Honda Super-N will likely be one of many smallest automobiles on Britain’s roads when the £20,000 EV arrives this yr
Honda is bringing ‘Kei’ cars – the smallest models sold in Japan – to Britain this year.
And it might just be one of the cutest motors you’ll find in showrooms.
Honda will launch its new Super-N electric city car in the UK this summer with the aim to achieve what the discontinued Honda-e EV couldn’t quite manage: sell in high volumes.
The small, retro-inspired EV – which has an uncanny resemblance to the short-lived Nissan Cube – will go up against other tiny electric city cars on the market, including the new Renault Twingo, Hyundai Inster and BYD Dolphin Surf.
Unveiled at the Japanese Mobility Show late last year, the Super-N is ‘designed to transform mobility and deliver Honda driving fun,’ Honda says.
We don’t have a lot of information about the diminutive electric car yet, but this is what we know so far.
Honda will bring its new ‘Kei’ car inspired EV to the UK later this year and it is expected to cost around £20k
How big is the Super-N?
As said, the Super-N is heavily inspired by ‘Kei’ cars (pronounced ‘kay’), which are tiny – and affordable – vehicles that have been dominating Japan’s city streets for decades.
The Super-N is just 3.45 metres long, which is more than half a metre (60cm) shorter than the new Renault Twingo.
That is incredible compact, especially when you consider a UK parking space is typically 4.8 metres long.
Honda has gone for a sporty look on the inside with blue accents, lighting sequences, and two screens
Don’t expect spacious seats in the Super-N; there are only 4 seats but the boxy shape makes it good for taller passengers
Is it still practical?
Kei cars are – by tradition – still relatively roomy despite the tiny proportions.
And the Honda Super-N continues this Tardis-like theme as it promises to be spacious inside.
It’s only a four-seater to give each passenger enough space within the narrow dimensions.
But due to its upright shape, it offers more headroom than you’d expect, and the boxy windows lead to good visibility.
That said, it’s not meant for long journeys.
Honda hasn’t specified boot space, but it’s going to be very limited. Expect luggage room to be smaller than what you get in a Fiat 500.
With its boxy wheel arches and tiny rear spoiler, the sporty look is designed to appeal to young city types.
Inside, this sporty aesthetic continues with blue-accented asymmetrical seats, and a clean, horizontal instrument panel.
There’s a 9-inch central screen and a small driver’s display and buttons for functions like air-con and the heated seats – so it’s not without some plush features.
Range and performance
Honda hasn’t confirmed battery sizing yet, so we can’t give details on that, but the Japanese marque says it will have a range of 128 miles.
That doesn’t sound much, but the Super-N is designed to be used primarily in cities and towns.
Honda says the range can be eked out to 200 miles when driven only in urban environments where traffic rarely exceeds 30mph.
And don’t expect big performance figures either because the Super-N is powered by a single 64hp electric motor.
A ‘boost’ button will provide a short burst of additional 31 horses for when drivers need to pick up speed more quickly.
The 0-to-60mph hasn’t been confirmed, though we don’t expect it to be setting any EV records.
Figures are still somewhat up in the air but it will come with 128 miles of range and 64hp
Pricing and dates – when can you get your Super N?
The Super-N goes on sale in Britain this summer.
It’s a tiny car and prices are expected to therefore be around £20,000.
This will make it one of the cheapest EVs in the UK, priced close to the Hyundai Inster and Renault Twingo – though around £6,000 more than a Dacia Spring EV.
CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST
