Sony Unveils Vision-S 02 Concept, Announces New Division That Will Explore Entry In The EV Market

In January 2020, Sony unveiled the Vision-S 01 concept car at CES but even though the development of the electric sedan is running since December 2020, up to a few months ago the company wasn’t quite sure about its EV plans. Today, Sony returned to CES 2022 with the brand new Vision-S 02 concept and a big announcement: the establishment of Sony Mobility Inc in spring 2022. This company will serve as the vessel for Sony to to “explore entry into the EV market”, possibly with production versions of both the sedan and the SUV.

If the Sony Vision-S 01 is a future rival to the Tesla Model S, then the Vision-S 02 is the equivalent of the Model X. The electric SUV is 4,895 mm (192.7 inches) long with a wheelbase of 3,030 mm (119.3 inches), figures identical to its sedan sibling. However, it is slightly wider at 1,930 mm (76 inches) and taller at 1,650 mm (65 inches) while featuring an increased ground clearance by 6.2 inches (157 mm). It is also heavier, weighing 5,467 lbs (2,480 kg), compared to the 5,180 lbs (2,350 kg) of the sedan.

As expected, Sony’s concepts are sharing the same underpinnings. This includes the double-wishbone front and rear suspension with air springs and the dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain that consists of two electric motors, each producing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS). The top speed of the SUV is over 112 mph (180 km/h) which is significantly lower than the 149 mph (240 km/h) of the sedan due to the added drag and weight. Sony has yet to announce the acceleration figures but the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time will definitely be worse than the low-rider’s 4.8 seconds.

Read Also: Chrysler Airflow Concept Unveiled, Brand To Go EV Only By 2028

Naturally, the design of the Vision-S 02 is pretty similar to the Vision-S 01, with the same styling features incorporated into a taller body. The almond-shaped headlights are connected with an illuminated grille, the bumper has thin intakes, the profile boasts an aerodynamic silhouette with a dual-tone treatment and aero-style 20-inch wheels, while the rear end has a high-mounted full-width LED bar. The roofline of the SUV looks kind of weird from certain angles but this is because the interior is offering three rows of seats accommodating up to 7 people.

The high-tech dashboard is shared with the Vision-S 01, including three large screens, two additional screens for the digital mirrors, and another touchscreen on the floating center console for operating the vehicle’s functions. Adding two more touchscreens mounted on the seatbacks and another small unit for the climate control, there is a total of nine displays in the cabin. The seat-mounted speakers are compatible with the 360 Reality Audio, while the video service Bravia Core, 5G connectivity, and the ability to play PlayStation games through a remote connection with the console take in-vehicle entertainment to the next level.

Sony is putting a lot of emphasis on the safety systems equipping both vehicles with an array of sensors positioned all around the vehicle including high-resolution CMOS image sensors and LiDAR. Additionally, Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors are monitoring the driver and the passengers, recognize them, and support gesture and voice commands. The company is already testing the ADAS systems in Europe towards the release of Level 2+ autonomous capability on public roads, while in previous statements it has pledged for Level 4 capability in the future.

Sony Mobility Inc. will be established in the spring of 2022 aiming to “further accelerate and make new proposals that further evolve the mobility experience”. This could mean that we should be expecting production versions of both concept cars in the coming years, although it is too early to talk about a possible market launch.

Sony Vision-S 02

Sony Vision-S 01