Afeela prototype created from EV collaboration between Sony and Honda

Afeela is the latest new EV brand to set its sights on the growing electric car market.

The futuristic car created by a collaboration between electronics giant Sony and car maker Honda is one step closer to a 2026 reality with the reveal of the Afeela prototype.

it is the latest evolution of the Sony-Honda pairing that created the Sony Vision-S concept before the Vision S 02 early in 2022.

Shown at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Afeela melds the tech of the Japanese electronics company with the vehicle manufacturing know-how of a Japanese car maker.

Rather than leveraging the existing Sony and Honda brands – each of which plays in very different spheres – the Sony Honda Mobility Inc has created Afeela as its own EV brand, while also enlisting external digital smarts from Qualcomm and gaming from Epic Games.

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) says it “strives to become a Mobility Tech Company that will pursue innovation in mobility by combining cutting-edge technology and passion along with people who pioneer the future with their creativity, based on our corporate purpose ‘Move people, through the pursuit of innovation with diverse inspirations’.”

The plan is to put the Afeela into production by late 2025 with the view to getting it into North American dealerships in the second quarter of 2026.

Key to the Afeela’s tech promise is the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Digital Chassis by the American company better known for its wireless technology with phones.

The Qualcomm tech provides the digital brains that will be constantly connected and upgradeable throughout the life of the vehicle, suggesting there’s a big focus on software in the Afeela.

While the Afeela prototype looks like any other futuristic motor show one-off, there’s a raft of technology within in a move that suggests it will be about a lot more than how it drives.

It starts with 45 cameras and sensors, including cameras in lieu of exterior mirrors. There’s also augmented reality navigation.

Multiple screens sprawl the width of the dash and the steering wheel does without its upper section for a yoke-like look.

Combined with five-spoke charcoal grey wheels and a minimalist interior they’re one of a number of design elements that appear to borrow inspiration from Tesla.

Outside there is a “media bar” that is part of the Afeela’s intelligent mobility focus designed to communicate with others outside the car.

The Afeela is connected to the cloud, apparently “realising entertainment beyond driving”.

Some of that entertainment will come from Epic Games, which has created arcade games such as Fortnite, God of War and FIFA 23.

Over-the-air software updates will be made through the 5G network.

As for the car itself, details are thin on ground.

There’s no mention of what drives it, other than we know it’s electric motors. Also no mention of range or performance.

It’s clearly a sizeable five-door with a long wheelbase and a sportback-like roofline. And it appears aerodynamic efficiency has been a key part of its exterior design.

Also no word on whether the Afeela will be built with the steering wheel on the right, potentially opening the door to its sale in Australia.

Instead, the driving focus is on not driving at all, with the Afeela aiming for level 2+ driver assistance and level 3 autonomy “under limited conditions”.

None of which are particularly useful; many cars on sale now have level 2 autonomy and level 3 autonomy still relies on the driver being in control.

The Afeela prototype is the latest example of a tech company turning its development smarts to EVs.

Apple has long been linked to an electric car project (the company is yet to officially confirm anything) and Taiwanese-based iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is working on an electric ute.