Sony-Honda Afeela Prototype Added to Gran Turismo PS5 Game

Preorders for Afeela will start in 2025 and deliveries in Japan are expected to start in 2026

The Afeela electric car project, a joint venture between Japanese giants Sony and Honda, will now be featured in the Gran Turismo 7 game on Sony's PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 video game consoles. Before the real vehicle is released to the market, the prototype will debut on the popular racing simulation game, giving players a chance to experience the car virtually before it hits the roads.

Gran Turismo 7, Sony's iconic racing game franchise, has been an exclusive title for the PlayStation console since its inception in 1997. The game is renowned for its realistic racing simulation, stunning graphics, and an extensive collection of vehicles from various manufacturers. It is widely considered one of the greatest racing game franchises of all time, with a dedicated fan base spanning multiple generations of gamers.

In an official statement, Sony-Honda Mobility said, "Before the real vehicle is released, we would like as many people as possible to ride it in-game. Please enjoy it." The Afeela prototype will be released as part of the game on April 25 at 7:30 pm India time, allowing players to get behind the wheel of this highly anticipated electric vehicle.

Alongside the Afeela prototype, Gran Turismo 7 will also see the addition of other new cars, such as the Skoda Vision Gran Turismo, a concept car designed specifically for the game, and the classic 70s Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 Sport Coupe, catering to fans of vintage American muscle cars.

Sony had been teasing an electric car concept since 2020, but in 2022, it became a more concrete project with the formation of the joint venture with Honda, called Sony Honda Mobility. The plan is for Afeela to be available for preorder in 2025, with deliveries beginning in 2026. A closer glimpse of the car was showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this year, generating significant interest among automotive enthusiasts and technology fans alike.

The Afeela project has deep roots in the Gran Turismo and PlayStation brands, with Sony tapping a partnership with Polyphony Digital, the self-owned studio behind the GT games, to develop vehicles that fuse the virtual and the real. This collaboration was evident when the car's driver seat rumbled during the trailer for the Gran Turismo movie, showcasing the immersive experience that the Afeela aims to deliver. Additionally, the car has the ability to play PlayStation games on its screen via PlayStation Remote Play, essentially making it a PlayStation Portal on wheels.

Currently, it is known that the Afeela will have an impressive 483PS of power, courtesy of a 91kWh battery that supports up to 150kW fast charging. This will enable the car to offer a compelling blend of performance and efficiency, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious buyers who do not wish to compromise on driving dynamics.

In addition to its performance credentials, the Afeela will come equipped with Sony's extensive entertainment technology and content repository, including access to the PlayStation ecosystem. Microsoft Azure has been tapped to create an AI-based conversational assistant for the car, enhancing the user experience and providing a more intuitive interface for drivers and passengers. Furthermore, AI will be leveraged to enable level 3 self-driving capabilities at launch, positioning the Afeela at the forefront of automotive technology.

Interestingly, the Sony-Honda Mobility COO and president, Izumi Kawanishi, is a long-time Sony executive who has worked on several iconic PlayStation products, such as the PlayStation 3 and the PSP handheld gaming device. He has also been involved in the development of Sony's Xperia mobile phones and the fourth-generation Aibo robot, highlighting the deep integration of PlayStation DNA within the Afeela project.

Given this strong connection to the PlayStation brand, it is fitting that the first opportunity for anyone to drive the Afeela will be through the virtual world of Gran Turismo 7. This move not only generates excitement among gaming enthusiasts but also allows potential customers to experience the car's performance and features in a highly realistic simulation environment.