Honda’s Super-N compact EV is built on its Japanese N-Series kei-car platform and tuned on British roads. It uses a compact e-Axle delivering up to 70kW via a BOOST Mode, a 29.6kWh lithium-ion battery, 128-mile combined WLTP range, and 10-80% DC charging in 30 minutes, weighing just 1,097kg.
Honda has detailed the technical specification of its Super-N compact electric vehicle, which is built on the lightweight platform of the N-Series “kei” car range sold in Japan and has been tuned on British roads.
The powertrain centres on a compact e-Axle rated at up to 70kW. A selectable BOOST Mode raises output from 47kW to 70kW, cutting the 0-62mph time to 10.0 seconds against 14.51 seconds in Normal Mode. Honda is positioning low mass as the car’s key dynamic differentiator: at 1,097kg, the Super-N is substantially lighter than most EVs, which the company says makes it more agile and responsive.
Energy comes from a thin, lightweight 29.6kWh lithium-ion battery. Honda quotes a combined WLTP range of 128 miles, rising to a city WLTP figure of 199 miles, and a 10-80% recharge time of 30 minutes on a 50kW DC supply.
The car uses a simulated seven-speed transmission paired with Honda’s Active Sound Control system, which generates an engine note, with the stated aim of combining instant EV response with the feel of a combustion vehicle.
According to Michael Doyle, head of automobile at Honda UK, the model is the product of the company’s engineering culture.
“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,” says Doyle.
On packaging, the Super-N follows Honda’s “Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum” development approach. Despite measuring 3,599mm long and 1,573mm wide, it seats four adults. The “Magic Seats” configuration gives 162 litres of luggage space with the rear seats up, rising to 967 litres in the dive-down configuration, which Honda says is among the largest in the A-segment.
Chassis development included uprated suspension and tuning carried out on British roads. Standard equipment includes wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an eight-speaker Bose system with a 20cm subwoofer mounted under the boot, and Honda’s SENSING advanced driver assistance suite.
The Super-N is on sale in Great Britain from June 22, priced from £18,995. Styling references the 1980s City Turbo II, with a wide stance, flared arches and aero ducts, and the interior carries blue accents that shift to purple ambient lighting when BOOST Mode is engaged.
