Sony Honda Mobility has revealed a late-stage prototype model of the battery-electric Afeela sedan it would launch in 2025 in a bid to steal gross sales from the likes of the Tesla Mannequin S.
Pulling the drapes off the close-to-production Afeela sedan on the CES tech-fest in Las Vegas, the fashionable Tesla different is an evolution of the idea that was revealed final yr on the similar tech present.
Adjustments wanted for the Afeela to turn into a automobile you possibly can truly promote included a bigger entrance and rear bumpers which can be essential to cross necessary crash checks, plus a pair of standard door mirrors and wider B-pillars.
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It’s no relation to the Honda 0 Sequence Saloon that was additionally revealed at CES and coated right here yesterday.
Now measuring in at 20mm longer than earlier than, the Afeela is an imposing 4915mm lengthy, 1900mm large and standing 1460mm tall. It additionally has a beneficiant 3000mm wheelbase.
![2025 Sony Honda Afeela sedan.](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ext_1_hero_01-1024x576.webp)
As compared, the Tesla Mannequin S that dominates the section is 5021mm lengthy, 1987mm large, 1431mm tall, though the Honda-Sony collaboration does squeeze in a 40mm-longer wheelbase that guarantees extra inside area.
Inside, the prototype impresses with its high-tech cabin that has barely modified from the 2023 idea.
There’s a revised centre console with twin wi-fi telephone prices, a barely tweaked yoke-style steering wheel, however the full-width digital instrument cluster and infotainment system that reside behind a single piece of glass carries over.
![2025 Sony Honda Afeela sedan dashboard.](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/int_design_01-1024x576.webp)
Beneath the pores and skin, the Afeela comes outfitted with entrance and rear-mounted e-motors that produce 180kW every, suggesting that the sedan will pump out round 360kW.
These are fed by a 91kWh lithium-ion battery that may solely be charged at as much as 150kW.
Making certain it would match the easiest in its class on the subject of its drive the Afeela comes with double-wishbone suspension up entrance and a multi-link set-up on the rear, with air springs throughout to maximise consolation, though the prototype rode on massive 21-inch rims.
Neither vary nor efficiency figures have been formally launched however what has been confirmed is the Sony Honda Mobility first automobile will include Microsoft Azure OpenAI voice assistant.
The brand new tech mirrors what shall be launched by Volkswagen and Mercedes later this yr and permits the driving force to make use of natural-speak voice management to function quite a few features of the automobile, whereas the AI-driven assistant may also reply questions, remind you of appointments and even have interaction in informal chat.
![2025 Sony Honda Afeela sedan tech.](https://evcentral.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/news_20240108_SHM_Epic_pc-1-2-1024x576.webp)
Tapping into Sony’s gaming experience, the Afeela has teamed up with Epic Video games to create immersive shows that to not solely look visually putting however are claimed to additionally enhance security.
Utilizing the onboard cameras and sensors to map the encompassing surroundings, the tech highlights obstacles, weak street customers or risks which may not be apparent to the driving force.
Anticipated to be obtainable to launch later this yr with deliveries commencing in some markets earlier than the top of the yr, there’s no phrase on whether or not the model will launch Down Beneath.
Within the meantime, to assist construct anticipation for its launch the Afeela sedan will be capable to drive within the digital world within the newest Gran Turismo 7 later this yr.