Sony and Honda’s first EV is nearing the finish line.
The Japanese electronics and automotive giants used their CES press conference to announce that they have officially opened the order books for the Afeela 1. Unfortunately, only those living in California can reserve the tech-laden sedan for now.
The upcoming EV’s roots can be traced back to the Vision-S sedan concept that Sony brought to the same convention back in 2020. An SUV followed two years later, at which point Sony and Honda joined forces to make the attractive concepts a reality. That year, the companies announced that they were forming a joint venture called Sony Honda Mobility that would sell EVs under the Afeela brand.
Image courtesy of Afeela
Two Afeela 1 models will be available to start, the Origin and Signature, which will be priced at US$89,900 (approximately HK$699,775) and US$102,900 (approximately HK$800,965) respectively. We’re still waiting for final details, but both versions of the sleek four-door will be powered by a dual-motor powertrain that the brand claims will produce around 480 hp. The all-wheel-drive setup gets its juice from a 91-kWh battery that the brands say will go up to 300 miles between charges.
Unsurprisingly, the two Afeela 1 models are separated by their features. The Signature will be available in three colours (Calm White, Tidal Grey, and Core Black), rides on 21-inch alloy wheels, and comes with an additional rear entertainment system. The Origin will only be available in Core Black and will have 19-inch alloy wheels. Both versions come with a complimentary three-year subscription to a host of in-car features, including Level 2+ driver’s assistance, an AI-powered personal assistant, and what the brand is calling “immersive” entertainment content.
Image courtesy of Afeela
The Afeela 1 is available to reserve now through the brand’s website for a US$200 (approximately HK$1,555) deposit. You’ll have to live in California if you want to pre-order the sedan, though. Sony and Honda plan to expand availability over time, according to Inside EVs, but it makes sense that they would focus on the Golden State at the beginning. In the third quarter of 2024, over one in every four new cars sold in California was battery-powered. Deliveries of the Signature are expected to begin sometime next year, with the Origin following in 2027.
