Sony Car (Afeela): News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors

At CES 2023, Sony and Honda gave a name to their joint Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) electric vehicle venture: Afeela. This new electric vehicle (EV) brand is moving ever closer beyond concept to debuting its first EV sedan, which will draw on Sony’s and numerous other partners’ gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), and entertainment prowess. Here’s what we know about the forthcoming Sony car (Afeela).

When Will the Sony Car (Afeela) Be Released?

When Sony and Honda announced their plans for an EV, they also suggested a 2026 release. Plans look on track to bring the Afeela to market in North America first sometime in 2026. 

Orders will be taken in the first half of next year, potentially allowing US drivers to be behind the wheel by spring 2026.

Sony Car (Afeela) Price Rumors

According to The Verge's early reporting, the Afeela’s pricing will match competitors in the luxury vehicle space, like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Porsche, including possible subscription models to some of its services. But competition with and resemblance to the Tesla, specifically the Tesla Model S, feels pretty undeniable. Some even see similarities to models such as the Porsche 911.

Trim levels and exact offerings are yet unknown, but Car and Driver estimates the Afeela will be $45,000. On the other hand, Nikkei Asia reports that the Afeela EV sedan will likely hover above 10 million yen, which is the equivalent of about $66,143.

As concept-to-production details take shape, we expect to hear more rumors about pricing, so stay tuned.

Pre-Order Information

Sony Car pre-ordering looks like it will start in the first few months of 2025.  All signs point to US orders first, followed by pre-orders and debuts in the Japanese and European markets. 

We’ll make updates here as we learn more.

Sony Car (Afeela) Features

The Sony car has been a concept for a while, but with the updated prototype unveiled at CES 2024 and recent announcements about collaborations with the likes of Microsoft and Epic Games, the expected feature set is starting to take shape in the production-ready model.

Here’s what we’ve seen in the mix from Sony Honda Mobility:

• Customizable Media Bar: One distinctive exterior highlight is the Media Bar, a thin display between the headlights, which serves as a sort of self-expression and communication tool. Some of its tricks include charging indicator levels and displaying digital stickers.
• Built-in Microsoft AI assistant: The Afeela will get a personal assistant using  Microsoft Azure OpenAI. This assistant, dubbed the Mobility Personal Agent, is part of the company’s vision for an “advanced voice-enabled system that delivers seamless communication with natural language and conversation-like interactions.”
• Immersive infotainment with a gaming bent: The Afeela will be like a moving movie theater with infotainment screens throughout, movie and music choices for passengers, and a noise-canceling, spatial audio sound system. SHM has also announced it’s working with Epic Games and its Unreal Engine, the power behind Fortnite, to develop an immersive augmented reality (AR) experience. This feature will look like 3D views of the road from any angle but also offer a gamified view of real-life objects.

Another key SHM partnership is with Polyphony Digital, which came to life when the Afeela prototype became available in the racing simulation game Gran Turismo 7 with an April patch. MotorTrend speculates that the game dimensions indicate the real-life figures, similar to a 2024 Honda Accord. 

The game version of the Sony Car also allows users to play PlayStation games on the in-cabin infotainment system via Remote Play. 

How much more actual integrated gaming will be possible in the real Aleefa is still unknown and something we’ll be on the lookout for.

Sony Car (Afeela) Specs and Hardware

The 2024 Sony car prototype offers some clues about the production model's specs. 

• Dimensions: 193.5 x 74.8 x 57.4 inches
• Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
• Motors: Two 1889kW
• Battery: 91kWh lithium-ion
• Charging: 150kW DC, 11kW AC

As for hardware, we know that SHM is working closely with Qualcomm Technologies to develop Level 3 autonomous driving for the Afeela, but Level 2 and Level 2+ driving assistance for city driving looks to be a sure thing.

On the safety and mobility fronts, we also know that the Sony car will use 45 cameras and sensors for a full-picture traffic view, sense when drivers approach the vehicle and open the door automatically, and self-park after the driver exits.

Check back for updates about the Sony car release date and more features and specs chatter. 

The Latest News About the Sony Car (Afeela)

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