Sony and Honda show off handsome 2025 Afeela electric sedan with Tesla-threatening tech

January 18, 2024January 12, 2024 John Mahoney 4190 Views Afeela, Honda, Sony

Sony Honda Mobility has revealed a late-stage prototype version of the battery-electric Afeela sedan it will launch in 2025 in a bid to steal sales from the likes of the Tesla Model S.

Pulling the drapes off the close-to-production Afeela sedan at the CES tech-fest in Las Vegas, the stylish Tesla alternative is an evolution of the concept that was revealed last year at the same tech show.

Changes needed for the Afeela to become a car you can actually sell included a larger front and rear bumpers that are necessary to pass mandatory crash tests, plus a pair of conventional door mirrors and wider B-pillars.

It is no relation to the Honda 0 Series Saloon that was also revealed at CES and covered here yesterday.

Now measuring in at 20mm longer than before, the Afeela is an imposing 4915mm long, 1900mm wide and standing 1460mm tall. It also has a generous 3000mm wheelbase.

In comparison, the Tesla Model S that dominates the segment is 5021mm long, 1987mm wide, 1431mm tall, although the Honda-Sony collaboration does squeeze in a 40mm-longer wheelbase that promises more interior space.

Inside, the prototype impresses with its high-tech cabin that has barely changed from the 2023 concept.

There’s a revised centre console with dual wireless phone charges, a slightly tweaked yoke-style steering wheel, but the full-width digital instrument cluster and infotainment system that live behind a single piece of glass carries over.

Beneath the skin, the Afeela comes equipped with front and rear-mounted e-motors that produce 180kW each, suggesting that the sedan will pump out around 360kW.

These are fed by a 91kWh lithium-ion battery that can only be charged at up to 150kW.

Ensuring it will match the very best in its class when it comes to its drive the Afeela comes with double-wishbone suspension up front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, with air springs all around to maximise comfort, although the prototype rode on large 21-inch rims.

Neither range nor performance figures have been officially released but what has been confirmed is the Sony Honda Mobility first car will come with Microsoft Azure OpenAI voice assistant.

The new tech mirrors what will be introduced by Volkswagen and Mercedes later this year and allows the driver to use natural-speak voice control to operate numerous functions of the car, while the AI-driven assistant can also answer questions, remind you of appointments and even engage in casual chat.

Tapping into Sony’s gaming expertise, the Afeela has teamed up with Epic Games to create immersive displays that to not only look visually striking but are claimed to also improve safety.

Using the onboard cameras and sensors to map the surrounding environment, the tech highlights obstacles, vulnerable road users or dangers that might not be obvious to the driver.

Expected to be available to launch later this year with deliveries commencing in some markets before the end of the year, there’s no word on whether the brand will launch Down Under.

In the meantime, to help build anticipation for its launch the Afeela sedan will be able to drive in the virtual world in the latest Gran Turismo 7 later this year.