Kia's Vision Meta Turismo looks special enough on the outside but the gaming-themed interior will blow you away

Unveiled at Milano Design Week, this is the Kia Vision Meta Turismo, halfway between a concept car and a gaming car.

The Vision Meta Turismo is packed with cool Easter eggs inspired by – and dedicated to – gaming.

It even has an entire mode dedicated to it, called ‘Gamer’.

And this is more than just a design exercise.

This four-door SUV tells us where Kia is heading

Milano Design Week is a unique event.

It started as a ‘simple’ furniture trade show but has evolved over the years into a much larger, more diverse event.

Now, automakers also participate and use it to showcase their latest concept cars.

This year, Kia unveiled Vision Meta Turismo.

Visually, we’re looking at a vehicle that’s halfway between an SUV and a sedan, but it also has some elements that remind us of a coupe.

It’s an ultra-futuristic and luxurious four-door electric vehicle designed to promote ‘movement that inspires’, which is Kia’s motto.

In a way, this is a modern interpretation of the Grand Tourer, blending the gaming concepts with the digital age.

The body is also characterized by faceted surfaces that change depending on how light hits them.

Another interesting feature is the way the rear section transitions from flowing curves into a truncated tail designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency and stability.

From the sharp creases on the side to the retro-futuristic three-spoke wheels, this car’s design is unmistakable.

And that’s before you open the doors, because that’ll reveal two extra features you can’t miss: coach doors at the back, and large pillarless frames.

For Kia, this is a declaration of intent, and a way to showcase what they intend to do in the coming years, design-wise.

Kia Vision Meta Turismo is a love letter to gaming

The entire car is dedicated to gaming.

The steering wheel, for example, reminds you of a gaming controller, and the gear stick looks like a joystick.

The interior ‘gamifies’ everything with a lounge-like space inspired by, among other things, 1960s long-distance touring and jets.

The rear-view camera, for example, is housed inside a structure inspired by the canard – a small wing-like projection attached to an aircraft.

It’s an an immersive digital space with two distinct layouts for the driver and passenger.

In addition to the heads-up display, you also have AR goggles you can use while stationary.

This brings us to the three modes that you can select from the steering wheel: Speedster, Dreamer, and Gamer.

With Gamer – only available when the car is in park – the car turns into a giant console.

You can play games while sitting in the cabin which, by the way, is also futuristic.

Instead of using leather and metal, it has plenty of silk and wood.

The Vision Meta Turismo won’t go into production, but you can realistically expect some design cues to be picked up by Kia and used for future models.

In the words of Karim Habib, Head of Kia Global Design, the Vision Meta Turismo ‘shapes the brand’s future vision of mobility’.

“We have created a vehicle that combines the spirit of 1960s long-distance touring with [a modern] digital experience,” Habib said.

Vision Meta Turismo sits within Kia’s long-term design language.

This is where the evolution of the brand’s design has taken them so far, and this is also the starting point for the future.