Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Client Electronics Present, lastly giving a (almost) full unveil to the automobile 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 approach it might occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automobile acquired the title “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
At this time Sony gave us one other annual replace of its AFEELA car, although targeted its keynote much less on it than it has prior to now. The roughly 6 minute section of its CES keynote devoted to the automobile didn’t inform us a complete lot of latest info in comparison with previous years, nevertheless it did give us maybe crucial info but: pricing and availability.
The large information right this moment is that the automobile will likely be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations at the moment are open at $200 a pop, with a base value of $89,900 for the “Origin” trim, and $102,900 for the “Signature” trim.
Sony didn’t inform us way more concerning the distinction between these trim ranges, however there’s a quick rundown accessible on the AFEELA web site. The extra $13k for the Signature trim will get you extra colour decisions, rear screens (which you’ll see in our hands-on of the car prototype), a digicam rear-view mirror, and bigger wheels.
However, maybe extra importantly, it additionally will get you the automobile a yr earlier, in “mid 2026,” whereas the Origin collection is just accessible in 2027 (surprisingly, the original vehicles is not going to have the origin trim).
However we could study extra later, as the positioning additionally claims that “options could range.” That is actually 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 may assist them make a car that higher integrates car software program to offer leisure for passengers and steering 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 automobile via his telephone, after which the automobile got here out on stage, and later left stage in the identical method. Final yr, Sony drove the automobile on stage with a PS5 controller. Sony didn’t promise that this might change into a manufacturing characteristic, merely referring to it as a tech demo.
Sony additionally specified that its “private agent” and autonomous drive options will likely be subscription-based, with a 3-year “complimentary subscription” included together with the automobile, however no info on how a lot it might price after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to vary” – and given the unfavourable public response that some automobile subscription charges have gotten, we predict there’s an affordable likelihood that change will come.
However there’s another catch from right this moment’s presentation: thus far, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing a whole lot of corporations have executed earlier than, as a result of California is the state with probably the most EVs – and in addition 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 fuel autos. This has led to the phrase “compliance automobile,” referring to compliance with California’s EV guidelines, to explain vehicles which are targeted 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 lately began promoting EVs within the US with the Prologue, which is promoting fairly properly 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 look like both of them have to fret about compliance. We reached out to determine what the timeline can 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 may be made on AFEELA’s web site now – if you happen to’re in California.
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