Three electric vehicle projects between Sony and Honda
Revealed at CES 2024, the prototype of the Sony Honda Mobility Afeela electric sedan will soon be joined by two other models: an SUV in 2027 and an affordable compact car a year later.
Timeline of Unveiling
According to Nikkei, unconfirmed information indicates that the saga of the three electric vehicles (EVs) will unfold in the second half of the decade. The launch will begin with the sedan in 2025, followed by the SUV in 2027 and the compact car in 2028. Sony Honda Mobility has not confirmed these statements.
Prior Confirmation
Last year, the joint venture had already announced that an Afeela sedan would be unveiled by the end of next year, with deliveries to North American buyers scheduled for early 2026.
Upcoming Models
Little information is available about these three new EVs, but according to the report, they will share the same platform to “reduce costs and accelerate development”. The SUV is expected to be the most advanced, while the compact car may be similar in size to the Toyota Corolla and share components with the EVs independently developed by Honda.
Independent Development
Honda’s partnership with GM for the development of affordable EVs failed in October of last year due to business difficulties. This decision was driven by the decreasing demand for EVs in several regions, justifying the focus on a single project.
Technical Overview of the Afeela Sedan
The Afeela sedan will be equipped with two electric motors of 241 horsepower, one in the front and one in the rear, powered by a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery. It will offer fast DC charging of 150 kW. As a Sony product, gaming technologies are also likely. Additionally, the module above the windshield indicates the persistence of the ambition to integrate autonomous driving technology.
Conclusion
Although the realization of the dream of autonomous mobility still seems distant, Honda and Sony remain determined. Stay tuned for more information on these new EVs as it becomes available.
Source: Carbuzz
This text is from “Trois projets de véhicules électriques entre Sony et Honda” from “L’annuel de l’automobile – Actualité automobile”.