Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Shopper Electronics Present, lastly giving a (practically) 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 means it will occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automobile received the identify “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
As we speak Sony gave us one other annual replace of its AFEELA car, although centered its keynote much less on it than it has prior to now. The roughly 6 minute phase of its CES keynote devoted to the automobile didn’t inform us a complete lot of recent info in comparison with previous years, however it did give us maybe an important info but: pricing and availability.
The massive information right this moment is that the automobile might be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations are actually 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 far more in regards to 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 shade selections, rear screens (which you’ll be able to 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 sequence is barely accessible 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 mentioned that that may assist them make a car that higher integrates car software program to offer leisure for passengers and steering for drivers by means of its “AFEELA private agent” and digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
Considered one of tonight’s demos included Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno exhibiting off Sony’s “private agent” options by speaking to the automobile by means of 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 could turn into a manufacturing function, merely referring to it as a tech demo.
Sony additionally specified that its “private agent” and autonomous drive options might be subscription-based, with a 3-year “complimentary subscription” included together with the automobile, however no info on how a lot it will price after that. Sony mentioned that that is “topic to alter” – and given the damaging 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: to this point, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing lots of corporations have performed 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 can 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 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 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 absolutely refundable, and will be made on AFEELA’s web site now – in the event you’re in California.
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