, the Vision Meta Turismo concept driver’s seat and space are designed for focused, functional immersion; purpose-built to enable deep concentration behind the wheel and provide next-generation driving attributes:
- Ultra-slim, refined instrument cluster.
- Light frame seat structure optimised for performance driving.
- Mesh fabric designed for air flow.
The Vision Meta Turismo concept passenger seat uses the same form language and mesh materials as the driver’s seat to maintain visual harmony, yet it is structurally distinct to provide a more relaxed, emotive experience:
- Lounge-like seating posture.
- Optimal posture for enjoying AR content via 3D HUD.
- Rotates 180 degrees when the vehicle is stationary, allowing the front passenger face-to-face engagement with the rear passengers.
