CUPRA Born e-Boost EV – Feel alive!
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 electrified portfolio.
The CUPRA Born’s electric powertrain is available in a choice of a 204PS/202bhp (150kW) unit and a 231PS/228bhp (170kW) e-Boost pack, with the latter accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 6.6seconds.
Two battery options - 58kWh and 77kWh - deliver ranges of 424km and 540km respectively. When charged on a 170kW network, the Born can go from 5% charge to 80% charge in just 35 minutes.
It can also recoup 100km of range in as little as seven minutes. Despite its environmental credentials, the Born remains a driver’s car first and foremost.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels, producing a sportier feel and a more engaging driving experience. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MEB platform, the Born measures 4,322mm long, 1,809mm wide and 1,540mm high.
It has a wheelbase of 2,767mm, providing occupants with a generous amount of leg and headroom, and the car’s 385-litre boot capacity can be easily expanded by dropping the rear seats when the need arises.
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) enable the driver to choose a mode to suit their individual driving style.
The CUPRA Born achieved a full five-star rating in the Euro NCAP car safety assessment programme’s rigorous testing procedure.
The Born scored high in every category from adult and child occupant testing to vulnerable road users and safety assist tests.
Standard safety tech in the Born e-Boost includes a top-view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control with followto-stop function, Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Change System, Exit Warning, Front Light Assist, Travel Assist 2.5, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Park Assist and Trained Park Assist. My CUPRA Born e-Boost 231PS 58kWh review car was finished in elegant Quasar Grey metallic paint. Additional optional equipment fitted to my review car included a panoramic roof (€995), BEATS Audio (€477) and 20-inch FIRESTORM Aero Black alloy wheels with performance tyres (€1,708).
Producing 231PS (228bhp) and a respectable 310Nm of instant torque, the car feels sprightly and confident at all times.
This punchy performance, and rearwheel drive format, means the Born feels as supremely agile around town as it does on a motorway.
The car sits lower to the ground than the VW ID.3 on which it is based, and it has a sportier suspension set-up too.
The Born also gets specifically developed wider tyres and optimised brake feel, resulting in a sharper and more engaging feel on twisty back roads.
The car feels comfortable, composed and well-controlled over even the worst of road surfaces, and driving on a smooth motorway surface enhances the Born’s exceptional refinement.
The car feels light and airy inside, and a deep windscreen, along with a slightly raised-up driving position, means you get great forward visibility.
The e-Boost function delivers a surge of extra instantaneous power at the push of a button.
This enables drivers to experience the sensation of electrifying impulse and performance, specially engineered to maximise the acceleration and range of the Born EV.
The satellite buttons on the heated CUPRA steering wheel permit drivers to activate the e-Boost function in order to tap into 20kW of additional power, unlocking maximum power in the process. Additionally, e-Boost can be accessed via the touchscreen-operated CUPRA Drive Profile. Also included in the e-Boost package are striking 19-inch “Typhoon” alloy wheels and improved front disc brakes for greater stopping performance.
The new CUPRA Born e-Boost 231hp (58kWh) is priced from €49,385 – inclusive of on-the-road charges and government incentives currently available, where applicable.
The CUPRA Born comes with a 3-year/90,000km vehicle warranty and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty as standard, along with a CUPRA Care Pack which takes care of the scheduled maintenance of the car while also protecting your residual value.