Sony Honda Mobility has launched its AFEELA 1 EV on the Client Electronics Present, lastly giving a full unveil to the automotive that’s anticipated to go on sale in California in 2026.
Sony has been teasing us with an EV venture 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 venture and we thought there was no method it could occur… however later Sony partnered with Honda, then the automotive acquired the title “AFEELA” in 2023, and a 2026 launch date.
At present Sony gave us one other annual replace of its AFEELA automobile, although targeted its keynote much less on it than it has previously. The roughly 6 minute phase of its CES keynote devoted to the automotive didn’t inform us a complete lot of latest info in comparison with previous years, but it surely did give us maybe crucial info but: pricing and availability.
The massive information in the present day is that the automotive 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 rather more in regards to 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 colour decisions, rear screens (which you’ll be able to see in our hands-on of the automobile prototype), a digital camera rear-view mirror, and bigger wheels.
However, maybe extra importantly, it additionally will get you the automotive a 12 months earlier, in “mid 2026,” whereas the Origin collection is just obtainable in 2027 (surprisingly, the original automobiles won’t have the origin trim).
However we might study extra later, as the positioning additionally claims that “options might differ.” That is actually 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 can assist them make a automobile that higher integrates automobile software program to supply leisure for passengers and steering for drivers by its “AFEELA private agent” and although digital drivers aids (and 45 sensors for potential autonomous driving duties).
At present’s announcement specified that the “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 could price after that. Sony stated that that is “topic to vary” – and given the adverse public response that some automotive subscription charges have gotten, we expect there’s an inexpensive likelihood that change will come.
However there’s yet another catch from in the present day’s presentation: to this point, reservations are solely open in California.
That is one thing plenty of corporations 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 corporations typically select to promote EVs in California to assist offset the emissions of their different, extra polluting gasoline automobiles. This has led to the phrase “compliance automotive,” referring to compliance with California’s EV guidelines, to explain automobiles which can be targeted extra on assembly laws than on being a critical 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 nicely throughout many states, not simply California.
So, it’s a bit bizarre that both of those corporations 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 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 may be made on AFEELA’s web site now – should you’re in California.
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