“New Company” is the rather uninspiring name chosen for a joint venture expected to materialize by the end of 2022. Sony and Honda have agreed to develop and build EVs together, with the first car scheduled to hit the streets in 2025. Since it wouldn’t be feasible for the tech company to erect a factory to assemble the car, Honda will be in charge of production.

It’ll be interesting to see whether the first EV will be molded after the 2020 Vision-S 01 sedan or the 2022 Vision-S 02 SUV. Both concepts were presented in Las Vegas at CES as zero-emission models engineered in association with Magna Steyr, ZF, Bosch, and other important names in the automotive industry.

We do know the production-ready EV will benefit from a platform conceived by Sony, and it goes without saying Honda will have access to it as well. However, it’s too soon to say if the Japanese automaker will launch its own models based on the Sony-developed underpinnings. The two concepts we mentioned had a pair of electric motors packing well over 500 horsepower. Naturally, the SUV was the heavier of the two vehicles by tipping the scales at a hefty 2,480 kilograms (5,467 pounds).

Logic tells us the SUV has bigger chances of reaching production first what with more and more people moving away from the traditional sedan body style. The Vision-S 02 was likely conceived as a potential Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS SUV rival by offering a spacious cabin configured with a three-row layout and seven seats.

If you’re wondering about their sizes, both shared a generous wheelbase measuring 3.03 meters (119.3 inches) and an overall length of 4.89 meters (192.7 inches). Obviously, the SUV was taller (65 vs 57.1 inches) and also a smidge wider (76 vs 74.8 inches). The sedan came equipped with 20-inch wheels whereas its high-riding equivalent sat on a larger 21-inch set. Both had AWD and an air suspension, with the sedan delivering better performance: 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds en route to a maximum speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).

If these concepts are any indication, Sony will be taking the EV scene by storm.

Source: Honda

The post Sony EV Going On Sale In 2025 With Help From Honda: Official appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

A company executive has told Reuters the Sony Group is actively looking for new partners to help develop the newly formed Sony Mobility division responsible for vehicles. The main objective is to “transform cars from transportation machines to entertainment spaces.” Why did Sony wait until now to dip its toes into the car industry? Because EVs are generally easier to build, and with the internal combustion engine on its way out, the timing is perfect.

Senior general manager Izumi Kawanishi mentions ignoring zero-emissions vehicles poses a greater risk compared to the challenges associated with developing them. With the creation of Sony Mobility, it’s pretty clear the goal is to have a new revenue stream in the car industry. However, it remains to be seen whether they’ll handle car production or will form a tie-up with an experienced automaker.

It’s still too soon to say whether the Vision-S 01 sedan or the newer Vision-S 02 SUV will be made. Kawanishi refused to comment when asked if Sony will take a final decision in 2022. The concepts were created in collaboration with Magna Steyr, an automobile manufacturer that builds the Mercedes G-Class, BMW Z4, Toyota Supra, BMW 5 Series, and Jaguar’s E-Pace and I-Pace.

The Vision concepts came to life also with the help of other big names in the industry, such as Valeo, Bosch. Sony could be followed by other tech giants as Apple has been toying around with the idea of making EVs for years. In addition, Foxconn is also getting ready to enter the automotive segment.

Source: Reuters via Automobile News Europe

The post Sony Looking For Partners As It Prepares To Build Electric Vehicles appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

Another major difference between the two is the cabin layout as the SUV can host seven people as opposed to just four in the case of the sedan. Both are 4.9 meters (192.7 inches) long and share the same wheelbase of 3.03 meters (119.3 inches). However, the Vision-S 02 is wider and taller, not to mention heavier as it weighs a hefty 2,480 kg (5,467 lbs).

As it’s the case with the sedan, the new concept has a dual-motor setup providing a combined output of 536 horsepower courtesy of the front- and rear-mounted electric motors each developing 200 kilowatts. The air suspension with a variable ground clearance has also been borrowed from the sedan, but in its tallest setting, it gives the SUV an advantage over the Vision-S 01.

While Sony said the sedan would be capable of doing 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds, chances are the SUV can’t match that since it’s heavier. We do know the top speed has decreased from 149 mph (240 km/h) to only 112 mph (180 km/h), which might be electronically governed. Other known specifications include the adoption of a double-wishbone suspension and 20-inch wheels for both axles.

Both vehicles remain concepts for the time being, but that could change in the future. During CES 2022, the Tokyo-based company announced the formation of a new Sony Mobility Inc. company through which it might decide to sell EVs. Logic tells us that Vision-S 01 and 02 will lead the way. The platform upon which they’re riding can be adapted to other body styles, including coupes and minivans.

Source: Sony

The post Sony Vision-S 02 SUV concept breaks cover at CES 2022, might be built appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

New footage released this week by Sony shows not one, but two prototypes undergoing driving tests in Frankfurt, Germany. The emphasis is on fine-tuning the acceleration performance and refining the interior to create a “comfortable cabin space while ensuring stable driving at high speeds in various conditions.” The company goes on the mention on-road testing is “essential to complete the vehicle,” and yet Sony doesn’t have any intentions to sell the car. What gives?

Surely there’s more to the story than Sony is willing to reveal for now, especially since the Vision-S looks like a proper prototype with a full interior and everything. The EV is being developed with Magna Steyr, which is already responsible for assembling an electric vehicle, specifically the Jaguar I-Pace. It also puts together the iconic Mercedes G-Class off-roader as well as the BMW Z4 / Toyota Supra, Jaguar E-Pace, and the BMW 5 Series.

