Do you remember the Honda N Concept_4 from last year's Tokyo Motor Show? Well, what you see pictured here is the final production version of the small hatchback that is slated to go on sale in Japan this fall.
Sourced from a leaked Japanese market brochure, these scanned images reveal the exterior and interior of the new Honda that will probably rival the likes of the Fiat 500 in the city car segment.
Note that we are not entirely sure about the name, which we translated to N-One (or N-1) from Japanese.
The cosmetic changes over the original N Concept 4, itself a follow up to the 2009 EV-N study, are restrained and include the regular head- and tail lamp fixtures (instead of LED units), and the redesigned tail gate that now sports a thick decorative chrome strip right above the license plate holder.
The styling of the N-One harks back to Honda's original N series of kei-cars from the 1960s and 1970s, and especially the N360, built between 1967 and 1972.
Inside, the N-1 appears less retro with the lower half of the dashboard being almost identical to the one found on Honda's recently launched N Box +, while the upper part is different.
The parts sharing with the JDM N Box + continues underneath the body as the two models use the same platform and running gear.
We don't have any information on the engine choices, but we expect the N-1 to be offered in Japan with Honda's 660cc three-cylinder petrol engine in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions linked to a CVT driving the front- or all-four wheels.
At last year's Tokyo Motors Show during the presentation of the concept model, Sho Minekawa, Honda Managing Officer and CEO for regional sales in Japan, said that he expects the N Box + and the N-1 to help double the brand's mini-vehicle sales to around 280,000 units.
Honda has not said if it has any plans to offer the car in markets outside of Japan.
Many thanks to our Japanese tipster 福田隆二!
Photo credits: 福田隆二
18 Comments:
This brochure's been distributed to anyone who visited the JDM Honda dealership recently. Although its still before the official release, it's nothing "leaked".
This is just horrendous. Aside from an ugly design, it's an appliance. This poor little thing doesn't even stand a chance... potentially in other markets, that is. I don't know about its home market.
Japan has been building boxes for eons. This is much better looking than the Fiat and there is absolutely no doubt that the quality is superior to Fiat's (which is not hard to achieve).
You've obviously never been to Japan
Ummm, the Fiat 500 has won countless quality awards in Europe since its re-introduction a few years ago. Do your research before posting
Well, if we are receiving supposed said same quality in the US, then someone or several have been on the crack pipe in Europe handing out quality awards.The Fiat 500 was a vehicle I truly wanted to like, but its quality is subpar—at least in the States. Now, if we are receiving g a different model and the quality is higher in Europe—we are definitely receiving the shaft.
The US 500 is built only for the US..and is built on the cheap for the US
The euro 500 is better quality and a bit more pricey..
I have no idea about state side 500s quality, but the european one is top notch.
Probably the best car that reuse old style , much much better than Fiat 500 & Mini Cooper without doubt ... and of course better than Ford Mustang , Chevrolet Camaro & even the Dodge Challenger .
Just put the 1.2 90hp used in the Jazz and sell it in Europe. It would compete nicelly with Up!, Twingo...
Umm this... thing looks more terrible even than the Fiat Multipla! The 500 is awesome, especially the Abarth editions and i cant see how this japan frog is going to match it.
For both 2012 TrueDelta & JD Power has the Fiat 500 DEAD LAST in quality (tied with Smart). UK JD Power also had them in last place. Consumer Reports puts the car as 'don't recommend'. AutoExpress UK have them ranked 86th out of 100. What Car? in Europe scores the 500 'below average' on customer satisfaction. Its near unanimous.
Generally, the reviews, both in the US and Europe, has been that the Fiat is good-looking, drives-fine, but has some serious reliability and quality problems.
While small cars have generally failed in the US market. I think that the N-One might have a chance due to its unique styling.
If they can get this car to the US with a larger engine & price it around $13k. They might be able to carve itself out a nice niche.
Sure Fiats got a "sufficient" quality evaluation in Europe. But it's a different story in Japan and USA, where consumers measure on a much, much tougher standards. And that's why you see Fiats (and Renaults, Peugeots, etc) almost only in Europe when you can find Japanese brands all over the globe.
For example if a power window breaks down after three years, that's an automatic "Fail" under Japanese quality standards, where its only one "normal" occasion in EU market.
Will not be sold overseas K-CAR. The price is about half of the Fiat 500.
Combining it with the 1.2-litres 4-cylinder unit for Brio(the supermini for Thailand/India) makes this N-ONE mini as an ideal A-segment vehicle for European market as a core-rival for the Renault Twingo, I do assess.
Honda sells it in EU, but in small numbers...
i know the ukdm fiat 500 is still highly demanded car and there is still a waiting list for them at both of my local fiat dealers.... the quality is as good as every other fiat in the range... i know we have had both the grande punto and now the punto mylife and you feel like your in a more expensive car. equipment levels are high enough and engines are good enough.
the honda is a great looking car and something i would definatly go for if it came to the uk.
it puts its micro car competitors the vauxhall agila, chevrolet matiz, suzuki splash, toyota aygo, nissan and fiat panda to shame when it comes to looks.
its probably not fair on the little honda to put it in the category of things like the brand new vauxhall adam, fiat 500 and toyota iq because it does not look like its trying to compete in the high value 'fashion' car market. for honda to enter that market they would need more focus on styling and to make the car more of a half way between this and the jazz.
congrats honda on your great looking new release and please please please bring it to the uk with a little turbo and an manual box priced in the 6-9k mark you will be onto a winner!!
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