Small electric car inspired by the City Turbo II focuses on driving fun, urban size and a starting price of £18,995
Honda has opened orders in the United Kingdom for the new Super-N, a compact urban electric car that tries to move away from the image of a boring EV. With a starting price of £18,995, the model bets on an unusual combination in the segment: Japanese kei-car dimensions, styling inspired by the classic 1980s Honda City Turbo II and a driving mode that simulates gear changes.
The launch shows Honda’s attempt to make the electric car more accessible and emotional at the same time. Instead of focusing only on long range or large screens, the Super-N was developed to deliver a lighter, more fun and urban experience, something that speaks directly to those who use the car every day but still want some driving pleasure.
The main curiosity is the so-called BOOST Mode. When activated, it raises the output of the compact electric axle from 47 kW to up to 70 kW, reducing the 0 to 62 mph acceleration time from 14.51 seconds to 10 seconds. To reinforce the sporty feeling, the system also includes a simulated seven-speed transmission and artificial engine sound through Active Sound Control.
Although it is electric, the Super-N tries to recreate part of the emotional connection of old compact sports cars. The proposal recalls the spirit of the City Turbo II, known for its wide look and fun personality, but adapted to today’s reality of urban mobility, lower emissions and everyday use.
The visual detail that stands out the most is the bodywork with a wide stance, enlarged wheel arches, aerodynamic ducts and very compact proportions. The Boost Violet Pearl color reinforces the model’s identity, while the cabin uses blue ambient lighting, which changes to purple when BOOST Mode is selected.
Inside, the Super-N follows Honda’s philosophy of making the most of occupant space and reducing the volume dedicated to the mechanical components. Even at just 3,599 mm long and 1,573 mm wide, the model promises to accommodate four adults and offers the well-known Magic Seats, which allow different configurations of the rear seats.
The trunk offers 162 liters with the rear seats in use. With the seats folded in the largest configuration, capacity can reach 967 liters, an impressive figure for a car in the A segment. This is one of the points that helps explain why the Super-N is not just an urban toy, but also a practical option for daily commuting.
The lithium-ion battery has 29.6 kWh and offers a combined range of 128 miles under the WLTP cycle. In urban use, where a car of this size tends to spend most of its time, the estimate rises to 199 miles. The 50 kW DC fast charging allows the battery to reach 80% charge in about 30 minutes.
Honda also equipped the model with unusual features for an entry-level electric car. The list includes an eight-speaker Bose sound system, a 20 cm subwoofer, ambient lighting, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with wired and wireless connection, as well as the Honda SENSING assistance package as standard.
The Super-N does not try to compete with large long-range electric cars. It was born as an urban, light and compact car, designed for narrow streets, daily use and a low entry cost. The difference is that Honda added elements of fun, nostalgia and drivability to turn a small electric car into something with more personality.
According to Honda, the Super-N was tuned on British roads to offer more dynamic behavior. At just 1,097 kg, the model also stands apart from many modern electric cars, which tend to be heavier because of larger batteries.
With the Super-N, the Japanese brand seeks to recover a simple idea: small cars can also be desirable. And by combining a competitive price, retro styling, practicality and an almost playful BOOST mode, the new electric car could become one of the most curious options
Source and images: Honda UK. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
