Honda Super-N to go on sale in UK at sub-£20k
Hold off that Twingo order just a moment; Honda can do retro-themed city EVs as well
With the cancellation of the large EV project (at a cost of many billions), the end of Civic Type Rs as we know them in Europe and the collapse of tie-up talks with Nissan, Honda could really do with a good news story right now. And here it is: this is the production version of the Super-N, previewed last year with the Prototype (and a Goodwood appearance), a small EV that evokes the City Turbo II and which promises an ‘exciting and uplifting small car experience’. Honda has now confirmed that the Super-N will go on sale here in July and, more importantly, that it will cost less than £20,000. Long live the kei car!
That sub-£20k figure will buy a Super-N with a 64hp e-axle, that being the kei car horsepower limit in Japan that we all remember from Cappuccinos, Alto Works and Autozams of days gone by. But that’s not all, as 95hp can be unlocked for Super-N via the Boost mode, which sounds like a handy advantage in the traffic light grand prix over an 82hp Twingo. A maximum range of 199 miles is claimed in city mode, with a combined rating of 128 miles. So actually about the same as the old Honda e, albeit now at a much lower asking price, and with (perhaps) a greater tolerance of titchy EVs offering small ranges. It sounds just about acceptable, put it that way: the Twingo is rated at 163 miles, the Panda EV at 199 and the Hyundai Inster at 229.
So the Super-N won’t win on range, but it might convert buyers as far as fun is concerned. Because for the first time in a car like this, Honda is equipping its smallest EV with simulated gearshifts. We know how transformative that technology can be for the driving experience from cars like the N Hyundais, and the prospect of fizzing through seven ratios in a Super-N - complete with ‘an engaging engine sound’ from Active Sound Control - is quite an appealing one. Especially as this is reckoned to be one of the lightest EVs; there’s been plenty of UK testing too, so the claim of ‘enjoyable and engaging driving dynamics’ can be taken with a smaller pinch of salt than usual.
It isn’t only the exterior that’s inspired by the City Turbo II of the 1980s; the blue highlights inside are said to pay homage also. The matching ambient lighting turns purple when Boost is activated, in case any further incentive was required. In fact, Honda is fully leaning into the idea of the Super-N as a pint-sized Japanese tuner car with ‘a number of distinctive body graphics’ on the options list as well as a two-tone paint finish. You just know one will be on a set of tiny TE37s before the year is out.
Honda suggests that the Super-N will ‘redefine what is possible for a small EV’ thanks to how it looks, how it drives and an ‘infectious sense of fun’. For all its flaws, the e certainly demonstrated that Honda could make a desirable small EV that drove really well, so there’s cause for some optimism around the Super-N.
Honda UK’s Head of Automobile Michael Doyle 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.” Told you it sounded like good news. Expect exact prices for the Super-N soon. Or, for a sub-£20k Honda EV right now, this e has covered just 5,000 miles since 2024…
Love it but I often roll my eyes when people say stuff like you wouldn't want to do a long journey in one. In this that might actually be relevant.
The timing with MCM's latest video is uncanny. No Turbo 11 content for 40 years then bam, 2 articles or videos in a week.
Bose speakers? don't they know that that stands for 'Buy Other Sound Equipment'? Isn't Japan the home of decent hi-fi? Weren't Technics and Sony answering the 'phone that day? Even Sharp or Sanyo would be better than Bose.
I'd rather have a real one, here's mine. It has a much longer range and still works when its 50 years old.
Bose speakers? don't they know that that stands for 'Buy Other Sound Equipment'? Isn't Japan the home of decent hi-fi? Weren't Technics and Sony answering the 'phone that day? Even Sharp or Sanyo would be better than Bose.
I'd rather have a real one, here's mine. It has a much longer range and still works when its 50 years old.
te, so lets not get carried away thinking that absolutely everything with a Honda badge on it is a brilliant car. This is obviously at the more boring end of the spectrum, just like the e was, and that's fine.Looks good to me, but I suspect that the range just won't be enough, even for a second car. It's rated the same as the e and I found that quite frustrating, even when living in London. Living outside of London then made it a non-starter, you can easily use the whole range in a day without thinking.
The Twingo still looks like the one to have at this price point, that little bit of extra range would be very helpful indeed.
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