Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Shopper Electronics Present, lastly giving a (almost) full unveil to the automobile that’s anticipated to go on sale in California in 2026.
Sony has been teasing us with an EV undertaking 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 undertaking and we thought there was no method it might occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automobile acquired the title “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
Immediately Sony gave us one other annual replace of its AFEELA car, although centered its keynote much less on it than it has previously. The roughly 6 minute phase of its CES keynote devoted to the automobile didn’t inform us a complete lot of latest data in comparison with previous years, nevertheless it did give us maybe an important data but: pricing and availability.
The large information right now is that the automobile will likely be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations at the moment are 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 brief rundown accessible on the AFEELA web site. The extra $13k for the Signature trim will get you extra coloration decisions, rear screens (which you’ll be able to see in our hands-on of the car prototype), a digital camera 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 collection is just accessible in 2027 (unusually, the original vehicles won’t have the origin trim).
However we could be taught extra later, as the location additionally claims that “options could differ.” That is definitely 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 can assist them make a car that higher integrates car software program to supply leisure for passengers and steerage for drivers by 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 his telephone, 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 may turn into a manufacturing characteristic, 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 data on how a lot it might value after that. Sony stated 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 yet one more catch from right now’s presentation: thus far, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing lots of firms have executed 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 firms typically select to promote EVs in California to assist offset the emissions of their different, extra polluting gasoline 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 rules than on being a severe 50-state effort by an automaker.
Whereas Sony doesn’t have any emissions to offset, Honda does. Honda solely not too long ago began promoting EVs within the US with the Prologue, which is promoting fairly effectively throughout many states, not simply California.
So, it’s a bit bizarre that both of those firms would focus solely on California, because it doesn’t seem to be 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 totally refundable, and might be made on AFEELA’s web site now – when you’re in California.
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