Sony and Honda showcased a brand-new electric vehicle concept dubbed ‘Afeela’ during Sony’s presentation at CES in Las Vegas on Wednesday in a joint mobility venture. The nameplate is the joint venture’s first electric vehicle that will sold in North America in 2026.
The EV features a sleek body and a completely dark rooftop. The “Snapdragon” digital chassis from Qualcomm will power the vehicle.
The CEO of Sony Honda Mobility, Yasuhide Mizuno, claimed the vehicle will depend on Sony’s expertise in artificial intelligence, entertainment, virtual reality, and augmented reality to deliver a distinctive EV.
“Afeela represents our concept of an interactive relationship where people feel the sensation of interactive mobility,” Mizuno said
A total of over 40 sensors, including cameras, radar, ultrasonic, and lidar, will integrate into the outside of the vehicle to improve its capacity for object detection and self-driving. Angela will make an effort to exemplify the three key concepts of autonomy, augmentation, and affinity claims Mizuno.
The manufacturer emphasized that Afeela will compete with high-end EVs in terms of pricing, performance, and technology.
The concept that Sony initially introduced at CES three years ago was not much like the prototype that displayed on stage. Instead, it was a sedan with a high-gloss black roof, a light bar across the front, and an enclosed bonnet. Some of the more intriguing external elements included black hubcaps and a light accent over the wheel arches. The Afeela prototype compared by several onlookers as a cross between the Porsche 911 and the Lucid Air.
The new EV will be designed to rival models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, and Audi as well as other luxury carmakers. According to Sony, its software will probably provide subscription services, meaning car owners would probably have to pay a monthly charge to access particular functions.
