Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Client Electronics Present, lastly giving a (practically) full unveil to the automotive that’s anticipated to go on sale in California in 2026.
Sony has been teasing us with an EV venture for years now, beginning again in 2020 with a shock unveil at its CES keynote. On the time, it was known as the VISION-S venture and we thought there was no method it could occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automotive acquired the identify “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
At this time Sony gave us one other annual replace of its AFEELA automobile, although centered its keynote much less on it than it has previously. The roughly 6 minute section of its CES keynote devoted to the automotive didn’t inform us an entire lot of latest data in comparison with previous years, but it surely did give us maybe crucial data but: pricing and availability.
The massive information right this moment is that the automotive shall be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations at the moment are open at $200 a pop, with a base worth of $89,900 for the “Origin” trim, and $102,900 for the “Signature” trim.
Sony didn’t inform us far more in regards to the distinction between these trim ranges, however there’s a quick rundown out there on the AFEELA web site. The extra $13k for the Signature trim will get you extra shade decisions, rear screens (which you’ll be able to see in our hands-on of the automobile prototype), a digital camera rear-view mirror, and bigger wheels.
However, maybe extra importantly, it additionally will get you the automotive a 12 months earlier, in “mid 2026,” whereas the Origin sequence is simply out there in 2027 (unusually, the original vehicles won’t have the origin trim).
However we could study extra later, as the location additionally claims that “options could range.” That is definitely not a full spec sheet, so we’re anticipating to study extra as time goes on.
In earlier keynotes, Sony has touted its experience in software program and leisure and stated that that can assist them make a automobile that higher integrates automobile software program to offer leisure for passengers and steerage for drivers via its “AFEELA private agent” and digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
One in all tonight’s demos included Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno exhibiting off Sony’s “private agent” options by speaking to the automotive via his cellphone, after which the automotive got here out on stage, and later left stage in the identical method. Final 12 months, Sony drove the automotive on stage with a PS5 controller. Sony didn’t promise that this is able to turn into a manufacturing characteristic, merely referring to it as a tech demo.
Sony additionally specified that its “private agent” and autonomous drive options shall be subscription-based, with a 3-year “complimentary subscription” included together with the automotive, however no data on how a lot it could value after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to alter” – and given the unfavorable public response that some automotive subscription charges have gotten, we predict there’s an inexpensive probability that change will come.
However there’s yet another catch from right this moment’s presentation: thus far, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing plenty of corporations have finished earlier than, as a result of California is the state with essentially the most EVs – and likewise the strictest emissions guidelines.
These strict emissions guidelines require extra EV gross sales than many different states, so corporations typically select to promote EVs in California to assist offset the emissions of their different, extra polluting gasoline automobiles. This has led to the phrase “compliance automotive,” referring to compliance with California’s EV guidelines, to explain vehicles which might be centered extra on assembly laws than on being a severe 50-state effort by an automaker.
Whereas Sony doesn’t have any emissions to offset, Honda does. Honda solely just lately began promoting EVs within the US with the Prologue, which is promoting fairly effectively throughout many states, not simply California.
So, it’s a bit bizarre that both of those corporations would focus solely on California, because it doesn’t appear to be both of them have to fret about compliance. We reached out to determine what the timeline could be for different states, and can replace you if we discover out something new.
Reservations for the AFEELA 1 are $200 and totally refundable, and will be made on AFEELA’s web site now – in the event you’re in California.
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