Cupra Born

The Cupra Born is a compact type electric car, which we had the opportunity to try in its classic Born V version, with its smallest battery L with a capacity of 58 kWh and a power of 204 horsepower. This is the competitor of the Volkswagen ID.3, but she shares the same Meb platform as the latter.

Video test – Cupra Born Vz XL: a real electric GTI ?

More power and autonomy, do they, however ? Maxime Fontanier came rather mixed from his test. Those who have been seduced for various reasons by this electric compact will however have to deal with its limits and perfectible ergonomics.

The model tried

For the Cupra Born, what the acronyms mean ” Vz ” And ” XL »» ? Mid-March 2023, the manufacturer offers three versions of the electric compact on its website. At the entry level, the Born v l. THE ” V “, it’s for ” Viajero »(Traveler) who wants to highlight the road skills. As for the “L”, it designates the small battery with an exploitable energy capacity of 58 kWh. This is the only pack proposed for this variation.

On the VZ (Veloz = fast), it is possible to opt for the upper XL endowment which offers 77 kWh useful. Between the V and the VZ, the maximum power goes from 150 to 170 kW (204 to 230 hp), for the same torque of 310 Nm. The top speed is also identical for the 3 versions: 160 km/h.

With similar dimensions (L x W x H = 4.32 x 1.81 x 1.54 m), the Cupra Born shares with its Volkswagen Id Cousin.3 The platform, the 150 kW engine, and the 2 58 and 77 kWh batteries of the 2023 vintage.

As standard, the VZ is distinguished in particular by stretching rear glazing and 19 -inch wheels (18 inches on the V) puts in 215/50. On the model tried, the Typhoon Black alloy rims gave way to Typhoon Copper (+ 265 euros), and the blue Aurore (+ 955 euros) was preferred to gray mist as standard.

Comfort relating to the rear

Behind the tailgate, the trunk offers a rather average volume of 385 liters, which can extend to 1,267 l by folding the 2/3-1/3 file from the bench. The floor will not be flat from start to finish. At the rear, due to the upper battery endowment, the hatch only releases a very modest sustainable barely usable.

Thanks to a wheelbase of 2.77 m, the 3 passengers will have a beautiful leg space. The one in the middle will be relatively well and comfortably installed thanks to the absence of a retractable armrest in its file, and a barely marked service tunnel.

Available at the rear, 2 USB-C sockets and chaplain storage. In rigid plastic from top to bottom, such as armrest, the latter cheap. For a compact car that can swallow a few hundred kilometers after recharge, it’s probably a bit of a shame.

Questionable ergonomics

Going from the steering wheel of a Volkswagen ID.3 To that of a Cupra Born, a motorist will immediately notice the more sporty treatment of the order post. Especially with the aluminum pedal and the specific steering wheel. On the latter, two buttons are well thought out of an inch: on the left to change driving mode, right to select the Cupra sports mode directly.

On the other hand, the general ergonomics of other orders is very questionable. If we stay on the steering wheel, for example, the keys on the branches are sensitive, just to touch to activate them. On the one hand it is not really practical by driving, but in addition the risk is important to activate it inadvertently with the palm of the hands.

Not really better, the pimples for lighting, all left of the dashboard. Aesthetically, the walking selector’s wheel is not unpleasant. But his handling is not extremely easy, especially to position himself in B mode. Which requires passing the hand behind the steering wheel.

Managing the rear windows by driving is no more intuitive. You must first press a sensitive key to indicate that we want to intervene on them, before activating the classic button. Not easy while driving.

Well housed at the front

The Cupra Born at our disposal benefited from the head -up display option with augmented reality (+ 1,050 euros). Well planted in the middle of the dashboard, the beautiful 12 -inch touch screen is compatible without connection with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. We noted during our test that the navigation system has received many improvements. Including the integration of a planner that allows you to choose the type of charging stations to offer.

The driver should appreciate the comfort of the bucket seats covered with a very pleasant recycled fabric. If he will undoubtedly share this impression, the passenger seated next to him may regret not to benefit from a height adjustment. Overall, the finish is pretty good, with stitching on the slightly padded dashboard. “” It’s better than in an ID.3 “, Esides Maxime Fontanier.

The counterports are of a nice drawing, with nubuck on the individual armrest and a large storage tray. We will regret the hardness of the rigid plastic on the top. In addition to the spacious glove box, the occupants will have small spaces to empty their pockets, cup holders, an induction charger present as standard, and USB-C sockets.

Cupra Born

Configure your Cupra Born vehicle or request a free trial.

Initially presented under the Seat coat of arms, the Born is finally marketed by the Premium Cupra brand. Based on the Meb platform of the Volkswagen group, it began its marketing at the end of 2021 and resumed many advantages of its cousin ID.3.

Design and characteristics of the Cupra Born

Inspired by a concept presented in 2019 in Geneva under the Seat badge, the Born finally migrated to Cupra. Now dissociated from Seat, the premium brand offers a series model close to the concept.

We obviously find the DNA of the Volkswagen ID.3, since it is the same modular platform. The batteries were placed very low to improve the center of gravity and the behavior of the compact. Its dimensions have evolved very slightly compared to its German cousin, with an increased length and a lesser height.

Motorization and power of the Cupra Born

The Cupra Born will be marketed with three different engines. The first will be a 110 kW version, or 150 horsepower. It can perform 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The second engine, which was also found on the Volkswagen ID.3, is that of 150 kW. This equivalent of 204 horsepower makes him do 0 to 100 in 7.3 s.

