4 weeks ago
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Two of Japan's largest companies have shown the near-final form of their first joint-venture electric car, a BMW-priced luxury sedan.
Electric Cars
The first electric car from a joint-venture brand between Japanese giants Sony and Honda – named Afeela – has been unveiled ahead of its US introduction next year.
Deliveries are confirmed for the US in mid-2026, before expanding to the right-hand-drive Japanese market by the end of the year – but plans for Australia are yet to be locked in.
It will initially be offered in California in a flagship Signature variant, with dual motors developing 360kW, and a claimed 483km (300 miles) of driving range.
But it will not come cheap, as prices for the 2026 'Signature' model start from $US102,900 ($AU165,000) – dearer than a similarly-sized Tesla Model S Plaid ($US94,990) with more than twice the power, and 77km of additional range.
Even the more affordable Origin model due in 2027 is priced from $US89,900 ($US141,000), more expensive than a high-performance BMW i5 M60 electric sedan before options ($US84,100).
The Afeela 1 is a large sedan – 4915mm long, 1900mm wide, 1461mm tall and 3000mm in wheelbase – closer in size to a Model S than a Model 3.
It promises to combine Honda's car-making skills – using one of its factories in Ohio, USA, as well as its vehicle development resources – with Sony's technology background.
Two screens stretch across the dashboard for driving information and entertainment functions, with few physical controls – just a rotary dial between the front occupants, and touch-sensitive shortcuts on the dashboard.
The Afeela 1 fits an aircraft-inspired 'yoke' steering control, but it is unclear if it is connected to a 'steer-by-wire' system or uses a conventional steering rack, which has to date made similar yoke designs clunky to use in low-speed manoeuvres.
Infotainment functions will include Spotify, TikTok and Zoom, but the presence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is yet to be confirmed, as is the ability to play PlayStation games on the screen.
It houses an Afeela Personal Agent voice assistant, as well as graphics powered by the Unreal Engine software used by many popular video games.
Signature models add 12.9-inch rear entertainment screens, as well as a camera-based digital rear-view mirror, larger 21-inch alloy wheels (vs 19s), and a choice of three exterior and two interior colours, rather than only black-on-black.
Other interior features include household power outlets under the rear seats, wireless phone charging, USB-C and HDMI ports, a bespoke sound system developed for the car, and "over" 765 litres of boot space behind the rear seats.
Recycled and plant-derived materials are used on approximately 70 per cent of the interior surfaces, which photos suggest imitate a mix of leather, suede and traditional plastics.
A 'media bar' on the car's front fascia projects information to other road users, and the Afeela 1 is fitted with conventional side mirrors as well as cameras projecting a video feed onto screens inside the car.
Sony and Honda claim the vehicle offers '800 TOPS' of computing power, used for the 18 cameras, nine radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and single lidar unit that power its adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems.
Powering the Afeela 1 are dual 180kW electric motors – one front, one rear – for a projected 360kW combined and all-wheel drive, fed by a 91kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The companies claim up to 483km of estimated driving range in US EPA testing, as well as charging at up to 150kW DC and 11kW AC via a NACS port, allowing them to use Tesla Superchargers in North America.
Air suspension is standard, which links with a 3D Motion Management System claimed to use robotics-designed technology to integrate "control of the motor, brakes, and suspension to provide optimal ride comfort and precision handling on various road surfaces."
Pre-orders for the Afeela 1 are open now for customers in California, before deliveries commence in the US in mid-2026.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
