Electric Affordability — Honda Super-N available from £18,995

Honda will add an affordable electric city car to the market when order books open for its Super-N in the UK on June 22nd.

Available from £18,995, the Super-N takes inspiration from the City Turbo II car from the 1980s and shares the same lightweight platform from the popular N Series ‘Kei’ car range sold in Japan.

Exterior

Inspired by the City Turbo II, the exterior design of the Super-N features a wide stance, flared wheel arches, and considered aero ducts.

Those buying can choose from a wide range of exterior colours, including the Boost Violet Pearl seen here and two-tone finishes with a contrasting gloss black roof panel and rear spoiler.

Powertrain

The most fun to be had in the Super-N will hinge on its ‘BOOST Mode’, which increases the power output of its compact e-Axle from 47kW to 70kW, and delivers a 0-62mph time of 10.0 seconds. The Super-N is a lot lighter than most EV models at 1,097kg and is powered by a 29.6kW lithium-ion battery, which can be charged to 80% in half an hour.

Its combined range is listed as 128 miles; however, in the city where the car is best suited, Honda says it should provide 199 miles of range.

Interior

Inside is based on the Honda N-Series kei-car and features bolstered front seats that provide greater support and comfort. Despite the 3,599mm length and 1,573mm wide dimensions, there is room for four adults to ‘sit in comfort’. The seats can also be folded in multiple ways thanks to Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’ configuration and increases the luggage space from 162 litres to 967 litres, one of the largest in the A-segment.

Distinctive blue highlights pay homage to the original City Turbo II and are complemented by ambient lighting on the dashboard that changes from blue to purple when BOOST Mode is selected.

Technology

The Super-N comes with all the modern tech you’d expect from a Japanese model, with wired and wireless smartphone mirroring both enabled by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

There is also a Bose sound system comprising eight speakers and a 20cm subwoofer that’s included as standard. The system has apparently been tuned ‘precisely for the interior’s dimensions and acoustics’ for a deep and rich bass response.

For something more automotive to listen to, Honda has combined the car’s unique simulated seven-speed transmission and Honda’s advanced Active Sound Control system to create an engaging engine sound to give the feel of driving an ICE vehicle.

“It delivers a sense of excitement the moment you see it”

Michael Doyle, Head of Automobile, Honda UK, said:  “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.”

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Honda