Sony Vision-S 02 makes debut at 2022 CES

The Sony Vision-S 02 has been unveiled at the consumer electronics show CES in Las Vegas. It is the second prototype car from Sony and marks the company’s foray into the world of SUVs.

From the outside, the Vision-S 02 initially appears to be a run-of-the-mill SUV with familiar proportions and a typical shape. But, on closer inspection, some unusual details start to emerge, some of which are also present on the Vision-S 01 (Sony’s first concept car, a sedan, which was unveiled at 2020 CES). The retro oval-shaped headlamps are located on the same plane as the hood, above the upper mask, with the hood’s outline cutting an abstract outline around the curves before extending down to the front wheels. This is reflected on the bottom of the lamps with short lines in the body work pushing towards the centre of the car like eyelashes. The headlamps are dissected and connected by a thin LED strip running the width of the face.

A single sweeping line announces the nose, under which a large honeycomb air intake with a trapezoid shape sits between scooping vertical air intakes. The lines from the nose and intakes continue along the sides of the car, with strong grooves running through the door panels and fading just before the rear wheels. The belt line is also clean and clear, with a chrome strip connecting the body work to the large greenhouse and wrapping around the entire car.

The roof falls to join the short rear deck, shaped by a long, curved lip that extends from the shoulders and picks up from the shoulder line on the sides. The curve is accented by the lightbar, kept simple in its linear form, as well as a clean bumper stroke line that also continues from the lower groove on the door panels. There is also a large bumper with two fake exhaust outlets.

Inside, a seven-seat layout has been designed for families, although headroom may be at a premium in the two rear seats due to the sloping greenhouse. An enormous multi-screen area dominates the IP, stretching from A-pillar to A-pillar. It is underlined by the air vents and a narrow strip of wood veneer, which continues along the doors to create a sense of cocooning.

A tall centre console is placed between the front occupants, with a storage compartment and cupholders. It also features a small floating screen used for climate control. Housed in a bulky unit, this screen instantly looks dated in comparison to the giant multi-screen area embedded in the IP. Screens are also attached to the back of the two front and middle row seats. There is a console between the two rear seats too, complete with a rotatory dial to control screens and sound.

The Vision-S 02 is based on the same platform as the Vision-S 01. Sony has been testing the sedan on public roads across Europe since December 2020, putting its safety and UX systems under the microscope. It has also revealed plans to establish a separate company titled “Sony Mobility Inc.” in Spring 2022, which will be the basis for its entry into the EV market.