Sony and Honda’s Afeela car outlines its path

Sony and Honda’s electric sedan has undergone a major update that brings it closer to production.

It’s been a while now since Sony has been contemplating an entry into the automotive world. To carry out its project, the electronics giant has created a joint venture with Honda. The two partners showcased their creation at CES in Las Vegas 2023, called Afeela. A year later, it’s back at the same event, but in a version very close to what a mass-produced car might look like.

Visually, the four-door benefits from a redesigned front style. The front bumper has been reworked with a sporty black strip on the lower grille. More prominent than before, the face features a luminous badge, a full-width LED bar, and enveloping headlights.

Counter to current trends, the Afeela has replaced its side-view cameras with traditional mirrors. The roof pillars have thickened, indicating the integration of safety structures. At the rear, the Afeela features a more substantial bumper and an active spoiler in the trunk.

Naturally, Sony is expected to equip the vehicle with top-tier technology. There’s no PlayStation 5 controller for steering, even though the device was used to guide the car onto the presentation stage. Make no mistake, the Afeela isn’t a PlayStation on wheels!

Artificial intelligence will play a major role in the famed ADAS, these vital driving assistance systems. Image recognition will support trajectory planning and all safety devices. The entire system will be managed by a high-performance Qualcomm chip.

In terms of entertainment, Sony Honda Mobility has partnered with Epic Games to embed interactive screens throughout the vehicle! The system aims to interact with the external environment to offer a unique experience to date.

For reference, the Afeela is equipped with two 180 kW motors for a combined power of 482 horsepower. A 91 kWh lithium-ion battery is mentioned, but no confirmation or information regarding range is provided. Technology advances rapidly, so why not give it a little more time. See you in a year, same place, same show, to discover the final version!