I had been away from gaming for a few weeks, and when I powered on GranTurismo 7 last night, I got a nice surprise: Sony, the PS5’s maker, had given me a gift – an Afeela 1. What’s that, you might ask?
At CES 2025, two Japanese giants, Sony and Honda, revealed the fruit of their groundbreaking partnership: the 2026 Afeela 1, a high-tech electric sedan that combines Honda’s engineering expertise with Sony’s tech prowess. While the Afeela brand was announced over a year ago, this unveiling finally gives us a clear look at what the collaboration brings to the electric vehicle space — and it’s nothing short of futuristic. And what better place to showcase it than a fully virtual racetrack?
Let’s start with the design. The Afeela 1 exudes a minimalist, almost Scandinavian aesthetic. Clean lines, flush door handles, and an unassuming silhouette give it a modern yet approachable vibe. However, the real magic lies in its tech-laden heart. True to Sony’s DNA, the Afeela 1 is packed with features, including advanced driver-assistance systems and a staggering 45 cameras and sensors. These technologies aim to offer Level 3 autonomy, where the car takes over full driving duties under specific conditions, leaving the human behind the wheel free to relax — though not entirely off the hook. I guess we’ll see about that.
The interior is futuristic, which surprises no one. Think panoramic displays stretching across the dashboard, augmented reality capabilities, and Sony’s entertainment pedigree shining through in the audio and gaming integration (I can’t confirm nor deny whether there is an embedded PS5 there). You’ll not only drive the Afeela 1, but you’ll also live in it, entertained by its bespoke media environment – check the trailer below to see for yourself.
Performance details remain scarce, but Honda’s track record in electrification suggests we can expect a vehicle that balances power and efficiency. The Afeela 1 will leverage Honda’s electric drivetrain know-how and pair it with Sony’s software expertise, hinting at a car that could redefine how we interact with our vehicles.
Scheduled to launch in 2026, the Afeela 1 will likely target markets in North America, Japan, and Europe first. While pricing remains a mystery, the blend of premium tech and engineering hints at a vehicle positioned in the luxury EV segment, taking aim at the likes of Tesla and Lucid – it even has a Lucid Air feel to it, or is it just me?
Sony and Honda’s partnership may seem unconventional, but the Afeela 1 proves that combining expertise in mobility and technology can lead to something extraordinary. Whether it’s a glimpse of the future or just the next big thing in EVs, the Afeela 1 has our attention — and the race is on to see how it stacks up in a rapidly evolving market.
