Honda is attending next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to give its hot hatch a proper sendoff by showcasing the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition. It’s also bringing the new hybrid Prelude and the oddly shaped 0 SUV, which doesn’t quite resemble the Hondas we’re used to. Alongside these already-revealed models will be a new concept, pompously named the Super EV.
Although Honda is tight-lipped about the diminutive hatchback, we can’t help but wonder if it’s an indirect successor to the charming Honda e. Production of that pint-sized city commuter ended in January 2024, but it seems a follow-up may be in the works. The boxy shape and tall roofline evoke kei car vibes, particularly resembling the N-One sold in Japan.
9
It’s unclear whether the two are related, though perhaps not, as the N-One is strictly powered by a 658-cc three-cylinder gasoline engine. The Super EV has surprisingly bulging wheel arches and doesn’t appear any smaller than the Honda e. If it shares a similar footprint, it would be significantly longer than the N-One, which must stay under 3.4 meters (133.8 inches) per Japanese kei car regulations.
For context, the discontinued Honda e was half a meter (nearly 20 inches) longer. Honda calls this an A-segment car, so think Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, or the defunct Volkswagen up! Since the newcomer is electric, the funky Hyundai Inster is a more relevant competitor.
Despite being labeled a concept, the Super EV looks production-ready. Details such as the full-size mirrors, a functional lower air intake, and normal-looking wheels suggest Honda is serious about bringing it to market. A charging port is visible next to the covered badge, along with light and rain sensors located near the top of the windshield.
Typically, concepts are pared down and ride on oversized wheels to emphasize design, but that’s not the case here. Honda has gone with large, traditional door handles instead of flush-mounted ones. The horizontal slat in the otherwise closed upper grille might serve a cooling function. Though we only have a single image, the Super EV appears to sport a roof spoiler at the rear.
Elsewhere, the right-hand-drive concept carries a license plate, indicating that Honda has already been testing it on public roads in the UK and elsewhere. The “small, sporty model” appears to feature an infotainment screen protruding from the dashboard, as indicated by the rear of the tablet-style display.
Although the Honda e was cool, it was overpriced and offered a so-so range. We hope Honda has learned from past mistakes, and whatever this cute-as-a-bug tiny hatchback turns out to be, it’ll be cheaper and will go farther.
The purple wrap will come off during the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from July 10 to 13.