Sony and Honda-backed Afila unveils improved version of its debut sedan.
Sony and Honda surprised audiences at last year's CES when they unveiled their jointly established electric car brand, Affeera, and unveiled a prototype of the brand's first model, a rather unremarkable midsize sedan.
At the 2024 CES in Las Vegas this week, Afiera unveiled an updated version of the sedan prototype. The first powertrain version was also unveiled.
The visual differences between the two prototypes are hard to spot, but the latest version has new lights and fascia at both ends, plus actual side mirrors in place of the original show car's rear-facing cameras. The interior is essentially the same, with a yoke-style steering wheel.
The sedan is 193.5 inches long, about 2 inches shorter than the Honda Accord, but has a 7-inch longer wheelbase.
Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. Each motor is rated at 241 hp and is expected to deliver spirited performance. The battery is a 91 kwh lithium-ion unit, and Afeela cites a DC fast charge of up to 150 kwh. No range estimates have been released.
High-level automated driving capabilities, including urban environments, are planned, with Sony providing the image processing and sensing technology. A total of 45 cameras and sensors will be deployed around the vehicle, including inside the vehicle. Qualcomm's Snapdragon system-on-chip computers are the same as those used in General Motors' upcoming "Ultra Cruise" self-driving assistance system.
An entire digital ecosystem will also be built around the Afila car. According to the brand, it wants an environment where creators and developers can freely develop applications and services that work inside the car, similar to the development of third-party apps for cell phones.
The Afila sedan will be available for order in 2025. Production will be handled by Honda and will take place at a North American plant, possibly in Ohio. An SUV is likely planned as well, as Sony had developed both a sedan and SUV concept before establishing Affira with Honda.
