Honda is set to bring a new small electric car to the UK this summer, with the retro-inspired Super-N arriving in July priced from under £20,000.
Positioned as a compact EV with a focus on fun as much as efficiency, the Super-N draws heavily on the spirit of Honda’s 1980s City Turbo II, blending boxy proportions with modern electric underpinnings. The Super-N is based on the firm’s lightweight N Series ‘Kei’ car platform from Japan, but tuned specifically for European roads, including testing in the UK.
At its core is a compact electric drivetrain delivering between 63bhp and 94bhp, depending on whether the car’s headline feature – Boost mode – is engaged. This system temporarily increases power output to its maximum, while also introducing a simulated seven-speed transmission and an artificial engine sound through what Honda calls Active Sound Control. The idea is to combine the instant response of an electric motor with a more traditional, engaging driving feel.
Honda says the Super-N will manage up to 199 miles of range in city driving, with a combined figure of 128 miles. That positions it squarely as an urban-focused EV, aimed at daily commuting and shorter journeys rather than long-distance use. Its relatively low weight – Honda claims it will be one of the lightest EVs in Europe – is also intended to contribute to both efficiency and more responsive handling.
The chassis and suspension have been specially developed to enhance driving dynamics in what is typically a conservative segment. Honda engineers have carried out extensive calibration work across different road surfaces in both Japan and the UK, with the aim of delivering what the company describes as an entertaining driving experience in a small electric car.
The design is a big part of the Super-N’s appeal. It features pronounced bumpers and distinctive aero details that give it a slightly exaggerated, almost cartoon-like presence. Honda says the styling is intended to create a sense of anticipation before you even get behind the wheel, referencing Japanese design concepts that focus on emotional engagement.
Inside, the theme continues with supportive seats and a cabin that mixes retro cues with modern touches. Blue accents nod to the original City Turbo II, while ambient lighting changes from blue to purple when Boost mode is activated. Buyers will also be able to personalise their cars with a range of exterior colours, including two-tone options with contrasting black roof finishes and additional graphics.
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.”
Honda’s broader aim with the Super-N is to inject a bit more character into the growing market for small electric cars. While practicality and efficiency remain key, the company is clearly targeting drivers who want something with a bit more personality than the norm in this class.
With its relatively low entry price, distinctive design and a handful of unusual features, the Super-N looks set to offer a different take on urban electric motoring when it reaches UK showrooms later this year.
