Kia Preparing Flagship Electric Halo Model, May Revive Stinger Name or Launch as EV7

• Kia previewed flagship EV with Meta Turismo design; may launch as EV7, EV8, or Stinger successor.

• Concept highlights future design and user experience under “Opposites United” design theme.

• EV model expansion continues after three years of record global sales for the Korean automaker.

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Kia is preparing a new electric flagship vehicle, previewed by the Vision Meta Turismo concept last December, which could carry forward the Stinger name or be launched as the EV7 or EV8.

The South Korean automaker confirmed development of the upcoming halo EV, designed to showcase the brand’s future design, performance, and technology. Jochen Paesen, Kia’s head of advanced design, said the Meta Turismo is more than a styling exercise, calling it “a great project” and an internal study that found its way into the public domain.

The concept, unveiled during Kia’s 80th anniversary, pays homage to long-distance grand touring with a minimalist, technology-driven approach. Paesen described the vehicle as an exploration of how to create emotional engagement with performance in a digital context.

While Kia has not disclosed final production plans or specifications, the model is expected to carry over many design elements seen in the Meta Turismo. Past Kia EVs, including the EV9 and EV6, have remained close to their concept previews.

The new model’s naming remains undecided. Kia has filed trademarks for EV7 and EV8, continuing its numeric EV naming system from EV1 through EV9. However, the automaker has also left the door open to reviving the “Stinger” badge, last used on its rear-wheel-drive performance sedan launched in 2017. Though it would be a departure from its current naming trend, the Stinger name would be fitting as it would take on the likes of Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air.

The Stinger GT served as the brand’s halo offering, showcasing Kia’s design and engineering ambitions with a twin-turbocharged V6, a luxurious interior, and better-than-expected driving dynamics for a car of its size. The new EV is expected to carry forward that mission, this time with fully electric propulsion.

Kia’s electric portfolio now includes entry-level (EV2), compact (EV3 and EV4), midsize (EV5 and EV6), and full-size (EV9) models, as well as performance-oriented “GT” versions of select models. The upcoming flagship would fit nicely in this lineup while introducing a new standard for design and digital user experience.

Paesen highlighted how performance is perceived, especially among consumers accustomed to digital environments. He noted the design goal is “less screens, a richer experience,” with a focus on core brand values expressed through emotional, yet functional, forms.

Kia has not confirmed a timeline for the production version of the new halo model.

Source: autoexpress