Karaoke lovers and movie buffs will be able to satisfy their respective passions when they travel aboard an Afeela. Press releases published this month tell us, in fact, that the mid-size electric sedan designed by Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) will offer the two in-vehicle entertainment services Stingray Karaoke and Ridevu from Sony Pictures Entertainment.
The Afeela brand was created by Sony and Honda in September 2022 and, from January 2023, the initial prototype of the sedan which will bear this name was unveiled at the CES show in Las Vegas.
A second prototype
Last January, Afeela did it again by presenting a second, more advanced prototype at CES 2024. Therefore, to prepare the ground for the arrival of the first production models, promised for 2026, the people at SHM are working hard to publicize this novelty that we will see first in the United States and subsequently in Japan. As for Canada, the manufacturer has not announced anything so far.
The least we can say is that the people at SHM have not been idle. Since its unveiling, the second prototype has been used extensively in a promotional tour concentrated in California. In July, the manufacturer even offered an opening show during a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium. Afeela then found herself in the center of the field alongside Creepy Nuts, a Japanese hip-hop duo bringing together rapper R-Shitei and turntablist Matsunaga.
An anti-Tesla
It is obvious that SHM is targeting the Tesla Model S with its novelty. The Afeela is shorter than an S (4,915mm versus 5,021) and its 3.0 meter wheelbase is 40mm longer. Trifles, really.
In addition, its two 180 kW electric motors drive all four wheels thanks to a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery. We don’t know the range it provides, but the manufacturer has revealed that this car has a charging capacity of 150 kW with high-speed terminals.
Very spacious, the Afeela is also distinguished by its digital dashboard which extends across the entire width of the cabin. Additionally, in addition to the Stingray Group’s Stingray Karaoke and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Ridevu connected services, in November, SHM announced that the Afeela’s infotainment system will also incorporate Zoom Meetings, a video conferencing application.
Afeela at CES 2025
The Afeela brand will once again be present at CES, which opens its doors on January 7. We will learn how much this sedan will cost (the American periodical Car and Driver mentioned a base price of US$45,000). Perhaps we will also know the term that will designate it? And then, we risk learning more about the opening of the order book in 2025, the date of the start of production which will be done in a Honda factory in Ohio and, finally, on the first deliveries that we are receiving. still promises in 2026.
Who knows, SHM managers will perhaps even reveal a few snippets of information on the other models that will make up this brand’s range over the coming years. Rumors suggest that there would be a mid-size utility vehicle and a compact model described as affordable…
Photos : Sony Honda Mobility
The text The Afeela, the car designed for karaoke lovers and movie buffs comes from L’annuel de l’automobile – Automotive news
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