The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is, these days, one of the nerve centers of information on the motor world. This has been the place chosen by Sony Honda Mobility (the company created by two of the largest automobile and technology companies in Japan) to present its latest innovation. It’s not a car, it’s a new gear of electric vehicles: Afeela.
Neither Honda nor Sony have wanted to give many details. Regarding the name of their new brand, Afeela, they explained that it expresses a “feeling of being at the center of mobility.” Adding to this reveal, they unveiled a new prototype that would preview an upcoming production model: yes, it looks similar to the Vision-S prototype.
With a marked aerodynamic design, it measures 4,895 meters long, 1,900 meters wide and 1,460 meters high with a wheelbase of three meters. It is therefore slightly smaller than the Mercedes EQE. Afeela confirmed that The prototype has all-wheel drive, so that implies a dual-motor setup. What they have reserved is their autonomy, although one of the images of the interior shows a range of 377 kilometers with approximately 75-80% charge remaining.
A screen on the front
The Afeela prototype, which has no other besides the brand’s, is a saloon with a clean and minimalist style with as few folds, curves and lines as possible. Front and rear lights are simplified to a horizontal strip that they have baptized as ‘Media Bar’: not only integrates the optical groups, it is also a screen that can display all kinds of information and even be customized.
Of its exterior design, it is also remarkable the two-tone bodywork with a black roof that flows from front to rear, a pronounced beltline, as well asor the 21-inch aero wheels.
Sony’s role
Inside, it follows the minimalist style of the outside. The presence of Sony is evident in the high technological level of the cabin. A large screen spans the entire dashboard, divided into several parts: those corresponding to the digital side mirrors are on the edges, while a large digital instrument cluster is located in front of the driver. To the right is the infotainment system, which feeds into a screen for the front seat passenger. Afeela’s goal is to integrate augmented reality navigation here.
The saloon also has a yoke-style steering wheel and a simple dashboard that is largely devoid of physical buttons. On the floating center console, if there is a rotary dial and a couple of buttons: for the start and for the audio system. The rear row has two screens and an entertainment system without forgetting the ambient lighting of the doors. And all under a huge panoramic roof.
autonomous driving
The Afeela prototype is equipped with multitude of exterior and interior cameras and sensors. Sony Honda Mobility says there are a total of 45 and its goal is to give the vehicle a Level 3 semi-autonomous driving system: the car will therefore be automated in certain scenarios and transfer the task of driving to the driver when necessary. Despite aiming for Tier 3, it will also work on developing Tier 2+ features: the latter may come as standard and the more advanced may be optional.
Afeela will open its order book in the first half of 2025: sales will start that same year and deliveries, if all goes according to plan, will take place in 2026.