By DCB Editorial, January 8, 2025
The Sony Afeela 1 is an electric saloon unveiled by Sony with its gaze fixed firmly on the citizens of California. Seven years of labor, forged in collaboration with Honda and veiled in secrecy, have culminated in this creation.
The base Signature model, accessible only to those prepared to part with $89,000, comes imbued with the trappings of modern control: Afeela Intelligent Drive, the watchful overseer of every journey; Afeela Personal Agent, a digital whisperer of convenience; and, of course, a curated stream of Sony-branded entertainment to pacify the mind funnelled through a wide screen infotainment screen.
Sales are decreed to commence in 2026, a date etched into the annals of the near future, marking the moment when the Afeela will extend its dominion over the roads and into the lives of its eager subjects.
Citizens eager to own the Afeela must first pledge their allegiance with a $200 refundable deposit—a token of commitment merely to stand in line for the privilege of purchase. The overlords of Afeela have yet to decree when the vehicle might extend its reach beyond the borders of California, leaving the masses in other states yearning in silence.
The entry-level model, modest yet capable, promises a range of 300 miles (483 km) and aligns seamlessly with Tesla’s supercharging infrastructure—a concession to the dominant order. Beneath its polished facade lies a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery, its power coursing through twin electric motors to summon an obedient 483 horsepower.
Yet, Afeela dares to challenge the gilded citadel of luxury EVs, taking aim at the reigning sovereign: the Lucid Air. Revered for its unparalleled efficiency and commanding range, Lucid casts a long shadow over the battlefield. Afeela, undaunted, strides forth to stake its claim among the elite.
