Japanese electronics majorset the cat among the pigeons when it unveiled a prototype electric car at CES in January 2020. At the time, it said that the Vision-Swas not intended for commercial use, but it turns out that the car might be spotted on the streets after all.
Sony revealed in a YouTube video that the Vision-S “has arrived in Tokyo for advancing our sensing and audio technologies. The prototype vehicle is also currently under development for public road testing this fiscal year.”
The prototype EV, Sony said, was developed to showcase its technology to, and was not an effort on its part to pivot towards EVs, at least not on its own. However, the Tokyo-based company might be interested in doing more than just pitching its prowess in electrical engineering to Big Auto.
The Vision-S can go from 0-100 kmph in 4.8 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 240 kmph. It is powered by dual 200kW engine, one each at the front and rear. In January, when Sony unveiled the prototype, it had Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, which meant it could handle acceleration, braking, and steering, but required human intervention to oversee the system.
The more Sony tweaks with the Vision-S, the more attention it is going to get from car manufacturers.
By testing it further, Sony could be exploring the opportunity to giver its EV prototype greater level of autonomy. The Vision-S has 33 sensors for autonomous driving and ancillary functions like recognizing people and items, both inside and outside the cabin.
It is capable of adapting the preferences of the driver, and can modify settings for a tailormade commuting experience. Given Sony’s expertise with imaging and audio technology, it is no surprise that the in-car entertainment system is quite futuristic.
It has a seamless user interface, and comes with 360 Reality Audio, with speakers in all four seats’ headrests. While it too early to guess whether the car, in its present form, will make it to public roads, it is likely that the more Sony tweaks with the Vision-S, the more attention it is going to get from car manufacturers.
Audi, Mercedes-Benz & Kalashnikov: World’s Most Beautiful Concept Electric Cars
Electric Surprises
These e-car concepts made a quiet noise during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2018.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow
Mercedes-Benz unveiled a one-seater Vision EQ Silver Arrow show car that has a body made of carbon fibre, is powered by a rechargeable battery with a usable capacity of 80 kWh and has a calculated range of over 400 km. The interior has a digital cockpit — it includes a curved panoramic screen with back projection, and a touchscreen integrated into the steering wheel.
Automobili Pininfarina PF0
Automobili Pininfarina debuted its fully electric hypercar, codenamed PF0, at the show. Cloaked in a visually stunning body created from carbon fibre, extreme levels of technology and functional design define the PF0, delivering a staggering performance for a road car: a stated ambition to accelerate from 0-100 kmph in less than two seconds, break the 400 kmph top speed barrier, and provide a potential zero-emissions range of over 500 km.
Audi PB18 e-tron
The German automaker unveiled the all-electric Audi PB18 e-tron that’s broad and flat, visibly inspired by the wind tunnel and the race track. The concept uses three powerful electric motors – one up front and two in the rear that deliver power output of up to 150 kW to the front axle and 350 kW to the rear. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just a little over two seconds.
Infiniti Prototype 10
Infiniti also revealed a singleseat concept marrying the aesthetics of a classic grand prix racer with an electric powertrain and 21st-century materials. While the allelectric car hints at the striking future design cues from Infiniti, the Prototype 10 concept’s most important feature is its electric powertrain.