- Sony Honda Mobility has quietly introduced two new art cars.
- Created in collaboration with Matt Copson and Hajime Sorayama.
- Afeela 1 starts at $89,900 and is slated to arrive late this year.
Just days after Acura and Honda killed three upcoming EVs, Sony Honda Mobility quietly announced a new art car based on the Afeela 1. It was created in collaboration with Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama, who is best known for creating sexy robots.
That’s an unlikely combination, but it spawned the dull sounding “Afeela prototype tuned up by Hajime Sorayama.” The model was unveiled over the weekend at a museum in Tokyo celebrating the artist’s work.
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SHM didn’t say much about the art car, but noted it “embodies the concepts of light, transparency, and reflection.” That’s not a lot to go on, but it appears the model has been given a chrome wrap as well as special Sorayama badging. We can also see deep tinted windows as well as gray tires and blue lights.
In a brief statement, Sorayama said: “I’ve always been fascinated by machines, so it was a real pleasure to take part in designing a car. I aimed to give it an analog sensibility that hints at a near-future vision. I’m especially proud of the moiré effect on the wheels.”
Besides the art car, SHM used the event to launch Afeela’s first-ever apparel item. It’s a black silkscreen t-shirt that features layers of ink showing the car. The shirt costs ¥11,000 ($69.15) and will be offered in limited quantities at the museum.
A Second Art Car
Closer to home, SHM teamed up with artist and director Matt Copson to introduce a separate art car at Frieze Los Angeles. It’s been covered in a “reflective material… commonly found on emergency vehicles and signage.” As a result, it looks like it’s been coated in glow-in the dark silly string.
The car was accompanied by limited-edition tote bags and will eventually be shown at Frieze New York in May.
