Four years after first teasing its entry into the electric car race, Sony has moved its Afeela 1 sedan into pre-production, a major step toward seeing the tech giant’s vision on the streets.
But can a company best known for PlayStations, cameras, and Walkmans really compete with Tesla, Mercedes, and Porsche in the EV market?
From Concept to Reality
Sony unveiled its first EV concept in 2020, turning heads at CES with a futuristic saloon packed with screens and sensors. Now, in 2025, the Afeela 1 has reached pre-production, with Honda building the first examples at its East Liberty plant in Ohio.
Instead of building factories from scratch, Sony has leaned on Honda’s manufacturing expertise—an approach that contrasts with EV newcomers like Lucid and Fisker, who relied on contract builders such as Magna Steyr.
Pricing, Orders, and Launch Plans
Price: $89,900 (Origin trim) / $102,900 (Signature trim)
Deliveries: Begin mid-2026 in California, with Japan expected to follow in 2027
For early adopters, this makes the Afeela 1 a premium alternative in the EV luxury space.
Tech Meets Mobility
As you’d expect from Sony, technology takes center stage. The Afeela 1 comes with:
40 sensors including lidar, radar, ultrasonic, and cameras
Ultra-powerful ECU for advanced driver-assist functions
Entertainment-first cabin:
Full-width dashboard display
Digital wing mirror screens
Rear 12.9-inch passenger displays
Spatial audio and active noise cancellation
It’s less about raw horsepower and more about blending mobility with entertainment and AI-driven safety.
Performance & Range
Motors: Dual setup (240 hp each, 480 hp total)
Battery: 91 kWh
Range: ~300 miles
Charging: Max 150 kW
On paper, this puts the Afeela 1 behind rivals like the Tesla Model S (405 miles range) or Porsche Taycan (270 kW charging). Sony may be betting instead on its user experience and software ecosystem to win buyers.
The Challenge Ahead
The EV luxury market is crowded, with Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche offering faster, longer-range cars at similar prices. Sony’s trump card? Its integration of media, AI, and entertainment—turning the car into a rolling Sony ecosystem.
Industry analyst Takeshi Miya, Tokyo-based automotive consultant, told Nikkei Asia:
“Sony is not selling just a car. It’s selling an experience—a fusion of mobility and digital entertainment. That’s what makes the Afeela strategy unique.”
But even with Honda’s backing, Sony faces the uphill task of building trust in an industry where reliability and service networks matter as much as innovation.
What This Means for Drivers
For tech enthusiasts in Bahrain and the Gulf, the Afeela 1 could be a glimpse of the future: cars as digital platforms, not just vehicles. But with deliveries still a year away, and specs already being overtaken, the question remains whether Sony can play catch-up in a market where expectations move fast.
Quick Guide
What is it? Sony & Honda’s first EV, the Afeela 1 sedan
Price? $89,900–$102,900
Range? ~300 miles
Launch? Mid-2026 (US first, Japan later)
Why care? A car built by a tech company—mobility meets entertainment
#PowerUpCity #EVRevolution #SonyAfeela #FutureOfDriving #BahrainMotors
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