The Honda Super-N electric city car will make its debut as a new entry-point into the Honda range when it goes on official sale in July, it has been confirmed.
The quirky city car is pitched as a compact EV to rival the likes of the Dacia Spring and Hyundai INSTER with its sub-£20,000 price tag, while offering high-end technology, including a BOOST Mode that improves performance.
The Super-N is based on the Honda N Series ‘kei’ car range sold in Japan, a style of car built to strict domestic guidelines in terms of dimensions and engine size.
Inspired by the Honda City Turbo II of the 1980s, the Super-N features what Honda dubs an e-Axle, which generates between 47kW and 70kW (63bhp and 94bhp), depending on the use of the BOOST Mode.
In addition, the Super-N gets a simulated seven-speed transmission with Active Sound Control, which produces an engaging engine sound, which Honda says delivers ‘the instant response of an EV with the strong emotional connection of driving a combustion engine vehicle’.
At only 3400mm in length, the Honda Super-N will be one of the smallest cars on sale in the UK when it does hit the road, though its tall stature and clever packaging details – such as a variation on the ‘Magic Seats’ that can be found in the Jazz – are designed to make it feel larger.
Inside, the Super-N gets distinctive blue highlights that pay homage to the City Turbo II, while ambient lighting bathes the dashboard in a cool blue light at night, changing to rich purple when BOOST Mode is selected.
Despite its small size, the Super-N promises range of up to 199-miles (WLTP) in city mode, though combined range is listed at 128-miles.
What is a Kei Car?
The term ‘kei car’ is short for “keijidōsha”, which translates as ‘light automobile’ in Japanese, and is used to describe a set of government guidelines that regulate a model’s length, engine displacement and horsepower.
The special category was introduced to encourage Japanese people into smaller cars within the densely populated nation.
As such, a model built within these guidelines offer Japanese people benefits in terms of tax and economy, which helps explain why many small Japanese-market models are so short but tall so as to maximise interior space.
Traditionally these models rarely make it overseas because their small engine sizes and dimensions are less desirable in other markets.
However, the advent of electric power and is flexibility for use in small, economical vehicles has prompted a re-think at Honda, leading to the development of the Super-N.
The Honda Super-N is effectively a replacement for the short-lived Honda e, a sub-compact electric hatchback that won fans for its futuristic styling and refinement but was considered too small for its price tag.
Fast-forward a few years and electric technology has evolved enough to encourage several manufacturers to harness its potential in compact, city-orientated vehicles.
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