Spanish brand Cupra unveils Born EV with hot hatch cred

Fledgling Spanish brand Cupra has unleashed its first EV, the Born – and it’s got some hot hatch DNA pulsing through its modern design.

The Volkswagen-owned brand that is confirmed to launch in Australia in 2022 has shown off the rear-drive hatchback that shares plenty beneath the skin with the Volkswagen ID.3.

Utilising the electrical architecture and MEB platform of the ID.3, the Cupra Born has more of a performance focus, from its design to its positioning.

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“The Cupra Born is a game-changer in the electric market and the impulse of the company’s transformation,” said Wayne Griffiths, President of Cupra and Seat.

“Through its emotional sportiness, we want the next generation of young challengers to be part of this transformation.”

At 4322mm long, 1809mm wide and 1537mm tall it is marginally longer and taller than the ID.3. The Born is also fractionally larger than a Volkswagen Golf.

Like the ID.3, the Born will be manufactured in Germany and comes with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels through a reduction gear.

The interior has a modern flavour brimming with tech and some innovative material, including Seaqual that is made from recycled marine plastics and Dinamica suede-lookalike that includes recycled materials.

A 12-inch central infotainment screen hooks up to a smartphone app accessible via the onboard SIM.

There’s also a detailed head-up display available on some models.

The Cupra Born will be available in four drivetrain options, all of which make an identical 310Nm of torque.

The two most affordable models will come with a 45kWh battery pack. The basic version makes 110kW and 310Nm, good enough to hit 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

The more powerful version ups that to 150kW/310Nm and brings the 0-100km/h time down to 7.3 seconds.

Those numbers are familiar to buyers of the ID.3, but the Born steps it up further to ram home the sporty flavour.

An optional e-Boost performance pack increases the power for a total 170kW/310Nm.

Range or pace: the power is in your hands

Once you’ve ticked the box for the e-Boost pack you can choose to prioritise range or acceleration.

If you opt for a longer range you get a 77kWh battery good for a WLTP 540km and the dash to 100km/h is lowered to 7.0 seconds.

Or you can get a smaller 58kWh battery that saves weight, further lowering the 0-100km/h claim to 6.6 seconds. In the process the EV range is dropped to 420km.

Charging is done via AC charging or faster DC charging at up to 125kW, the latter only for the 77kWh battery. That allows a 5-80 percent charge in 35 minutes. No word yet on the charging capabilities of other models, although presumably they’ll mimic those of the Volkswagen ID.3.

Cupra is also offering an optional wifi and 4G connected Cupra Charger Pro that allows owners to program how much electricity is delivered and when.

Sportiness continues in the corners

The Born comes with adjustable Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) dampers that tweaks the ride.

It’s part of an intense focus on cornering ability designed to reinforce the performance focus.

Four drive modes – Range, Comfort, Cupra or programmable Individual – adjust various parameters, including the ride comfort.

And the Born will be offered with 18- or 20-inch wheels and tyres.

Cupra the performance division of Seat

For those who don’t know Cupra, it’s a spin-off from the Seat brand that was briefly sold here in the late 1990s.

Formed in 2018, Cupra is the performance division of the Spanish brand.

And Cupra is coming to Australia. In March this year Volkswagen Australia confirmed Cupra would go on sale here early in 2022.

“Volkswagen Group Australia is expanding,” Volkswagen Australia Managing Director Michael Bartsch said at the time. “With its unique models combining stimulating style and contemporary performance, CUPRA could scarcely be a range better bespoke to a certain Australian customer set.”

No word yet on which models will be available here, but the EV isn’t likely initially.

Cupra Born not for Australia … yet

The Born is yet another Volkswagen Group EV that’s on the wish list for Australia but a long way from making it Down Under.

“We’re interested in accessing all EVs,” said Volkswagen Australia general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger, who said the Born was currently not confirmed, suggesting it will not be part of the lineup when the brand launches here early in 2022.

“We’re going to be trying for everything we can [in the EV space].”

Pottinger again pointed to Australia’s lack of emissions targets as the reason the Cupra Born may not be prioritised for the Australian market.

“Markets where CO2 targets are mandated are going to be prioritised.”