A Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture created from the union of efforts between Sony and Honda, took advantage of its presence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA, to showcase an updated version of the Afeela prototype, a 100% electric sedan that is expected to hit the market in 2026.
The new prototype has been revised in terms of design and now features a front section that incorporates a new bumper and a luminous signature marked by a narrow communication light strip (media bar) capable of interacting with pedestrians, linking the two headlights.
From the side, the Sony Honda Mobility’s 100% electric model is equipped with traditional rearview mirrors, unlike the first prototype, which was equipped with slim cameras. In the rear, the revised bumper and the taillights, which are connected by a thin light strip that crosses the trunk, stand out.
In addition to the various design revisions, the Afeela prototype has also emerged with a new dimension compared to its predecessor, now measuring 4915 mm in length, 20 mm more than the predecessor, while maintaining the other dimensions: 1900 mm in width, 1460 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3000 mm.
Inside, the highlight is the yoke-type steering wheel and a dashboard that occupies the entire dashboard. In addition, in terms of technology, the Afeela will have a state-of-the-art infotainment system, with Qualcomm responsible for the Snapdragon chips and Epic Games for the Unreal Engine graphical interface, for the creation of new solutions.
Sony Honda Mobility also announced that the 100% electric model will have a voice assistant based on Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI software, which according to the brand, will provide “continuous communication with natural language and conversation-like interactions”.
In terms of powertrain, the Afeela uses two electric motors, one per axle, which deliver 245 hp each, powered by a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery. However, the battery’s range has not been revealed.
The Japanese brand has announced that reservations for the Afeela will open in 2025, when production is scheduled to begin. In the meantime, the fully electric model will soon be able to be driven in the video game Gran Turismo 7.
An interesting note in the presentation of the Afeela prototype at CES was its entrance on stage, with Sony Honda Mobility CEO Izumi Kawanishi remotely driving the vehicle using a PlayStation DualSense controller, which surprised the audience.
“This remote driving demonstration is only for showcasing the Afeela’s technology. However, we believe that the software can define new functions and values, and our goal is to redefine the relationship between people and mobility,” said Izumi Kawanishi.
