One of the most exciting new car brands from Europe is preparing its Aussie assault, and we try one of its finest models.
There aren’t many EVs like the Cupra Born. This fast and sporty-driving five-seat battery-powered hatch also happens to be relatively affordable.
In Europe the Born costs less than similar-size EVs like the Nissan Leaf e+ and Hyundai Ioniq Electric, cars sold in Australia for $50,000 to $60,000. Neither can match the Born for fun factor or driving range.
Spanish brand Cupra, a sporty spin-off from the VW Group’s Seat outfit, will arrive in Australia mid-2022.
The Born is the first full-time EV to wear the company’s copper-coloured badge.
It should arrive late next year or early 2023.
Like other Cupra models, the Born is built on VW Group foundations – it’s basically a VW ID.3 with some Spanish spice. Though the ID.3 isn’t sold in Australia, it’s a huge hit in Europe, where it tussles with the Tesla Model 3 at the very top of the EV sales charts.
The ID.3 was designed from the beginning purely for battery power. Cupra uses the same body structure, chassis, battery packs and electric motors as the VW. But the new Born is no clone.
With a different nose, tail and interior, the Born has sportier visuals inside and out. It’s a sportier drive, too. The Cupra rides lower, its suspension and steering are retuned, and its multi-mode Dynamic Chassis Control system’s software is revised.
And there’s more to come. Next year the Cupra will offer more power than the VW. The optional e-Boost package briefly ups the output of the Born’s single rear-mounted motor to 170kW, or 20kW more than the ID.3. The option also includes larger front brakes and 19-inch wheels and tyres.
The e-Boost option will only be offered with the 58kWh or 77kWh battery packs. Unlike elsewhere in the world, Cupra aims to position itself in Australia purely as a performance brand. This means the most basic Born, with 110kW motor and 45kWh battery pack, isn’t likely to head our way. It’s simply not speedy enough.
But the quickest Born of all is certain to come. Optioned with e-Boost, this is the version with the lighter 58kWh battery pack. According to Cupra it can scoot from standstill to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. This is close to hot-hatch quick; the VW Golf GTI, for example, does 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
Compared to an ID.3 with an identical battery pack, the e-Boosted Born feels much livelier. It also handles the curves better than the VW and, despite its lowered suspension, rides more smoothly. On narrow and winding roads near Barcelona, the Born’s added agility and energy were obvious. It would have been even better with grippier tyres. Our test car didn’t have the optional wide-rubber package planned for release next year, well ahead of the Born’s launch in Australia.
The Cupra’s looks are appealing, too. Its restyled nose, along with its lower stance, adds some aggression and attitude. Inside, the changes include sportier front seats and a new steering wheel design. The standard seat covering material is Seaqual, made in Spain from plastic retrieved from the sea and recycled.
There’s practicality to go with the eco-cred. Born’s rear seat is roomy and its cargo compartment large-ish. The Cupra’s central screen, home to a fiddly-to-navigate but up-to-date infotainment system, is big and bright.
Driving range is better than the small EV average. With the 58kWh battery pack, the Born is good for a little more than 400km between charges according to the WLTP test standard. The 77kWh battery pack ups that to more than 500km.
The Born’s on-board AC charger can handle 11kW, so overnight charging from a home wallbox is speedy. For long journeys, the 58kWh battery can accept up to 120kW from a fast DC charger, while the 77kWh battery pack can take 170kW. What these numbers mean is that a little more than 30 minutes is all that’s needed to take the Born’s battery pack from 10 per cent to 80 per cent charged.
Cupra’s first EV is a surprisingly effective mix of German tech and Spanish spirit that’s should appeal to performance-loving Australians who are EV-curious.
CUPRA BORN VITALS
Price: $55,000 (est)
Motor: Single synchronous permanent magnet; 170kW/310Nm
Safety: Auto emergency braking, predictive adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, vehicle exit alert
Transmission: Single-speed; RWD
Efficiency: 15.5-16.7kWh/100km (WLTP Europe)
0-100km/h: 6.6 secs
Originally published as 2022 Cupra Born review: New Spanish car brand ready to make its mark
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