Sony is getting into the car business. After a first prototype presented in 2020, the Japanese group has just presented a new one at CES 2023, with a clearer strategy on the launch of a first model.
Sony’s automotive vision
The opportunity also to reveal the name of the common brand between Sony and Honda, a compatriot, a historical player in the automotive industry and, therefore, an ally of the electronics giant in this project. It will therefore be “Afeela”, with a highly advanced prototype, as presented this Wednesday in Las Vegas by Yasuhide Mizuno, president of Sony Honda Mobility.
On the program a large 100% electric saloon of almost 4.90 meters, although the brand does not yet speak of battery, autonomy or even power.
On the screen visible in the official photos, we only see a remaining autonomy of 376 kilometers, with a battery started at around 80%, so we can expect a maximum autonomy of around 470 kilometers.
A Playstation 5 on wheels?
With many sensors and a Lidar placed on the upper part of the windshield, as in the Nio ET7, Afeela is very committed to its future autonomous driving functions, wanting to offer level 3 as Mercedes does today on some sections of roads and under certain conditions. conditions in Germany.
What to be able to offer embedded services, and why not videogames? A point on which we can have high expectations from the manufacturer of the Playstation. In the delegation of driving, with hands more necessarily behind the wheel and the possibility of doing something else, or simply during recharging times, car brands are now seeking to offer more and more entertainment functions.
However, there is no concrete announcement at this level to see if we can carry an optional Playstation 5 in the vehicle. The “Horizon Zero Dawn” game footage broadcast on the prototype’s screens during the press conference, in any case, hints at this Honda-Sony’s ambitions in this area, as well as confirmed partnerships with American processor giant Qualcomm and the editorial. epic games.
“We want to provide the best entertainment experience for our customers,” said Yasuhide Mizuno.
In fact, it’s at this point that we particularly expect a video game player like Sony, with a large screen slab running the length of the dash, between two camera mirrors. And two screens behind the seats
Also note the steering wheel, cut in half, reminiscent of the new Yoke steering wheel introduced by Tesla on its latest Model S and Model X Plaid. The American manufacturer is also at the forefront of these new on-board entertainment.
It will be necessary to continue, therefore, with what will be the final version of this first Afeela. The brand intends to start pre-orders in early 2025 and plans first deliveries in North America starting in 2026.
Source: BFM TV