Finally, a more sporty version of the 150 kW is available. It initially displays the same power, but can enjoy a 20 kW boost. Its 170 kW, activated via a button on the steering wheel using the Cupra logo, allow it to perform 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Power	Couple	0 to 100 km/h
110 kW – 150 hp	310 Nm	8.9 s
150 kW – 204 hp	310 Nm	7.3 s
170 kW – 231 hp	310 Nm	6.6 s

Battery and autonomy of the Cupra electric compact

Relying on the MEB platform makes him take the same battery packs as his cousin ID.3. The small battery offers 45 kWh of useful capacity, giving the compact a range of 310 km at the entrance. This battery is only available with the 110 kW engine.

The second battery, available with the 150 kW engine and with that of 170 kW, offers 58 kWh of useful capacity. In fact, this translates into a range of 420 km in WLTP cycle. For the 170 kW version, it is possible to opt for a ranging pack which has a 77 kWh battery, for a range of 540 km.

Battery	Autonomy
45 kWh	310 km
58 kWh	420 km
77 kWh	540 km

Electric Born Cupra Born

All the information has not yet been revealed on the recharging of the Cupra Born. However, we know that continuous recharge can reach 125 kW for the 77 kWh battery. In this case, it can drop from 5% to 80% in 35 minutes.

At this speed, the Born recovers 100 km of autonomy in seven minutes. The other data were not revealed, but those of the ID.3 can guide us. It is likely that the smallest of the batteries can be recharged with a power of up to 50 kW, with option 100 kW.

The 58 kWh battery could have a load power of 120 kW at most. On the side of the load by alternating current, the integrated charger should allow a power reaching 11 kW on all the models.

CUPRA BORN features and technologies

The Meb platform offers the Cupra Born a more than correct place given its size. However, the extension of 6 centimeters compared to the ID.3 is not felt in the trunk, which always makes 385 liters, nor in the wheelbase which retains its 2.77 meters in length.

Cupra announces having worked the chassis until the smallest detail, and the Born receives sports suspensions with piloted depreciation. Among the technologies present at his cousin and covers on the Born, we also find the head poster in augmented reality.

Marketing and prices

The Cupra Born is manufactured in Germany, in the Zwickau factory, alongside the electric compact of Volkswagen. The price of the Spanish electric compact starts from € 43,800. Despite the premium positioning of the brand, its price is relatively similar to that of the Volkswagen ID.3.

Try Cupra Born ?

Configure your Cupra Born vehicle or request a free trial.

The Cupra Born becomes the cheapest electric car with more than 500 km of autonomy

Cupra, the Seat brand, has just started marketing a new version of its Cupra Born electric car, with a range of 550 km for 40,500 euros once the ecological bonus deduces.

You are looking for the electric car with the best autonomy/price ratio ? It is quite possible that we are in the presence of the leader of this segment with the new Cupra Born in its VZ 230 hp version and its XL battery. Indeed, for 46,500 euros, or 40,500 euros once the ecological bonus has deduced, this new declination of the Cupra electric car offers theoretical autonomy on WLTP 550 km cycle. A very interesting proposal, but let’s look a little more about his technical sheet.

The competing cousin of the ID.3

The Cupra Born is a compact type electric car, which we had the opportunity to try in its classic Born V version, with its smallest battery L with a capacity of 58 kWh and a power of 204 horsepower. This is the competitor of the Volkswagen ID.3, but she shares the same Meb platform as the latter.

With the new VZ XL version, we have the right to A power supplement, which goes to 231 horsepower / 170 kW (hence the VZ suffix) with a couple of 310 Nm, but also more autonomy, which goes from 426 km to 550 km thanks to a 77 kWh battery.

A fairly sporty compact

To note that The VZ version already existed, But with the 58 kWh battery, thus offering a slightly reduced autonomy, at 421 km. This suffix allowsslightly increase performance, With a 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds (against 7.3 seconds on version V). This finish also brings the piloted damping DCC Sport, the disconnectable ESC Sport and especially larger brake discs, 19 -inch rims, a supersport cupra steering wheel and tinted rear windows.

In terms of fast recharging, power increases, going from 120 kW on the smallest battery to 170 kW on this large battery. But the recharge duration should not change, due to a higher capacity. It is then necessary to count About 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80 %.

The Cupra Born Vz XL is Available now At the price of 46,500 euros, or 40,500 euros after deduction of the ecological bonus. Long -term rental is also offered, from 399 euros per month, with a contribution of 5,350 euros.

And competition ?

But is it really the only car on the French market to offer autonomy greater than 500 km while being eligible for the ecological bonus as the SEAT sports brand announces ? This is more or less true, whether or not we take into account the margin of negotiation with dealerships. Indeed, his cousin, the Volkswagen ID.3 In Active Pro S finish advance A theoretical autonomy of 556 km for 48,150 euros.

So yes, the maximum bonus of 6,000 euros stops when the sale price exceeds 47,000 euros. But on a car at nearly 50,000 euros, Radin would be the dealer who does not wish to grant a discount of around 1,000 euros to his client to bring the bonus amount from 2,000 to 6,000 euros. But beware, because this great autonomy version of the Volkswagen ID.3 only offers .. 4 places and not 5 like the rest of the range or this Cupra Born VZ XL.

Let us also quote the Kona Electric of Hyundai in version 64 kWh with its starting price at 41,700 euros, but with lower autonomy, announced at 484 km.

Do you use Google News (News in France) ? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Frandroid on Google News (and numerama).