Proper now, China’s electrical car sector is delivering a era of latest vehicles so high-tech that they make a few of the finest rides in America appear like no matter hooptie you drove in highschool. They’re electrical, stuffed with screens and software program options, and linked. Right here’s a fantastic instance: the Xiaomi SU7, the primary EV from the smartphone big, which set China on hearth with its high-tech and modern design and bought 135,000 models in its first full yr.
It’s clear that if Japan, Europe, and the U.S. need to compete, firms might want to workforce up and construct the sorts of high-tech autos China already has—and quick. That’s precisely what Sony and Honda purpose to do with their new luxury-tech EV model, Afeela. Underneath a three way partnership often known as Sony-Honda Mobility, the Afeela model plans to launch its first automotive, a $60,000 luxurious sedan, in 2026.
You might acknowledge this idea—Sony and Honda debuted it at CES 2024, with buyer orders set to open this yr. Afeela has additionally promised an SUV and a less expensive mannequin down the road. And an up to date model of the prototype is set to debut at CES 2025 this night.
Forward of that occasion, InsideEVs was invited to take a look at a prototype of that first mannequin in New York, and I used to be curious to get a take a look at it: Did it work? Is that this strategy to EVs one thing People might be concerned with, and may the 2 firms truly convey it to fruition?
At first look, the Afeela seems just like the generic-drug equal of a Lucid Air, or maybe a contemporary incarnation of a Saab 9-5. Both manner, it’s modern and inoffensive. However inside is the place issues get thrilling. Up entrance, a curved, high-res show stretches from one side-view mirror to the opposite (in some markets, the Afeela received’t have mirrors in any respect, simply cameras.) You’ll be able to drag and drop maps, music menus, films, and video games from one aspect to a different, and the front-seat passenger can watch a film with out glare distracting the motive force. In fact, there are Sony tablets mounted to the seatbacks in order that passengers within the surprisingly spacious again seat can preserve themselves entertained, too.
Earlier than anybody asks: Sure, you may play Fortnite within the Afeela, however solely when the automotive is stopped. The consultant couldn’t inform me whether or not gameplay required a close-by wi-fi connection to a PS5 (driveway at residence) or whether or not a extra distant connection was potential (workplace car parking zone throughout a lunch break), however I’d need to think about it’s the latter. That turned a theme: I’d ask for particulars on a characteristic, and would obtain a solution of “keep tuned.”
Nowadays, Sony might not carry fairly the high-tech smartphone model cachet of an Apple—or a Xiaomi—however its gadgets have undeniably modified realms of private leisure. The Walkman turned bringing music with you right into a pocket-sized proposition, whereas the PlayStation remains to be probably the most profitable line of gaming consoles ever produced. Pair that shopper intuition with Honda’s engineering may and Sony’s veritable treasure trove of a content material library, and issues get promising.
Constructing vehicles is difficult, particularly in at this time’s panorama of unsure tariffs. Afeela clearly has a methods to go earlier than the rubber meets the street. I’m rooting for Sony and Honda although, as a result of this idea reveals a real intent to compete with China in methods nobody else has.
Try the complete video above for extra on the Afeela’s tech. Do you suppose it may succeed right here?
