Honda N-One launched, inspired by N360 of 1967

Here’s a cute new one, the Honda N-One that has just gone on sale in Japan. The N-One is a five-door hatchback kei-car and is the third member of the new N Series mini-vehicle family, following the N Box and N Box +.

Doesn’t take an expert to note that the N-One is inspired by the Honda N360 of 1967, the first mass-produced Honda mini passenger car. The N-One sees Honda go back to its M/M (man maximum, machine minimum) concept, the starting point of Honda automobile design. They’ve shown something like this before, check out the EV-N Concept from Tokyo 2009.

The N-One is powered by a 660 cc DOHC engine, which can be had in naturally aspirated or turbo forms. Honda says that the NA engine achieve fuel economy that is 20% higher than the 2015 fuel economy standard, while the turbo does 10% better. The headline FC figure is 27 km/l in the JC08 mode. This is achieved with a CVT gearbox – no manual transmission is available for the N-One.

Honda N-One launched, inspired by N360 of 1967

As with most cars in Japan, buyers can choose from FWD or 4WD. Honda says that the turbo engine has performance equivalent to a 1.3 litre engine. No performance figures were given, though.

The N-One, which comfortably accommodates four adults according to Honda, is said to have “stable driving performance and excellent quietness” thanks to a lightweight and highly-rigid body plus exclusively-developed suspension. Safety wise, the N-One comes with Emergency Stop Signal (blinks hazard lamps during sudden braking), VSA, Hill Start Assist and side curtain airbags.

There are 11 colours and five two-tone combinations for the N-One. Cute, no? To view the original Honda N360 alongside its classic siblings, check out our gallery post from the Honda Collection Hall, Twin Ring Motegi.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with myTukar.