Honda will launch the Super-N, a compact all-electric hatchback, in the UK starting in July. The vehicle is priced below £20,000 (approximately $26,800 USD). Built on the lightweight N Series kei car platform sold in Japan, the Super-N draws design inspiration from Honda’s 1980s City Turbo II. It pairs a small footprint with a performance-oriented driving mode aimed at the entry-level EV segment.
Highlights
- Sub-£20,000 starting price (~$26,800 USD) positions the Super-N against rivals like the Dacia Spring, Renault Twingo, and Volkswagen ID.1
- Boost Mode raises e-Axle output from 47 kW to 70 kW (approximately 94 hp) with a simulated seven-speed transmission and synthetic engine sound
- 199-mile city range and 128-mile combined range from an estimated 30 kWh battery pack (manufacturer estimates; no EPA-certified figures available)
- UK-tuned suspension and chassis calibrated through testing on British and Japanese road surfaces
Powertrain and Boost Mode
The Super-N uses a compact front-mounted e-Axle producing 47 kW in standard mode. Activating Boost Mode increases output to 70 kW with 162 Nm of torque.
Honda pairs Boost Mode with a simulated seven-speed transmission that delivers shift sensations through the drivetrain. An Active Sound Control system generates a synthetic engine note, aiming to replicate the emotional feedback of a combustion powertrain.
At roughly 1,300 kg, the Super-N is among the lightest EVs currently offered in Europe. Honda says the low curb weight contributes to responsive handling in urban environments.
Range and Efficiency
Honda quotes a city-mode range of 199 miles and a combined range of 128 miles. The battery capacity is estimated at approximately 30 kWh based on the Japanese-market N-One E on which the Super-N is based.
Note: These range figures are manufacturer estimates. No EPA-certified range data is available. The city-mode figure likely reflects low-speed urban driving conditions and should not be compared directly to WLTP or EPA combined ratings.
Design and Interior
The exterior features a widened stance, enlarged bumpers, and aero ducts that reference the 1980s City Turbo II. At just 3.4 meters long with a 2.5-meter wheelbase, the Super-N is shorter than most European A-segment hatchbacks.
Inside, Honda fitted supportive seats with blue accent stitching as a nod to the original City Turbo II. Ambient dashboard lighting shifts from blue to purple when Boost Mode is engaged. Two-tone exterior finishes and body graphics will be available as customization options.
Chassis Tuning for UK Roads
Honda engineers calibrated the Super-N’s suspension through extensive testing across varied road surfaces in both Japan and the UK. The company says the chassis setup prioritizes agile handling over ride comfort, consistent with the vehicle’s performance-oriented positioning.
Market Context
The Super-N is Honda’s second attempt at a compact EV for the UK market. The previous Honda E, which was discontinued in 2023, carried a starting price of roughly £37,000 and offered limited range. The Super-N addresses both criticisms with a substantially lower entry price and competitive urban range.
In Japan, the vehicle is sold as the Super-One. A naming conflict with a UK karting league required the rebrand for the British market. Honda has confirmed availability in the UK and select European and Asian markets but has not announced plans for US sales.
Michael Doyle, Head of Automobile at Honda UK, said: “The Super-N promises to bring Honda’s ‘Joy of Driving’ and the thrill of EV performance to a whole new audience. With its iconic looks, driving dynamics tailored to UK roads, and unique features such as BOOST Mode, every aspect of this model has been engineered to bring exhilaration and fun to every journey, no matter how short. Yet despite its focus on driver excitement, it retains all the traditional Honda values of practicality, efficiency and everyday ease-of-use, alongside an all-electric range that is ideally suited to urban driving or the average daily commute.”
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