At the recent CES 2022 convention, Sony revealed a new electric crossover SUV called the Vision-S 02. It’s a strange-looking car but in my opinion, it’s not something that you’d describe as “ugly.” It looks a bit like a second-generation Tata Indica in all honesty. However, the design overall is very futuristic.
It’s not the first concept car though launched by Sony. The original Vision-S sedan was launched back in 2021, and it did cause a bit of a stir. The success of the Tesla Model 3 meant that many non-car companies around the world started to get into EVs and one of the largest was Sony.
The Vision S seats four people according to Sony. It is a handsome-looking sedan that has a fantastic interior. At the time of launch, Sony stated that this was merely just a “show off” piece and it would never be built. however, at the 2022 CES event, there were indications that Sony could go off and create a car brand called Sony mobility.
So, should Sony one of the largest tech corporations in the world enter the car industry? Let’s find out.
Sony Knows The Automotive Industry Inside Out.
picture via: bbc.com
For years, Sony has been the industry leader for in-car entertainment. They make some of the best aftermarket stereo systems out there and they have done for decades. Companies like Ford have instructed Sony to manufacture some of their modern premium in-car stereo systems.
Sony has worked with many top-end car manufacturers, and they have learned more than a thing or two from these companies on how to run a successful car company. The Vision-S sedan proves that since it is packed full of technology, and has everything that the modern person wants.
Sony has massively succeeded in many other industries that do relate somewhat to cars. This includes the console industry, computer industry, and mobile industry. Computers, phones, and consoles all require advanced computer chips to run smoothly. Modern cars need the same technology too since most are heavily controlled by the onboard computer, the ECU.
Sony Don’t Even Need To Build The Car.
Yes, you heard me correct, Sony doesn’t even need to create a car factory. they can simply outsource all manufacturing to a third party such as Magna Automotive Corporation. Sony contacted Magna Corporation, a Canadian automotive manufacturer whose Austrian plant manufacturers the current G-Class Mercedes and Jaguar I-Pace.
If Sony does plan to build this car, then they can just contact Magna to build it. Easy peasy and they have all the tooling for EVs in their Austrian factory since they build the Jaguar I-Pace there and soon the Fisker Ocean. This is literally like a cheat code then for Sony as it saves time, money, and heaps of effort. Plus, Sony doesn’t have to worry too much about build quality since the Magna group already successfully makes high-quality cars such as the BMW Z4 and Mercedes G-Class.
I do believe that since Sony does have a relationship with Magna already, the two could collaborate to create something amazing. Sony originally collaborated with Ericson for phones and it worked well. If they collaborate with Magna, these two giants could produce some great cars.
The Interiors Are Phenomenal
Sony does make some pretty cool interiors in their cars. It’s almost as if they have stuck on a huge display on top of the dashboard. The large display stretches across the cabin from the driver’s side to the passenger’s side. I think it looks quite modern and it improves the look of the interior. It also gives the car so much more personality. You also get two displays at either far side of the car which acts as rear-view mirrors.
These screens are described as “panoramic” by Sony. The goal for Sony with this screen is to make it feel like a TV. You can watch movies on it a lot easier, Then there is the UI which Sony states is designed on ergonomics with a lot of consideration given to the driver’s sight of vision. It’s all very well thought out.
The steering wheel is very much like a normal steering wheel. It has physical buttons and behind it, you get a proper physical stalk. It’s all pretty much like a normal car in this department. Other features include voice control and gesture control. All very cool.
Sony will also fit premium 360 reality audio into their cars which they state works very well in conjunction with the premium entertainment panoramic screen. In fact, on their website, they state that all of this “transforms boring travel time into an exciting and luxurious experience.” You also get a lower screen that controls things like the climate and also a dial knob. You can even use a Playstation controller in the car.
There are also two screens in the rear for the passengers sitting in the back. Like the front panoramic screen, it has crystal clear graphics developed by Sony’s TV division, Bravia. You have to remember that Sony makes the best gaming consoles and TVs in the world so they do know a thing or two about technology.
Weirdly there are only four seats since Sony call this thing a coupe. Though in my opinion at least, I do believe that there is room to five if sony removes the rear console between the two seats at the back. Build quality is also pretty good too, though the reason why is because this thing is made in Austria.
The Performance Isn’t Too Shabby Either.
The Vision S 1 has 544hp and it will hit 60 in just 4.8 seconds. That is pretty fast if you ask me, and flat out this car can do 149 mph which is pretty respectable for an electric car. The car is heavy though since it weighs over 2 tonnes. This is all due to the battery malarkey etc.
The car is all-wheel-drive and features double wishbone suspension, so the handling shouldn’t be that bad. I don’t think though that this car will be as fast as say a Tesla Model 3 whatsoever. That car in all honesty is very sporty. The Sony though is a lot more luxurious than other cars on the market.
To Conclude:
The Sony Vision S One and Two are cool cars. They look good, they look great inside and they offer a lot of tech. Sony has said multiple times that they will not produce these cars but that’s a lie since they are allowing test drives of these things on road at motor shows.
We could well see Sony enter the car industry by the end of the year since they already have a relationship with Magna who will build the car in their Austria plant. Prices will probably be a tad higher than the Model 3, but with government incentives, etc it could be somewhat competitive.
Sony will be the first already existing mainstream tech brand to ender the car industry. Apple has plans to but we have no idea when they actually will commit. If Sony does enter the car industry, maybe that will be enough of a push to get Apple in too. Who knows?