- Kia admits it may be working on a successor to the sporty and emotional Stinger electric car.
- The model will be the first to feature a new design direction for the Kia brand.
- The latest Meta Turismo concept offers a glimpse of what Kia plans to do next.
Late last year, Kia revealed Vision Meta Turismo conceptan electric fastback design study that contains hints of the gas-powered engine Stinger Sport Sedanwhich was discontinued in 2023. This concept is not a direct preview of an upcoming production model, but it indicates Kia’s intention to produce a car in that space, which will become the brand’s halo model and show its future design direction.
We don’t know much about the upcoming model, but Kia’s design chief, Jochen Peisen, stopped short of confirming that. Auto Express. When asked specifically about Kia launching something along the lines of an electric Stinger successor, he responded, “Suffice it to say that we think this is the right time to explore these things. It (the Meta Turismo concept) is not the only answer, but the fact that we’re taking this as an opportunity, we feel like this is the right time to push these ideas, explore these ideas, work with these ideas, and find the answers that we’re looking for.”
It’s clear that Paisen wasn’t planning to give away too much, but his statement strongly suggests that Kia is working on a new electric halo model. “Meta Turismo was a wonderful project; it was an internal study that found its way to the public,” he said. “That was our homework to try and think about: How do you create something that’s more emotional and still retains our core values?”
Photo by: Kia
We’ve heard rumors of a possibility Replacement electric stinger Even before the combustion model was stopped. Kia has never officially confirmed it, and this is as close as it comes to acknowledging that such a model is in the works. According to Bisen, the concept had “a more emotional form of language, products that we don’t have in our portfolio today, but at the same time it asks questions about how technology is used. Less screens, richer experience.”
Kia has already trademarked the EV7 and EV8 names It is expected that the latter will be used For the upcoming halo model. But since it will be a special model, Kia may choose not to stick with its current EV naming strategy and give it a custom name; The Stinger seems to be a strong candidate since it was already established and the old model has won a lot of fans with its unique styling, premium interior and driving dynamics to rival the BMW.
Whatever Kia calls it, the model is expected to be based on a new software-defined platform known as the Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA). It is meant to replace E-GMP, which is used in all larger Hyundai-Kia EVs, and improve efficiency and scalability, as well as reduce costs. It will likely remain an 800V platform but improves charging speeds compared to the current peak of around 240 kilowatts.
Kia could unveil the EV8 sometime this year, but it’s unclear if it could come to the U.S. if it’s not built locally. It is manufactured by the Korean automaker EV6 and EV9 For the US market at its plant in West Point, Georgia, which also produces the Telluride, Sorento and Sportage. The factory’s production capacity is 350,000 cars annually, and some of its production is exported abroad to Mexico or the Middle East.
But the Kia EV8 could be built in New Hyundai Metaplant Georgiawhich is described as “the group’s first dedicated mass production electric vehicle plant.” Its expected annual production capacity is 500,000 cars, and although there is so far only confirmation that the Hyundai and Genesis models will roll off their production lines, they could also produce cars bearing the Kia badge.
