Sony and Honda shocked audiences eventually yr’s CES by asserting the collectively established electrical car model Afeela, and presenting a prototype for the model’s first mannequin, a considerably innocuous midsize sedan.
On the 2024 CES on this week in Las Vegas, Afeela offered an up to date model of the sedan prototype, one that’s extra consultant of the manufacturing model due on sale within the U.S. in 2026. The primary powertrain specs have been additionally introduced.
The visible variations between the 2 prototypes are laborious to identify, however the newest model wears new lights and fascias at each ends, plus precise facet mirrors as an alternative of the rear-facing cameras of the unique present automotive. The inside basically seems to be the identical, although, and nonetheless features a yoke-style steering wheel.
The sedan measures 193.5 inches lengthy, making it about two inches shorter than a Honda Accord, however with a wheelbase that is nearly seven inches longer.
Afeela electrical sedan prototype as proven at CES 2024
Energy comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Every motor is rated at 241 hp, which ought to end in spirited efficiency. The battery is a 91-kwh lithium-ion unit that can allow DC fast-charging at charges of as much as 150 kw. A spread estimate hasn’t been launched.
A high-level of self-driving functionality is deliberate, together with for city environments, with Sony to offer the imaging and sensing know-how. A complete of 45 cameras and sensors can be positioned across the car, together with within the cabin. Powering all of it can be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon system-on-a-chip pc, the identical pc Common Motors will use for its upcoming Extremely Cruise automated driver-assist system.
A complete digital ecosystem will even be constructed up round Afeela’s autos. In response to the model, it needs an atmosphere the place creators and builders can freely develop purposes and companies that run within the autos, very similar to how third-party apps are developed for cellphones.
Order books for the Afeela sedan will open in 2025. Honda can be liable for manufacturing which can be dealt with at a plant in North America, more likely to be in Ohio. An SUV is probably going additionally deliberate, as Sony had rolled out each sedan and SUV ideas previous to establishing Afeela with Honda.