Sony gave an all-out effort by launching many new products in CES 2022. Surprisingly, Sony also introduced its second prototype EV, the Vision-S 02, which is a SUV version of its first concept car.
The Vision-S 02 is a bigger sized Vision-S that was showcased for the first time in 2020. In addition to showcasing the Vision-S 02, Sony also confirmed that it would be establishing Sony Mobility, a new company that focuses on EVs.
▲ The white vehicle is the Vision-S, launched in 2020; the silver one is the Vision-S 02.
Let's compare the specs of the Vision-S 02 and Vision-S. Their relationship is very similar to the one between the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. In terms of the exterior design and shape, the two vehicles are nearly the same. However, the body length and height of the Vision-S 02 is longer and higher. The Vision-S 02 can also be modified into a 7-seater vehicle. Both vehicles use the same chassis and EV/cloud platforms.
Because the Vision-S 02's software and hardware frames are the same as that of the Vision-S, many of their specifications are expected to be the same. For example, the Vision-S 02, like the Vision-S, will use two 200 kW motors, and its driving range will likely be above 400 km. It is expected to go from 0 km/h to 60km/h in about 5 seconds. According to its dashboard display in the video, its energy consumption is about 320 Wh/km. Since this is a Sony car, the key highlight is not only going to be its driving specs, but also its in-car entertainment system. Let's take a look at it.
Inside the Vision-S 02's cabin, in front of the front seats, is a panoramic screen that extends from door to door. The rear seats each have an individual display, and the roof is a panoramic roof. The central armrest console is designed to be suspended. At the front end of the console is a haptic touch screen, which is similar to the type Porsche uses. It is used to set the air conditioning system.
▲ Sony's Vision-S 02's interior design.
The panoramic screen is made up of 5 screens. The outer most 2 displays might be digital side mirrors. The cluster display is in front of the driver's seat. The central display is the interface of the navigation system, and the passenger display is the interface of the entertainment system.
Let's take a look at the primary specifications of the hardware for the Vision S-02. Its seat capacity is 4 seats, but customers can request to add a third row of seats, which would bring the total number of seats to 7. Its wheelbase can reach 3,030 mm, and this factor ensures a comfortable cabin space. Like the Vision S, the Vision S-02 features an air spring system that is supported by a double wishbone suspension setup for the front and rear. Surprisingly, the weight of the car is only 2,480 kg. This is close to the upper limit of the legally allowed weight for a passenger car in Taiwan.
Among the many tech demos showcased by Sony, one is a video of a 5G remote driving test conducted in Germany. With its high-speed and low-latency transmission capabilities, the testing staffs in Tokyo were able to remotely control a Vision-S on a test course in real-time in Germany. The test car was able to successfully complete the entire test course, and it was controlled so precisely that it did not hit any of the traffic cones.
This 5G remote driving technology is still at the testing phase. By optimizing the coding and upgrading the software via over the air (OTA) updates, Sony is hopeful that the new technology will evolve to enrich people’s online and offline experiences. In the future, it might even be used to indirectly reduce drunk driving accidents.
What auto market observers are perhaps the most interested in at the moment is whether Sony will officially enter the EV market. So far, Sony has already announced two models of its EVs, but it has never specified whether it will mass produce them. The most important piece of news during CES 2022 is perhaps Sony’s announcement that it would launch a new EV company called Sony Mobility that would focus on developing EVs.
Will Sony start to mass produce and sell EVs? This will be one of the most interesting topics in the car industry in 2022.
(Photo credit: Sony)