First revealed in April, concrete details about the Honda Super-N’s UK launch are now finally here. According to the Japanese automaker, the new compact EV is due to arrive in UK showrooms in July and is positioned as an affordable, ‘fun’ alternative in the growing small EV segment. Based on the same lightweight platform as the N Series ‘Kei’ car range marketed in Japan, Honda’s answer to the Dacia Spring or Hyundai Inster has been reworked for the UK market with a wider stance, revised suspension and chassis tuning developed for British roads.
Power comes from a compact, front-mounted e-Axle paired with a 29.6kWh lithium-ion battery. In standard driving mode, the motor delivers 47kW, while a dedicated ‘BOOST Mode’ drives output up to 70kW. Honda states that this mode enables 0-62mph in 10 seconds, compared to 14.5 seconds in normal mode. All this translates to a combined range of 128 miles under WLTP, although Honda states that the battery provides an ‘urban’ range of 199 miles WLTP – highlighting that the compact EV is likely to spend ‘much of its time’ in cities.
In terms of dimensions, the Super-N measures 3.59m in length and 1.57mm in width, and weighs in at 1,097kg. It also features Honda’s popular ‘Magic Seats’, which enables users to fold the rear seats both up and down. With the seats up, drivers gain a max capacity of 162 litres in vertical luggage space in the backseat; when they’re down, available space increases to 967 litres.
On the outside, the Super-N features a bold exterior design which Honda states is inspired by the iconic 1980s City Turbo II model. It features flared wheel arches, ‘purposeful’ aero ducts, and a wide stance. Regarding the interior, the Super-N has bolstered front seats to offer increased comfort, as well as ‘cool blue’ highlights around the dashboard.
Michael Doyle, Head of Automobile, Honda UK, said: “Priced at just £18,995, the Super-N delivers Honda’s ‘Joy of Driving’ philosophy to more customers than ever before. Not only is this one of the most affordable small EVs available, it’s also one of the most fun. It’s been designed to embody the Japanese philosophies of Yukai and Tsukai, which translate as delight and exhilaration respectively, and as a result it delivers a sense of excitement the moment you see it.
“Ultimately, it’s a car that’s been developed by a group of passionate engineers that believe in Honda’s abilities to turn dreams into reality.”