In 2022, the two Japanese titans, Sony and Honda, announced their partnership to collaborate on an electric vehicle. Since then, the two have founded a new business called Sony Honda Mobility, and the Afeela is their debut vehicle. Following its baptism at CES last year, an increasingly production-ready version of the EV made its premiere this year.
However, Sony’s on-stage introduction of the vehicle at CES was the highlight of the launch. A Playstation 5 controller was utilized by Sony Honda Mobility President and COO Izumi Kawanishi to “drive” the improved Afeela in front of an audience during the CES event.
The Sony Honda Mobility Afeela may not have a memorable name, but it does seem intriguing. The sleek electric sedan now sports a spoiler lip and a slightly modified front bumper in addition to conventional side mirrors rather than cameras. The pillars appear thicker than on the prototype from the previous year, and the sweptback headlights are shaped more curved than before. There’s a new component sticking out of the bumper and a black piece of trim put above the license plate on the back.
Even more internal alterations have been made to the Afeela since it was first revealed as the Vision-S concept at CES 2020. The cabin, which is dominated by screens, now has two wireless chargers for smartphones, a redesigned steering wheel that resembles a yoke, and a new rearview mirror. Additionally, it appears like a camera monitors the driver’s actions from atop the dashboard.
Technically speaking, the Afeela features a dual-motor configuration that enables all-wheel drive. The 91.0 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack powers the front and back motors, which provide 241 horsepower to the corresponding axles. While AC charging will peak at 11 kW, owners will be able to recharge the battery using DC at up to 150 kW.
Orders for the Afeela will be accepted by the Sony Honda Mobility company when production is expected to begin in 2025. Although the Afeela will not be available for delivery until early 2026 in North America, an update to Gran Turismo 7 will allow you to drive the Afeela virtually this year.