See all Motoring News Born, the first fully electric vehicle from CUPRA offers distinctive sporty styling, a 500 kilometre-plus electric range and a chassis designed for driving engagement. The CUPRA Born marks a new era of electrification for the brand, joining plug-in hybrid variants of the CUPRA Leon, CUPRA Leon Sportstourer and the CUPRA Formentor in the brand’s electrified portfolio. It is the first model to be delivered to customers that is net neutral for CO2, using renewable energy sources in the supply chain while remaining emissions are offset by certified environmental projects and investments.
Designed and developed at CUPRA’s headquarters in Barcelona, the CUPRA Born is produced at the Zwickau plant in Germany. Expected to hit Irish showrooms in early 2022, the Born will be followed by the all-electric Tavascan in 2024 and an urban electric car in 2025.
The CUPRA Born’s electric powertrain is available in a choice of 150PS (110kW), 204PS (150kW) and a 231PS (170kW) e-Boost pack with the latter accelerating from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds and it comes with larger front brakes and 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. Three battery options - 45kWh, 58kWh and 77kWh deliver ranges of 350km, 424km and 540km respectively. When charged on a 170kW network, the Born can go from 5% charge to 80% charge in 35 minutes. It can also charge with 100km of range in as little as seven minutes
Power is delivered to the rear wheels, producing a sportier feel and a more engaging driving experience. Built on Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB platform, it is quick to change direction and agile to drive, it combines a MacPherson strut suspension at the front with an advanced five multi-link design at the rear. When equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), it rides 15 mm lower in the front and 10 mm lower in the rear.
The electric motor is located above the rear axle while the battery sits low between the front and rear axles, delivering a low-slung centre of gravity and almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Five driving modes - Range, Comfort, Performance, Individual and CUPRA (e-Boost only) - adapt to the driver’s needs. Assistance systems include Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Travel Assist, Side and Exit Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Emergency Assist and Pre-Crash Assist. All delivered via an augmented reality head-up display that projects key information onto the windscreen to avoid driver distraction.
In keeping with the CUPRA philosophy, performance is matched by style. The front end is bursting with character, from the standard LED lighting to the dynamic bonnet creases and eye-catching copper CUPRA badge. Six colour choices are available - Vapor Grey, Glacial White, Geyser Silver, Rayleigh Red, Quasar Grey and the exclusive Aurora Blue. Alloy wheel designs (from 18” to 20”) include aerodynamic inserts and copper accents. Contrasting C-Pillars have a floating design while puddle lights beam the CUPRA logo on to the ground from door mirrors. The high-end finish is complimented by LED lights that run “coast-to-coast” at the rear of the car.
The dynamic nature of the Born continues inside with a driver-focused cockpit and 12” infotainment system tailored to our increasingly digital lifestyles. Users can access online services, an ecosystem of downloadable apps and service features as well as remote access and charging via the My CUPRA app or charge their mobile devices using the standard wireless QI charger.
CUPRA’s environmental commitment extends well beyond the electric powertrain with standard bucket seats that use SEAQUAL Yarn made from upcycled marine plastics and door panels and arm rests made from Dinamica®, another recycled material. “We look forward to the arrival of our first fully electric CUPRA, the Born in March of next year, said Niall Phillips, Brand Director for SEAT & CUPRA in Ireland. The new model is proof that electric cars can set pulses racing, with an impressive all-electric range of more than 500km it is a real game -changing car for the CUPRA brand. It’s environmentally conscious but at the same time dynamic and exciting”.
The CUPRA Born will start from €31,440* including the SEAI grant and VRT relief for the 45 kWh battery version. The 58 kWh will start from €35,550* and from €39,000* on the e-boost trim. And lastly the 77kWh with e-boost will start from €42,650*. All pricing includes the SEAI grant and VRT relief.