Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Shopper 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 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 will occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automobile acquired the identify “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
At the 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 phase of its CES keynote devoted to the automobile didn’t inform us a complete lot of latest info in comparison with previous years, however it did give us maybe crucial info but: pricing and availability.
The massive information in the present day is that the automobile will probably be known as the AFEELA 1, and reservations at the moment are 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 far more in regards to 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 coloration selections, 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 just 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 differ.” 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 can assist them make a car that higher integrates car software program to supply leisure for passengers and steering for drivers by way of its “AFEELA private agent” and digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
One in all tonight’s demos included Sony Honda Mobility CEO Yasuhide Mizuno displaying off Sony’s “private agent” options by speaking to the automobile by way of 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 could turn out to be a manufacturing function, merely referring to it as a tech demo.
Sony additionally specified that its “private agent” and autonomous drive options will probably be subscription-based, with a 3-year “complimentary subscription” included together with the automobile, however no info on how a lot it will price after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to alter” – and given the adverse public response that some automobile subscription charges have gotten, we predict there’s an inexpensive probability that change will come.
However there’s yet one more catch from in the present day’s presentation: to date, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing numerous firms have accomplished 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 usually 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 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 appear 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 absolutely refundable, and might be made on AFEELA’s web site now – for those who’re in California.
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