The Honda Super-N, a pint-sized electric hatchback inspired by the 1980s City Turbo II, is officially confirmed to go on sale in the UK this July with a starting price of under £20k.

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Designed as a spiritual successor to the discontinued Honda e, the Super-N brings Japan’s famous ‘kei car’ spirit to British roads with compact dimensions and a focus on urban fun.

Engineered on the lightweight platform of the N Series ‘Kei’ car range sold in Japan and measuring just 3.4m in length, the Super-N gets a retro-cool exterior design with a wide stance, larger bumpers and eye-catching aero ducts.

Battery details aren’t out yet, but the Super-N is expected to come with a pack of around 30kWh. What has been announced is that the dinky EV will have a WLTP combined range of 128 miles and a city-mode driving range of 199 miles.

Performance gets a shot in the arm with a dedicated ‘Boost Mode’, upping output from 64hp to 95hp. By keeping the Super-N as one of the lightest EVs on the market, Honda’s engineers have focused on agility. This is combined with a simulated seven-speed transmission and an Active Sound Control system for an “engaging engine sound”, giving the “instant response of an EV with the strong emotional connection of driving a combustion engine vehicle”.

We’re also told that the uprated suspension and chassis has been tuned by Honda engineers to bring enhanced dynamic performance to the compact EV segment. The carmaker says the Super-N has undergone rigorous testing in Japan and the UK to ensure the handling feels as sharp as the new EV looks.

The cabin blends comfort with retro flair, featuring enhanced seats redesigned for superior support. In a nod to the original City Turbo II, the interior is finished with distinctive blue accents. This theme continues into the night with ambient dashboard lighting that glows a cool blue, switching to a vivid purple when Boost Mode is selected.

Super-N customers will be able to choose from a wide range of exterior colours and customisation options. These will include the availability of a two-tone specification that includes a contrasting gloss black finish for the roof panel and rear spoiler, plus a number of distinctive body graphics.

Michael Doyle, head of automobile, Honda UK, said: “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.”