Honda Super-ONE Electric Car Officially Launched with a Price of Rp300 Million

Honda presents the Super-ONE tiny car, can it compete with similar cars that have already been on the road? We'll just have to wait. (Photo: Honda)

JAKARTA - Making small electric cars that are attractive and still affordable is still a big challenge for many automotive manufacturers. The expensive battery price often makes entry-level electric cars look ordinary and have little character.

However, Honda is trying to break that assumption with the arrival of its latest electric hot hatch called Super-ONE. This car is officially marketed in Japan, and is prepared to launch into the global market in the near future.

Honda carries a concept of a small electric car with an aggressive appearance and a price that is still friendly on the pocket. Super-ONE is built using Honda's N-Series lightweight platform which was previously used for urban cars in Japan.

However, the manufacturer made major changes to its architecture by presenting a special chassis, wider wheelbase, and a body design that looks more muscular. These changes make this car have a lower and more stable driving position than a typical city vehicle.

Launching from Arena EV, Monday, May 25, the dimensions are also very compact with a length of only 3,395 mm, even much smaller than the latest Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI. In terms of performance, Honda equips the Super-ONE with an electric motor that takes energy from a 29.6 kWh battery.

In standard conditions, this car produces 63 hp or the equivalent of 47 kW. Drivers can choose five driving modes consisting of ECON, CITY, NORMAL, SPORT, and BOOST. The BOOST mode is an interesting feature because it is able to increase power temporarily up to 93 hp or 70 kW.

Meanwhile, the CITY mode presents the one pedal driving function which allows the car to slow down to a full stop just by releasing the accelerator pedal. Honda also tries to bring the sensation of a gasoline-powered sports car on Super-ONE. This car is equipped with a simulated seven-speed transmission which is combined with an Active Sound Control system.

The technology mimics gear shifts, mechanical pauses, and exhaust sounds like a conventional car. Drivers can even operate virtual gears through a paddle shift behind the wheel.

Entering the cabin, the modern feel is immediately felt through the 9-inch infotainment screen which has been integrated with Google services. Honda also attaches a special sports seat to keep the body position stable when maneuvering in corners.

The audio sector is also a concern with the presence of the premium Bose sound system. This is the first time Honda has used the audio brand on its compact car. The audio system consists of eight speakers and a 13.1-liter subwoofer placed in the trunk.

For cruising range, the 29.6 kWh battery in the Super-ONE is capable of driving the car up to 274 km based on the WLTP standard. Fast charging is also available, allowing the battery to be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just about 30 minutes.

Although it is not the fastest performing electric car or the longest range, Honda's main strategy is on the selling price. In Japan, the Super-ONE is marketed starting at 3,390,200 yen or around Rp. 378 million.

Honda also ensures that this model will soon be available in the international market. In Great Britain, the car will be launched in July with the new name Honda Super-N. Prices in the UK are expected to start at under £20,000.

The banderol makes it much cheaper than some rivals in Europe, including the Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI which is predicted to be priced around 39,300 euros. In a similar price range, the closest competitor is only Dacia Spring, but Honda is believed to have more appeal thanks to the design and sporty character it carries.