Cupra Born (2021). All the details on the 100% electric sports car

[Mis à jour le 09/09/2021] Should we still present Cupra? The sports brand of the Volkswagen group, independent since 2018 and which until now rebadged Seat models, is gradually emancipating itself with a range of vehicles in its own right. After the Formentor, here comes the Born. Unlike the SUV, only offered as a plug-in hybrid, the compact is 100 % electric. It is the first of its kind in the catalog of the Spanish firm.

The Born is the cousin of the Volkswagen ID.3. Originally, when it was presented in 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show, it carried the Seat logo and was named El Born, named after a district of Barcelona. A few years later, we find the model under the colors of Cupra with a more sporting vocation to stand out from the current offer within the Volkswagen group. In 2022, it will be joined by a supercharged version of the ID. 3 called GTX and whose precursor prototype is promising with more than 300 hp (82 kWh battery), 200 kg less on the scale and all-wheel drive. 0 to 100 km / h is called for in 5.3 s.

A shark look

For the Iberian model, it all starts with a racy look thanks to tighter lines, lower ground clearance (- 2 cm) and larger wheels. The sharp LED optics combined with a very thin grille and a plunging and ribbed hood give the Born shark look. The shield inherits a wide opening highlighted with a copper border. This color, Cupra’s distinctive mark, is also found in the various logos. At the rear, on the tailgate, it even comes with carbon details. Stern where there is a large diffuser (the license plate is positioned just above) and an imposing spoiler in the extension of the roof line. The rear pillar, which gives this floating side to the roof, is not decorated with a sticker. The plastic part has been machined to form these small diamond patterns. Unlike the ID.3, the Cupra Born inherits a light strip between the lights.

A large compact

The sills of the electric sports car have not been forgotten. In addition to the fact that they are offered in a color different from that of the body, they inherit small deflectors to optimize aerodynamics. If the Cupra Born shares its base with its German cousin, it is 6 cm taller than the latter and reaches 4.32 m thanks to its more prominent shields. Regarding the width (1.80 m) and the wheelbase (2.77 m), however, no change. The boot space is also similar: 385 l bench seat in place. Once folded down, it does not offer a flat floor.

As mentioned above, the Iberian compact has larger wheels. The tires can reach 235mm wide, and the size of the rims oscillate from 18 to 20 inches. What penalize the comfort? It will be necessary to judge by the end of the year on the occasion of the first road tests, especially as the Born benefits from a sports suspension with controlled damping.

A neat sporty interior

For this static presentation, we took our seats on board. The back seat is comfortable and the seat long enough to support the thighs. Roominess is worthy of an upper segment car, and the lack of a service tunnel allows three people to sit on the bench. The central plaza is a little firmer, but not uncomfortable. Passengers do not benefit from any aerator. On the practical side, Cupra has just installed USB sockets to charge tablet or smartphone.

In addition, the panoramic roof (non-opening and optional) is appreciable, since it allows to offer more light to a rather dark cabin if one chooses the blue upholstery (Dark Blue). This combines alcantara with a neoprene-like fabric. This microfiber, made from plastic waste extracted from the oceans, feels strange to the touch but not unpleasant. It is also found at the level of the central console, positioned much higher than in the ID.3 and which allows to delimit perfectly the space between the driver and the passenger. The gear selector (D, N or R) is located behind the steering wheel.

A connected environment

The driver is installed in a wraparound bucket seat grafted as standard. In front of him is a sleek dashboard made up of two screens; the first, 5.3 inches, includes all the on-board instrumentation, while the second 12 inches displays all the functionality of the multimedia system. A large head-up display in augmented reality completes the range.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel accented with copper stitching has two buttons. The first is used to engage the different driving modes (four in total), the second to draw all the essence of the most powerful engine (231 hp). The Cupra Born, which benefits from a firmer suspension, also receives improved braking (larger brake discs). The brand has not yet revealed the details of the equipment but it should be more or less modeled on that of the ID.3, with in particular a catalog provided of driving aids (predictive adaptive cruise control, reading system panels, blind spot detector, 360 ° camera, etc.), a voice control system (which we call with the keywords “hola, hola”), a 3D GPS, an induction charger or even compatibility wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

More watts!

As you can see, the two compacts have a lot in common. And it continues under the floor, where we find a range of batteries and similar powers.

“The Cupra Born VZ will have a temporary e-boost occasionally increasing its power from 204 to 231 hp“

The Cupra Born has three battery capacities (45, 58 and 77 kWh) and a motor (installed on the rear axle) offering three power levels: 110 kW (150 hp), 150 kW (204 hp) and a new version of 170 kW (231 hp) but it will only be a temporary e-boost. The latter will be called Cupra Born VZ and can be associated with the two largest batteries, with a choice of:

• top-notch performance: 0-100 km in 6.6 s
• or an optimized range: 540 km according to the WLTP cycle

^{* available from 2022}

The Spanish manufacturer assures that the transmission of power to the rear axle and the 50-50 weight distribution favor the sporty character of the model whatever the version. Batteries compatible with fast chargers (125 kW) can recover 100 km in 7 minutes, and only 35 minutes are enough to recover 80% of the battery.

TO READ. Cupra Born VZ (2021). Boost to 230 hp for the Spanish ID.3!

A range and prices to know

For those who want to ride in an electric vehicle with character, the Born is a must. With it, Cupra plays the card of the compact electric sports car and directly targets the Tesla Model 3, its only real rival at the moment. The American, less dynamic in the look, however claims better performance (range or 0 to 100 km / h).

It is also much more expensive. Where a Model 3 exceeds € 40,000 (excluding bonus), the Iberian should offer an entry ticket of around € 35,000 (excluding bonus). Details of prices and equipment will be communicated later. Produced from September in Zwickau, Germany alongside the ID.3, the Cupra Born will join the dealerships in November 2021. The orders will be open from September for the V finish and from November for the VZ finish