Honda's Playful New Super-N EV Arrives in the UK from Under £20,000
Honda is set to launch its new compact electric vehicle, the Super-N, in the United Kingdom this summer, with prices starting from under £20,000. The retro-inspired city car promises an urban range of up to 199 miles and includes a unique Boost mode for enhanced performance. According to Steve Fowler, Electric Vehicles Editor, the model will go on sale in July 2026, blending nostalgic design with modern electric technology.
Retro Design Meets Modern Electric Innovation
The Super-N draws heavily on the spirit of Honda's 1980s City Turbo II, featuring boxy proportions and distinctive aero details that give it a playful, almost cartoon-like presence. Honda states that the styling aims to create emotional engagement, referencing Japanese design concepts that focus on anticipation before driving. Inside, the cabin continues this theme with supportive seats, retro cues, and modern touches like blue accents nodding to the original City Turbo II.
Ambient lighting changes from blue to purple when Boost mode is activated, adding to the car's character. Buyers can personalise their vehicles with a range of exterior colours, including two-tone options with contrasting black roof finishes and additional graphics.
Performance and Range Tailored for Urban Driving
At its core, the Super-N features a compact electric drivetrain delivering between 63bhp and 94bhp, depending on whether Boost mode is engaged. This system temporarily increases power output to its maximum while introducing a simulated seven-speed transmission and artificial engine sound through Honda's Active Sound Control. The goal is to combine the instant response of an electric motor with a more traditional, engaging driving feel.
Honda claims the Super-N will manage up to 199 miles of range in city driving, with a combined figure of 128 miles, positioning it as an urban-focused EV ideal for daily commuting and shorter journeys. Its relatively low weight, touted as one of the lightest in Europe, contributes to both efficiency and responsive handling.
Engineering and Driving Dynamics
The chassis and suspension have been specially developed to enhance driving dynamics in a typically conservative segment. Honda engineers conducted extensive calibration work across different road surfaces in Japan and the UK, aiming to deliver an entertaining driving experience. The Super-N is based on Honda's lightweight N Series 'Kei' car platform from Japan but has been tuned specifically for European roads, including testing in the UK.
Market Position and Executive Insights
Michael Doyle, head of automobile at Honda UK, commented: "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 more character into the growing market for small electric cars. While practicality and efficiency remain key, the company targets drivers seeking personality beyond the norm in this class. With its low entry price, distinctive design, and unusual features, the Super-N offers a fresh take on urban electric motoring when it reaches UK showrooms later this year.
