Honda is set to add a smaller, more playful electric car to its UK line-up with the Super-N, a compact EV due to go on sale in July from under £20,000 (RM107,000 or US$27,000).
The new model is pitched as a city-focused EV with a stronger emphasis on driving enjoyment than most cars in this class usually attempt.
Honda said the Super-N is built to deliver the brand’s familiar “joy of driving” in a much smaller package, while still covering the basics expected of an everyday electric runabout.
It sits on the lightweight platform of Honda’s N Series kei-car range sold in Japan and takes visual inspiration from the 1980s City Turbo II. That influence shows up in the stance and details.
The car gets a squat, wide look, larger bumpers and prominent aero ducts, all of which give it a more mischievous appearance than the average compact EV.
A big part of the pitch is BOOST Mode.
Honda said this lifts output from the compact e-Axle from 47kW to 70kW, giving the Super-N a sharper, livelier feel when the driver wants it.
The car also uses a simulated seven-speed transmission and an Active Sound Control system to add a bit more theatre behind the wheel, even though it remains fully electric underneath.
Honda said engineers tested and calibrated the car on road surfaces in both Japan and the UK to better suit local driving conditions.
The company is also making a point of the Super-N’s light weight, saying this helps give it more responsive handling and a more entertaining character than many heavier EVs.
Range figures suggest Honda is aiming at day-to-day use rather than long-distance touring.
The Super-N is quoted with a city-mode range of 320km and a combined range of 206km, which should suit urban driving and the average commute.
Inside, the cabin carries over some of the retro flavour without going overboard. There are specially designed seats for improved support, blue detailing as a nod to the original City Turbo II, and ambient lighting that shifts from blue to purple when BOOST Mode is activated.
Honda will also offer a broad mix of colours and customisation options, including a two-tone finish with a gloss black roof and rear spoiler, plus body graphics for buyers who want something less plain.
