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 long with a wheelbase of 3,030 mm, figures identical to its sedan sibling. However, it is slightly
wider at 1,930 mm and taller at 1,650 mm while
featuring an increased ground clearance by 157 mm. It is also
heavier, weighing 2,480 kg, compared to the 2,350 kg of
the sedan.
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. The
top speed of the SUV is over 180 km/h which is significantly lower
than the 240 km/h of the sedan due to the added drag and weight. Sony
has yet to announce the acceleration figures but the 0-100 km/h time
will definitely be worse than the low-rider’s 4.8 seconds.
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.
