Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Shopper Electronics Present, lastly giving a (practically) full unveil to the automotive that’s anticipated to go on sale in California in 2026.
Sony has been teasing us with an EV challenge 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 challenge and we thought there was no manner it will occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automotive received the title “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
Right this moment 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 automotive didn’t inform us an entire lot of latest info in comparison with previous years, however it did give us maybe crucial info but: pricing and availability.
The massive information immediately is that the automotive will likely be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations are actually 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 concerning the distinction between these trim ranges, however there’s a brief rundown obtainable on the AFEELA web site. The extra $13k for the Signature trim will get you extra shade selections, rear screens (which you’ll 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 automotive a yr earlier, in “mid 2026,” whereas the Origin collection is simply obtainable in 2027 (surprisingly, the original vehicles won’t have the origin trim).
However we might study extra later, as the location additionally claims that “options might differ.” That is definitely not a full spec sheet, so we’re anticipating to study 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 steerage for drivers by means of its “AFEELA private agent” and digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
One in every of tonight’s demos included Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno displaying off Sony’s “private agent” options by speaking to the automotive by means of his telephone, after which the automotive got here out on stage, and later left stage in the identical method. Final yr, Sony drove the automotive 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 automotive, however no info on how a lot it will price after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to alter” – and given the unfavorable public response that some automotive subscription charges have gotten, we expect there’s an affordable likelihood that change will come.
However there’s yet another catch from immediately’s presentation: thus far, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing loads of firms have finished earlier than, as a result of California is the state with probably the most EVs – and in addition the strictest emissions guidelines.
These strict emissions guidelines require extra EV gross sales than many different states, so firms usually select to promote EVs in California to assist offset the emissions of their different, extra polluting fuel automobiles. This has led to the phrase “compliance automotive,” 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 just lately 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 could 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 may be made on AFEELA’s web site now – when you’re in California.
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