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Cupra Born

The Cupra Born is a battery electric small family car (C-segment) marketed by SEAT through its performance-oriented Cupra marque. Initially unveiled as the SEAT el-Born concept in 2019, the production car was revealed in May 2021 as the Cupra Born. The Born is based on the Volkswagen Group MEB platform and has been manufactured at the same plant in Zwickau, Germany, as the MEB-based Volkswagen ID.3. The car is named after a neighbourhood in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Overview

Concept

The vehicle was previewed as the SEAT el-Born, which was unveiled in March 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The prototype car was fitted with a 62 kWh battery pack, with a claimed 420 km range (WLTP). It was powered by a 204 PS electric motor, able to accelerate to 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The battery is compatible with 100 kW DC supercharging, and features a thermal management system. It featured a driver assistance systems, and is capable of Level 2 Autonomous Driving.[2]

Production version

Production of the Born was confirmed in July 2020, and it is sold under the Cupra brand.[3][4][5] The production car would have a larger battery pack than the prototype.[6] The car was renamed to Cupra Born in February 2021, therefore dropping the "el-" from the name.[7] It was expected to cost around £40,000, which is noted to be around the price of the higher end models of the Volkswagen ID.3.[8]

The Born had its official premiere in May 2021. At launch there was an option of two powertrains, a base electric motor at the rear and rear-wheel drive of 110 kW, and a more powerful model with a rear engine of 150 kW / 204 hp and 310 Nm, which develops 170 kW. With Boost Mode, it took 6.6 seconds for the flagship model to accelerate to 0-100 km/h.[9] In 2024 the more powerful VZ was introduced, with an engine of 240 kW / 326 hp and 545 Nm, which achieves 5.6 seconds 0-100 km/h.

At launch it had three battery capacities of 45 kWh for the cheapest version and 55 kWh and 77 kWh for the higher-end models, with ranges from 340 to 540 kilometers (370 miles). Charging on a fast charger with up to 80% battery takes 35-60 minutes depending on the battery size, and according to Cupra, it will increase range by 100 kilometers in 7 minutes. The interior features a 12.0 in touchscreen, sports seats with integrated headrests and a head-up display. Equipment also includes adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist system for semi-autonomous driving, traffic sign recognition, automatic braking system, Dynamic Chassis Control Sport suspension. Production started in September 2021.[10]

Facelift

In March 2026, the Cupra Born received a facelift. It includes traditional steering wheel buttons, improved materials, redesigned triangular headlights and taillights and a new Android-based infotainment system.[11]

Powertrain

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

Production

External links

References

  1. CAR OF THE YEAR 2022 FINALISTS autodesignmagazine.com, 2022-01-10, retrieved 2022-08-27^
  2. Seat's 201bhp el-Born is brand's first bespoke EV Autocar, 1 March 2019, retrieved 1 March 2019^
  3. New Cupra el-Born electric hot hatch offers 310-mile range whatcar.com, 8 July 2020, retrieved 3 December 2020^
  4. New 2021 Cupra El-Born is VW Group's first EV hot hatch Autocar, 8 July 2020, retrieved 23 July 2020^
  5. 2021 Cupra El-Born electric car revealed: price, specs and release date whatcar.com, 29 November 2020, retrieved 3 December 2020^
  6. New Cupra el-Born electric car 2020: pictures, specs and details Driving Electric, 8 July 2020, retrieved 23 July 2020^
  7. Cupra Confirms New Born (Formerly el-Born) Electric Hatchback InsideEVs, 23 February 2021, retrieved 25 February 2021^
  8. Nick Lette van Oostvoorne, James Allen. 'Cupra Born' name confirmed for EV hot hatch: price, specs and release date carwow.co.uk, 22 February 2021, retrieved 25 February 2021^
  9. Cupra Born Officially Revealed With More Power Than VW ID.3 Motor1.com, retrieved 2021-05-25^
  10. New 2022 Cupra Born: hot hatch is Spanish brand's first EV Autocar, retrieved 2021-05-25^
  11. Volkswagen's Cupra Born Electric Hot Hatch Gets More Buttons Motor1.com, retrieved 2026-04-04^
  12. Cupra Born review Top Gear, 2024-09-02, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  13. Cupra revises the Born lineup electrive.com, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  14. Cupra Born Presales Catalogue 2021 Cupra Official, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  15. Cupra Born Catalogue 2024 Cupra Official, 2024-05-23, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  16. Cupra Born UK Cupra UK, 2024-01-11, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  17. SEAT Volkswagen Group Annual Report 2022, retrieved 2024-04-17^
  18. <ref name="2020-07-08-seat"> CUPRA's first all-electric vehicle is born seat.co.uk, 8 July 2020, retrieved 17 November 2020^
  19. The SEAT el-Born premiere seat.co.uk, 5 March 2019, retrieved 17 November 2020^
  20. New Seat el-Born electric car revealed ahead of Geneva Motor Show 2019 debut Daily Express, 1 March 2019, retrieved 1 March 2019^