<ul><li>Kia acknowledges it may be working on a sporty and emotional electric Stinger successor.</li><li>The model will be the first to feature a new design direction for the Kia brand.</li><li>The recent Meta Turismo concept offers a hint of what Kia plans to do next.</li></ul><div class="apInarticleSmallRes"><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_first_1768920530" class="ap" style="width: 300px"></div></div><p>Late last year, Kia unveiled the Vision Meta Turismo concept, an electric fastback design study that had hints of the gas-powered Stinger sport sedan, which was discontinued in 2023. The concept is not a direct preview for an upcoming production model, but it does signal Kia’s intention to produce a vehicle in that space, which will become the brand’s halo model and show its future design direction.</p><p>We don’t know much about the upcoming model, but Kia’s design boss, Jochen Paesen, stopped just short of confirming it toAutoExpress. When asked specifically about Kia launching something along the lines of an electric Stinger successor, he replied that “Enough to say that we think it is the right time to explore those things. It [the Meta Turismo Concept] is not the only answer, but the fact we’re taking this as an opportunity, we feel it’s the right time to push these ideas, explore these ideas, work with these ideas, and find the answers we’re looking for.”</p><p>Paesen clearly wasn't planning to give much away, but his statement strongly suggests that Kia is working on a new electric halo model. &#34;The Meta Turismo was a great project; it was an internal study that happened to find its way out into the public,&#34; he said. &#34;This was our homework to try and consider: how do you create something that is more emotional and still has our core values?”</p><div class="outstream_partner">                                                                                                    </div><section>        <span class="svg-search">                                                </span>                            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="Kia Vision Meta Turismo concept" width="16" height="9" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png"/>            <div class="source-title">Photo by: Kia</div></section><p>We’ve known about rumors of a possible electric Stinger replacement even before the combustion model was discontinued. Kia never officially confirmed them and this is as close as it’s come to admitting such a model is in the works. According to Paesen, the concept had “a more emotional form of language, and products that today we don’t have in our portfolio, but at the same time asks questions about how you use technology. Less screens, a richer experience.”</p><p>Kia has already trademarked the EV7 and EV8 names, with the latter expected to be used for the upcoming halo model. But since it would be a special model, Kia may choose not to stick to its current electric vehicle naming strategy and give it a bespoke name; Stinger seems like a strong candidate since it’s already established and the old model won lots of fans with its unique design, premium interior and driving dynamics to rival a BMW.</p><div class="apInarticleSmallRes"><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_1_1768920530" class="ap" style="width: 300px"></div></div><p>Whatever Kia ends up calling it, the model is expected to ride 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 to improve efficiency and scalability, as well as reduce costs. It will likely remain an 800-volt platform but improve charging speeds over today’s peak of around 240 kilowatts.</p>    <section>        <div class="widget-newsletter__logo">            <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="logo" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://cdn.motor1.com/custom/share/evus_newsletter_widget_logo.svg"/>        </div>        <div class="widget-newsletter__wrapper">            <div class="widget-newsletter__title">Stay informed with our newsletter every weekday</div>                        <div class="widget-newsletter__state hidden">                <div class="widget-newsletter__message"></div>                back            </div>                                             Subscribe                <span class="widget-newsletter__legal">For more info, read our Privacy Policy &amp; Terms of Use. </span>                    </div>    </section><p>Kia could reveal the EV8 sometime this year, but it's unclear if it could come to the United States if it’s not locally built. The Korean automaker builds the EV6 and EV9 for the U.S. market in its West Point, Georgia, plant, which also produces the Telluride, Sorento, and Sportage. The factory has an annual capacity of 350,000 vehicles and some of its output is exported abroad to Mexico or the Middle East.</p><div class="item m1-ap-native m1-ap-native-mobile"><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_3_1768920530" class="ap"></div></div><div class="item m1-ap-native "><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Native_native_2_1768920530" class="ap"></div></div><p>But the Kia EV8 could be built at the new Hyundai Metaplant Georgia, which is described as the group’s “first dedicated mass-production electrified vehicle plant.” It has a projected annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles, and even though so far there’s only confirmation of Hyundai and Genesis models rolling off its production lines, it could also produce Kia-badged vehicles.</p><section> <p>More On This</p> <div class="wrapper-related-item"> <div class="related-item">                    Kia Revealed A Tiny, Affordable EV. See The EV2 </div> <div class="related-item">                    Kia Just Gave Its Affordable EVs More Power And Pretend Gears </div> <div class="related-item">                    Kia’s PV5 Makes The VW ID. Buzz Look Excessive </div> <div class="related-item">                    The 2026 Kia EV4 Simplifies The Formula </div> </div> </section><div class="apInarticleSmallRes"><div id="ads_6122441_EV_ev_us_Rectangle_rectangle_2_1768920530" class="ap" style="width: 300px"></div></div>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <section><p><span>We want your opinion!</span></p><div class="compact-body-large"><p>What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?</p>Take our 3 minute survey.</div><p>- The InsideEVs team</p></section>                                                                                                    <div class="group isBottomShare mb-spacing-md-lg">                                <div class="normal-title-medium mb-spacing-sm-md text-center text-text-contrast-soft capitalize">                                    Share this Story                                </div>                                <div class="parent-shareBox parent-shareBox-bottom">                                    <ul>                            <li>                                                                                                                        Facebook                                                    </li>                                    <li>                                                                                                                        X                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        LinkedIn                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        Flipboard                                                    </li>                                                    <li>                                                                                                                        Reddit                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        WhatsApp                                                    </li>                            <li>                                                                                                                        E-Mail                                                    </li>                                                            </ul>                                </div>                                                                                                            <div class="flex justify-center items-center">                                            <div class="m1-article-meta_comments m1-article-meta_comments-bottom uppercase md:hover:underline items-center max-w-[320px] w-full comfort-label-large mt-spacing-md-lg justify-center xsmob:gap-spacing-sm-sm text-center inline-flex py-spacing-md-xs px-spacing-md-sm gap-spacing-sm-md rounded-radius-4 text-button-accent-solid-calm-text bg-button-accent-solid-calm-fill/15 cursor-pointer active:scale-95 transition-transform duration-300 ease-linear">                                                                                                                                                                                                    <span class="top-counter-comments-label">GO TO COMMENTS</span>                                                                                                     <div class="article-top-counter">                                                        <span>(</span>                                                        <div class="coral-count coral-coment-button-number"></div>                                                        <span>)</span>                                                    </div>                                                                                            </div>                                        </div>                                                                                                </div>                                                            <div class="tip-us-email-container text-center">                                    <div class="tip-us-email">                                        <span>Got a tip for us? 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<p>Kia is hinting at a new electric halo model, potentially a successor to the Stinger, following the unveiling of the Meta Turismo concept. This model will showcase a new design direction and is expected to be built on a new software-defined platform, Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA). Kia's design chief, Jochen Paesen, suggests that the company is exploring ideas for a more emotional vehicle experience. The upcoming model, possibly named EV8, may be produced at the new Hyundai Metaplant Georgia, which has a capacity for 500,000 vehicles.</p>

- Kia is exploring the development of a sporty electric successor to the Stinger, marking a new design direction for the brand.  
- The recent Vision Meta Turismo concept hints at these plans, although it is not a direct preview of a production model.  
- Trademarked as EV8, the new model is expected to leverage a software-defined platform for improved efficiency, with potential production at the upcoming Hyundai Metaplant Georgia.

Kia Meta Turismo: Could This Be A High-Performance Electric 'Halo' Car?