Sony’s First Electric Car: 5+ Vision-S Facts You’ll Want to Know

Like every Consumer Electronics Show, there's always a big surprise for the consumer and tech industry that throws a curveball. 2020's CES was no different, as Sony announced that they were entering the electric car industry with their new Vision-S. But what is the Vision-S, and what does it bring and add to the market? How will it compete with Tesla, Chevrolet and the others?
The Vision-S is a compact sedan with two electric motors, designed with the intentions of incorporating more computing aspects into the design. So far, journalists have compared the Vision-S to a Porsche Taycan, as well as the Lucid Motors Air, a luxury model announced by the Arabic company earlier last year and is expected to hit streets sometime in the second half of 2020. Continue reading to learn everything else you'll want to know about the Sony Vision-S.
The Vision-S Will Be Quick
Rather than make their own motors, Sony teamed up with Magna Steyr (maker of components for Mercedes-Benz and Toyota) to give the Vision-S two 200-kW (268-hp) electric motors. Sony believes these motors will allow drivers to reach 62 MPH in less than 5 seconds, and it will have a 149 MPH max speed. And while these figures are not as quick as Tesla's Model S, it is a very solid start for the company.
It's Packed with Electronics
The Vision-S seems to exemplify an attempt at building an electronics-heavy vehicle, with a number of prior Sony products installed within it.
One of the most notable contributions is the so-called 'safety cocoon,' or rather, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite, to use the technical terminology. This cocoon uses a variety of camera sensors to determine the space around them. This cocoon relies on 33 sensors in total and includes several forms, including high-resolution CMOS optical, solid-state lidar, radar, and time-of-flight sensors.
This amount of sensors is significantly higher than your average car, which typically has cameras in the back and possibly sides that accommodate vehicle blind spots.
It Touts a New 360 Degree Sound system
During the Sony presentation at CES, the company announced its new sound endeavor, called Sony 360 Reality Audio. The device is reportedly an attempt to create a completely immersive sound experience for the user through select apps, headphones, and speakers. This function will also be incorporated into the Vision-S with speakers installed even into the seats.
It Features a Massive Touchscreen
A cursory glance within the vehicle revealed the presence of a rather large touchscreen display within it, spanning almost the entire front section of the car's dash. Current impressions imply that this system will be used for access to entertainment, as well as the sensors mentioned earlier. The Vision-S is not the first model to incorporate this feature at CES this year. Fellow electric car manufacturer Byton also added a 48-inch touchscreen interface to their display, illustrating it with the addition of content from CBS and other television providers.
It Doesn't Have a Release Date
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida stated in the announcement that "This prototype embodies our contribution to the future of mobility," although Sony has not announced a release date for this model.
While it wouldn't surprise us to see the Vision-S hit the roads in two to three years, it seems more likely that the sedan was announced in part to show off the company's ongoing endeavors into the sensor and automobile infotainment market. Only time will tell whether this ends up becoming true.