Sony-Honda Afeela Sedan: A Playstation on Wheels
We checked the 2024 prototype. Pre-orders are expected to open in 2025, with deliveries starting in early 2026
August 30, 2024
When the Apple car project seemed to fizzle out like yesterday's news, our dreams of a game-changing vehicle from a consumer electronics tech giant dimmed just a bit. Sony, on the other hand, has been teasing us for years with prototypes like the Vision-S, but let's be honest—going from flashy concept to a mass-produced marvel is a journey longer than a Monday morning commute.
Enter 2023, and Sony teams up with Honda in a joint venture that finally feels like it’s putting rubber to the road. And the result? The Afeela Sedan EV—a name that practically begs you to feel something, if not outright excitement.
So far, the prototype checks all the boxes for a sleek, futuristic ride. Imagine a minimalist design with a clean, aerodynamic silhouette that’s all sharp lines and curves, wrapped up with a bow of illuminated light bars at both ends. The front says "cutting-edge tech" with a wide, glowing band across its face, while the rear echoes the same vibe, proudly sporting the Sony logo as if to say, "Yes, this is happening." The Afeela’s large, sporty wheels give it an aggressive stance that’s more "let’s race" than "let’s cruise." While they’re keeping mum on most of the mechanical details, we do know this much: it’s powered by a battery-electric powertrain, so it's as green as it is mean.
The main reason Sony-Honda Mobility rolled out this prototype is simple: to give future customers a taste of what cruising in this tech marvel should feel like. And boy, does it promise to deliver. The interior’s minimalist design is all about sleekness and simplicity, with clean lines, clutter-free surfaces, and a laser focus on functionality. Front and center is a high-resolution panoramic screen that stretches across the dashboard, acting as the nerve center for just about everything the car can do. And in a nod to the cool kids at Tesla, the traditional steering wheel has been swapped out for a yoke-style version that screams "futuristic."
The ambient lighting? Soft, customizable, and designed to make you feel like you’re in a luxury lounge rather than a car. Pair that with the cabin’s multiple speakers delivering a sound experience that’s practically cinematic, and you’re set for an audio-visual treat.
But that’s not all—this car turns the daily drive into a full-on entertainment extravaganza. Think movies, music, games—your own personal road trip arcade. Each rear-seat passenger gets their own dedicated screen, perfect for diving into their own world or teaming up for a fully integrated gaming experience. And yes, we’re imagining a future where all passengers could squad up for a Fortnite battle while on the move. Who needs a console when you’ve got the Afeela?
One of the key takeaways from this concept is that the best driving experience isn’t just for passengers—drivers should get in on the fun too. That’s why Sony-Honda is putting serious muscle behind Advanced Driving Assistance. They're teaming up with Qualcomm to bring top-tier silicon semiconductors into the mix, aiming for Level 2/2+ driving assistance, and even hitting Level 3 under the right conditions. But they’re not stopping there—Microsoft is also on board, helping to develop the Mobility Personal Assistant, a conversational agent powered by Azure’s OpenAI Service. Think of it as your digital co-pilot that’s as chatty as it is helpful.
The Afeela Sedan EV from Sony-Honda Mobility could very well be a game-changer, blending Sony’s tech brilliance with Honda’s automotive expertise. This isn’t just another EV; it’s a glimpse into the future of driving, where cutting-edge tech meets sleek design. But here’s the most important part: let’s see if Sony-Honda sticks to the plan—pre-orders start in 2025, with deliveries in early 2026. We’ll be watching!
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