Sony-Honda's Afeela EV Inches Closer to Production: Updated Prototype Showcased at CES 2024

• Enhanced front design, sleek headlamps.

• Subtle changes to steering wheel, rearview mirror.

• Driven with PS5 controller, emphasizing software-defined nature.

• All-wheel-drive, 482 bhp combined output & 91 kWh battery, supports 150 kW DC fast charger.

• Production proximity, market launch expected 2026.

Sony-Honda Mobility, the collaborative effort between technology giant Sony and the Japanese automaker Honda, unveiled an updated prototype of their Afeela electric sedan at CES 2024. The latest renewal showcased design enhancements, signaling the EV's proximity to production, with a market launch anticipated in 2026.

Design Evolution

The updated prototype boasts of some noticeable design changes, including an enhanced front bumper, a distinctive protruding nose housing a digital display, and sleek headlamps beneath an illuminated strip. Thicker pillars and traditional side mirrors contribute to the refreshed look, while the rear bumper and taillights are also expected to undergo updates. The sedan's dimensions have also grown, measuring 4,915 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm.

Interior Tweaks

While the cabin retains much of its previous prototype's layout, a revised center console now features a dual wireless smartphone charger. Other interior elements include a subtly redesigned steering wheel and a new rearview mirror.

Afeela Electric Sedan Driven by PS5 Controller

In a surprising showcase of the in-car software experience at CES 2024, Sony Honda Mobility's CEO, Yasuhide Mizuno, demonstrated the Afeela electric sedan being driven onto the stage using a PS5 controller. This intriguing feature highlighted the car's software-defined nature.

Powertrain Details

The Afeela electric sedan is equipped with two electric motors, enabling an all-wheel-drive system. With motors fitted to the front and rear axles, the car delivers a combined output of up to 482 bhp, with each motor capable of producing 241 bhp peak power. Powering these motors is a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. While specific powertrain details are yet to be fully disclosed, Sony Honda Mobility has confirmed the EV will support a 150 kW DC fast charger and an 11 kW Level 2 charging capacity.

Also Read: Volkswagen Unveils ChatGPT Integration: A New Era of Intelligent Driving Begins

Verdict

As the Afeela electric sedan inches closer to production, Sony-Honda's collaboration continues to push the boundaries of innovation in the electric vehicle market. The showcased updates at CES 2024 not only provide a glimpse of the sedan's refined design but also underline its cutting-edge features, including the unique use of a PS5 controller for driving demonstrations. The official release of Afeela is anticipated to be in 2026, marking a significant step in the evolution of electric mobility.