Sony and Honda’s Afeela SUV Prototype Hints at a Tech-First Luxurious EV Future : Automotive Addicts
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CES is often the place we go to see the following large display screen, the following large chip, or the following large gadget. This yr, one of many extra attention-grabbing reveals in Las Vegas got here from an automaker badge that also feels model new. Afeela, the electric-vehicle model born from Sony Honda Mobility, rolled out an SUV-style prototype that indicators the corporate is severe about changing into greater than a one-car curiosity.
If in case you have been loosely following Afeela, the Afeela 1 sedan remains to be the primary act. Buyer deliveries are slated for late 2026 in California, with Japan following in early 2027, and the pricing places it firmly in premium territory at $89,900 for the Origin trim and $102,900 for the Signature. That context issues as a result of the SUV prototype is clearly aiming on the similar well-heeled crowd, simply with extra space and a taller stance.
Calling it an SUV is correct, however it’s not the boxy, upright form most individuals image. The Afeela prototype reads extra like a lifted fastback, with a protracted wheelbase look and a clean, minimalist physique that stays near the sedan’s design language. There are only a few sharp creases, the surfacing is deliberately clear, and the flush particulars give it a concept-car vibe despite the fact that Afeela is already speaking manufacturing timing.
The specs are nonetheless principally underneath wraps, however one of the best clue is Sony’s earlier Imaginative and prescient-S 02 idea that the prototype traces again to. That car was roughly 192.7 inches lengthy with a 119.3-inch wheelbase, wore 20-inch wheels, and tipped the scales at about 5,467 kilos, which suggests a giant, substantial EV slightly than a compact crossover. If the manufacturing model retains something near that footprint, count on it to land in the identical basic area as different giant luxurious EVs, simply with a unique character.
And that character is the place the Sony affect actually reveals. Afeela retains speaking about in-car experiences and software program as the primary occasion, not simply the powertrain, and the corporate has already mentioned superior driver-assistance functionality at launch with an eye fixed towards extra autonomy down the street. For buyers who care as a lot in regards to the digital ecosystem as they do about 0-60 bragging rights, that angle could possibly be the hook.
After all, the timing is the tough half. The SUV shouldn’t be anticipated to succeed in the U.S. till 2028 on the earliest, and that’s an eternity within the EV world, particularly within the luxurious phase the place competitors is relentless and product cycles transfer quick. Nonetheless, Sony and Honda pairing up stays one of many extra intriguing matchups within the trade: Honda brings manufacturing and car fundamentals, Sony brings software program, sensors, and leisure DNA. If Afeela can translate that promise into a cultured manufacturing SUV, it could find yourself being a late arrival that also feels well worth the wait.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on this planet of automobiles. Whether or not it’s exploring the most recent developments in automotive know-how or protecting a detailed pulse on breaking trade information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or underneath the hood, Lloyd enjoys take a look at driving the most recent fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.
