Is Sony actually building an electric car? Tonight we know more Waking up in a homemade hell

Apple wants (for a long time) Samsung for this reason also at LG it is rumored that Xiaomi should be there from 2024 and Huawei has already gained the first experience: electronics manufacturers have been trying to penetrate the promising market for electric cars for years.

Sony has also been making progress with prototypes since 2020. It became concrete in the spring of 2022, when the Playstation producer announced a collaboration with car giant Honda. In September 2022, the next step took place: the two groups founded Sony Honda Mobility Inc. on. The first official presentation is now eagerly awaited. It will take place Wednesday night at 2 a.m. at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. It is clear that a short video reveals so much: Sony Honda comes with a car.

In charge

As usual in the industry, Sony isn’t revealing too much before the presentation. Other than a sketch and a close-up, Sony fans don’t get to see anything in the 14-second announcement.

The previous prototypes

It is not the first time that Sony has presented an electric car, but it is the first time that the electronics manufacturer has done so with a serious partner. Three years ago, at CES 2020, Sony showed a first prototype under the working title Vision-S.

The sporty sedan was developed by Sony’s robotics and AI department. Even then, developer Yasuhide Mizuno referred to competitor Tesla. From a purely visual point of view, the resemblance of the Vision-S 01 to the Model S is undeniable. The impression that the Japanese are visually based on the market leader was confirmed by the presentation of the second prototype at CES 2022. The 7-seater with the working title Vision-S 02 is based on the same platform as the 01 and positions itself as a competitor of the Model X.

While the vehicles are based on Tesla on the outside, they are distinguished inside by the immense number of flat screens and the 360-degree sound system. Cameras and screens replace exterior and rear-view mirrors. 18 cameras, 18 radars and 4 LiDars (Light Detection and Ranging) must ensure safety and autonomous driving. As in the Tesla, there are almost no analog switches and buttons – unless you bring your Playstation controller. This allows the game console to be remotely controlled at home via the 5G network.

It remains to be seen whether Sony Honda will pull a third prototype out of a hat this evening – or develop at least one of the vehicles already shown. However, a deviation from the basic concept, from the focus on security, digitization and entertainment, is not to be expected.

price and release date

Sony has not yet given a specific price. CEO Yoshida gave the only clue with a statement at the presentation of the 01er. You should cause disillusionment: “It will be a vehicle with a relatively high price.” Most industry experts therefore assume a base price of around CHF 100,000.

Like the price, the release date is also the subject of wild speculation. Optimists assume the year 2025. There is a good chance that this will not be the case sooner.

Where can you watch the presentation live?

Here. The show starts at 2 a.m. Thursday.