One plausible scenario is that Sony and Magna Steyr are perfecting an electric car platform they intend to sell to third parties instead of rolling out a production-ready Vision-S. When the concept debuted last year, it had a pair of electric motors enabling an all-wheel-drive system and a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.8 seconds en route to 149 mph (240 km/h).

We’ll remind you the Vision-S is 4,895 mm (192.7 in) long, 1,900 mm (74.8 in) wide, 1,450 mm (57.1 in) tall, and has a long wheelbase measuring 3,000 mm (118.1 in). It rides on huge 21-inch wheels and employs an air suspension giving it a variable ground clearance (120 to 135 millimeters / 4.7 to 5.3 inches).

We are fairly certain there’s more to come from Sony and its Vision-S project seeing as how a lot of work has been invested into the development of what would be an appealing Tesla Model S competitor.

Source: Sony

The post Sony Vision-S electric sedan returns in new footage of two prototypes appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

The Vision-S has since evolved to prototype status and Sony has brought it to the online-only 2021 CES. While the Japanese company still isn’t committing to a production car, development is progressing and public road tests have commenced in Europe. Specifically, it’s being tested in Graz, Austria where Sony is engineering the electric sedan together with Magna Steyr.

New details about the Vision-S remain shrouded in mystery, but we’ll remind you the original concept had dual electric motors for an all-wheel-drive system. Mounted at the front and rear, each motor was good for 268 horsepower (200 kilowatts) enabling a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).

The four-seater sedan sat on large 21-inch wheels and was conceived with a double-wishbone suspension at both front and rear axles. To ensure a silky-smooth ride, Sony and its partners have envisioned the Vision-S with an air suspension providing a variable ground clearance of 120 to 135 millimeters (4.7 to 5.3 inches).

The images and footage don’t necessarily tell the true story regarding the car’s size, so we’ll remind you the Sony EV is quite large: 4,895 mm (192.7 in) long, 1,900 mm (74.8 in) wide, 1,450 mm (57.1 in) tall, with a generous wheelbase stretching at 3,000 mm (118.1 in). The prototype eschews conventional side mirrors in favor of cameras to improve visibility and lower the body’s drag coefficient, also helped by the recessed door handles.

The work-in-progress car showcased by Sony appears to carry over the concept’s all-digital dashboard with screens from one corner to the other. The setup echoes what another Japanese company has implemented inside its EV. We’re talking about the cutesy Honda E where the side displays show the footage grabbed by the cameras and flank the digital driver’s display and a dual-screen infotainment system.

We’ll be keeping an eye on the Vision-S as we’re getting the feeling Sony has big plans for the electric sedan considering they’ve already invested a lot of time and effort into the project.

Source: Sony

The post Sony Vision-S development continues, prototype showcased at 2021 CES appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.

But success is never a foregone conclusion. Dyson’s, which raised the white flag on its zero-emission car last October, is in fact only the latest of other major projects that was canceld.

Let’s stay for a moment on Sir James Dyson, who revealed a lot of insights about his electric car project at the Sunday Times.

Dyson is the wealthiest man in Britain and has built his empire on high performance appliances. Dyson decided to develop a project for an electric SUV, he built it and he also started the road tests. But after two years of intense work he gave up, putting the beauty of £500 million pounds (over €600 million – over $650) out of his own pocket.

The car signed by Dyson had a weight of 2.6 tons, an autonomy of 950 km, the ability to shoot from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.8 seconds. The project, started in 2017, gave work to 600 people and immediately aimed to undermine Tesla’s dominance in the field of zero emissions with a direct competitor of the Tesla Model X.

It did not make it. Among the critical points: the company’s willingness to immediately use solid-state batteries (on which Samsung is making significant progress) and the willingness to develop new technologies in the field of artificial intelligence.

The Apple car

Dyson, as mentioned, finds himself in good company, so to speak. Among the other illustrious companies that have failed to make an electric car, we also have Apple. The Californian tech company decided to start the Project Titan in 2014: 1,000 employees and a secret location were ready to give life to the first Apple car ever. Obviously, the car was an all-electric and self-driving one.

The company tried but didn’t make it. From producing an entire car, Apple started to focus only on driving assistance technologies. Then everything stopped. At least for a couple of years, because rumors from Silicon Valley say that Apple is still developing autonomous driving technologies today. But how and with what efforts it is unknown, since there is no official news.

The Google car

Even before Apple, since the early 2000s, Google has ventured into designing an electric and self-driving car. Daughter of the X Lab, the division dedicated to special projects, this small car codenamed Firefly had been presented to the public quite early.

It had rounded lines and hypercompact dimensions. The prototype, which was nicknamed “koala”, certainly managed to bring human beings from one place to another. But calling it a “car” was probably too much.

The project seemed to proceed at a good pace, so much that rumors were stating that Google was already thinking to split the company branch to create an independent company. Sadly, Firefly was eventually abandoned in 2009 and Google decided to change plans, putting aside the whole car project and starting to focus on self-driving technologies only, also in collaboration with FCA.

The Sony Vision-S Concept

Sony has also recently entered the fray, even though it tried to keep a low profile. The consumer electronics giant presented the Vision-S Concept at CES 2020, a concept that introduced many technologies. The Japanese company said that the car will not be marketed, but apart from the official statements, it is known that the car actually works and that has started the set-up tests, thanks to a collaboration with Magna.

While we await for other news, a lot of people already imagine an SUV version of this intriguing Japanese product.

The post Dyson, Apple, Google, Sony: The electric cars that didn’t make it to production appeared first on EVGLOBE - News on Electric Vehicles and Hybrids.