Sony Vision-S hits the road

Electronics giant Sony has revealed its Vision-S concept has arrived in Japan and is being prepared for on-road tests.

A surprise reveal at last January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) extravaganza in Las Vegas, there is still no word whether Sony actually has production plans for the 200kW battery electric four-seater.

To mark its return to Tokyo, Sony issued this short video and only a few lines of information.

“Vision-S Prototype has arrived in Tokyo for advancing our sensing and audio technologies.

“The prototype vehicle is also currently under development for public road testing this fiscal year.”

That, folks, is it.

The Vision-S has spent the time since CES in Austria with Sony’s engineering partner Magna Steyr and other development partners.

Sony hasn’t talked about the battery pack of the Vision-S except to say it is “ultrathin”, but it has confirmed there are front and rear electric motors that propel it to 100km/h in 4.8 sec and on to a top speed of 240km/h.

The Vision-S rides on a modular platform that can accommodate various body styles including SUVs. The suspension system comprises double wishbones and air springs.

It measures up at 4895mm long, 1450mm high, 1900mm wide and has a 3000mm wheelbase. Kerb weight is 2350kg.

The Vison-S has “next-generation” electronic architecture enabled by the 5G network and capable of over the air updates.

The system is designed to link with smart devices and adjust its interior climate to reflect passenger behaviour. Being Sony, the audio system with its individual seat speakers is being hyped, as is the panoramic dashboard screen.

Full autonomous capability is also part of the package. There are no less than 33 onboard sensors including cameras, radar/ultrasonics and Lidar watching what’s going on outside, as well as monitoring driver behaviour inside.

Sony is aiming at top scores in safety tests for the Vision-S – which means NCAP five stars.