Sony Honda Mobility Shows Off Near-Production Afeela EV
It certainly seemed like the fabled Honda-Sony EV would stay a rumor, but the pair announced a formal joint venture in 2022 that put the speculation to rest. Sony Honda Mobility unveiled its Afeela EV in early 2023, and at this year’s CES, the car rolled on stage, driven by a Playstation 5 controller.
The near-production prototype now features more road-ready features, like reshaped bumpers, traditional side mirrors, and updated headlights. Orders will open in 2025, around the time that production is set to start. Deliveries won’t start in North America until 2026, however, so it will be a while before they’re seen on the road.
Two electric motors provide motivation for the car, with a 241-horsepower motor on each axle. The 91-kWh battery can charge at up to 150 kilowatts, but we don’t have range estimates yet. Sony’s handling the in-car tech experience, which will include a panoramic display panel on the dash. The early prototype photos showed displays for the exterior camera mirrors, but we haven’t seen an updated interior shot now that the car has traditional side mirrors.
The Afeela is one of what could become several partnership-driven EVs for Honda. Its work with GM yielded the Prologue SUV, which rolls out later this year, though the automaker ditched plans to work with GM again to develop cheaper models.
[Image: Sony Honda Mobility]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Another alternative that I'm looking forward to. Definitely not considering trading in my Bolt until I see who has the Tesla connector and Supercharger availability. 2024 is probably going to be a fairly dead year for non-Tesla EV's because we're still talking CCS charging. Not that it's bad, but then the local Electrify America station is completely down. And it's one of the largest charge points in the Richmond area.
It looks like a Toyota Camry. Afeela ugh what a name. WTF. Why not call it SOHO for the joint venture? or a Greek god/goddess, or a Japenese God/goddess?
"Afeela" may be the worst name ever attached to a car, and that includes Bongo Friendee, Minica Lettuce, and Bipper Tepee.
Quick, name three things that Honda excels at (right now, today).