Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Client 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 approach it might occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automobile obtained the title “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 up to now. The roughly 6 minute section of its CES keynote devoted to the automobile didn’t inform us a complete lot of recent info in comparison with previous years, nevertheless it did give us maybe a very powerful info but: pricing and availability.
The massive information at the moment is that the automobile will likely be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations are actually open at $200 a pop, with a base worth of $89,900 for the “Origin” trim, and $102,900 for the “Signature” trim.
Sony didn’t inform us way more concerning the distinction between these trim ranges, however there’s a quick rundown out there on the AFEELA web site. The extra $13k for the Signature trim will get you extra shade decisions, 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 12 months earlier, in “mid 2026,” whereas the Origin sequence is barely out there in 2027 (unusually, the original automobiles is not going to have the origin trim).
However we could be taught extra later, as the location additionally claims that “options could fluctuate.” That is actually not a full spec sheet, so we’re anticipating to be taught extra as time goes on.
In earlier keynotes, Sony has touted its experience in software program and leisure and stated that that may assist them make a car that higher integrates car software program to supply leisure for passengers and steering for drivers via its “AFEELA private agent” and digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
Certainly one of tonight’s demos included Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno displaying off Sony’s “private agent” options by speaking to the automobile via his cellphone, after which the automobile got here out on stage, and later left stage in the identical method. Final 12 months, Sony drove the automobile on stage with a PS5 controller. Sony didn’t promise that this could develop into a manufacturing function, merely referring to it as a tech demo.
Sony additionally specified that its “private agent” and autonomous drive options will likely be subscription-based, with a 3-year “complimentary subscription” included together with the automobile, however no info on how a lot it might value after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to vary” – and given the detrimental public response that some automobile subscription charges have gotten, we expect there’s an affordable likelihood that change will come.
However there’s yet another catch from at the moment’s presentation: thus far, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing quite a lot of corporations have completed earlier than, as a result of California is the state with probably the most EVs – and likewise 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 automobiles which can be centered extra on assembly rules than on being a critical 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 nicely 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 look like both of them have to fret about compliance. We reached out to determine what the timeline can 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 may be made on AFEELA’s web site now – in case you’re in California.
Cost your electrical car at dwelling utilizing rooftop photo voltaic panels. Discover a dependable and competitively priced photo voltaic installer close to you on EnergySage, totally free. They’ve pre-vetted installers competing for your small business, making certain high-quality options and 20-30% financial savings. It’s free, with no gross sales calls till you select an installer. Evaluate personalised photo voltaic quotes on-line and obtain steering from unbiased Power Advisers. Get began right here. – advert*
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
