Kia Teases Electric Stinger Successor: Meta Turismo Concept Paves Way for Future Sports Sedan

Kia has confirmed plans for a new sports sedan to succeed the discontinued Stinger, but the timeline remains uncertain. The Meta Turismo concept, unveiled as a blueprint for the future, is fully electric and represents the brand’s vision for a modern performance vehicle. However, design boss Karim Habib cites the high cost of performance EVs as the primary obstacle to production.

Why the Stinger’s Legacy Matters

The original Stinger, which ceased production in 2023 after five and a half years, never achieved the sales volumes Kia anticipated. Yet, it cultivated a loyal following among enthusiasts who still urge the brand to revive the nameplate. The Meta Turismo concept aims to honor that legacy while adapting to shifting consumer preferences.

“We have a small history of doing cars like the Stinger, and that’s something we don’t want to give up on,” Habib told Autocar. “The Meta Turismo is our idea of a sports sedan for the gamer generation. A few years ago, we started thinking about what could we do beyond SUVs? We do produce and sell a lot of SUVs, which is good, but we also believe that there’s more than that.”

EV Tech and Market Readiness

Kia’s hesitation to launch the Meta Turismo immediately stems from the current pricing of high-performance EVs. Habib emphasized that the brand is waiting for EV technology and affordability to align with its vision.

“At this point, it is more strategic. It’s a pure EV, and the price of doing a high-performance EV is what is slowing us down. Hopefully, the upward movement of EVs keeps going. I think there will be more openness to this [type of] car. At least that’s what we’re betting on.”

The Meta Turismo, revealed as part of Kia’s Opposites United design language, features a dramatic and emotionally engaging design, though it remains a concept for now.

Stinger’s Engine Legacy vs. Future Electric Focus

The original Stinger lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (introduced during a facelift), and a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel in select markets. However, Kia’s future plans for the Meta Turismo do not include internal combustion engines (ICE).

“We’re car people,” said Jochen Paesen, Kia’s head of interior design. “We grew up on the side of a race track hearing V8s, but those are not the things that the younger generation care as much about. It actually doesn’t trigger them. It triggered us, but we’re living in a different age, so understanding what triggers the younger generation is key.”

EV6 GT: A Missed Opportunity?

The Kia EV6 GT, introduced as a potential successor to the Stinger, failed to resonate with enthusiasts. Its crossover styling and electric powertrain did not align with the performance sedan’s cultivated audience, and its price point significantly exceeded that of the Stinger. The Meta Turismo concept seeks to address these gaps by blending sports sedan dynamics with cutting-edge EV technology.

What’s Next for Kia’s Sports Sedan?

While the Meta Turismo remains a concept, Kia’s commitment to reviving the Stinger’s spirit in an electric format signals a strategic shift. The brand is betting on the eventual affordability of performance EVs to make this vision a reality. Until then, enthusiasts will have to wait for the stars to align—both in technology and market demand.