Article By Richard Aucock

Sporty Cupra Born EV revealed

The Cupra Born is the first pure EV from the Spanish performance brand. The distinctive hatchback arrives in the UK in early 2022

The Cupra Born is a performance-focused family hatch EV that will be the Spanish brand’s first pure electric car when it arrives in the UK in early 2022.

With a range of batteries and power outputs, the fastest is capable of 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, while the longest range offered is 335 miles.

Derived from the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Skoda Enyaq, Cupra, is also promising a particularly spacious interior and commodious 385-litre boot.

It’s the styling that marks the Cupra Born out, though. Intentionally expressive, it takes on a much more distinctive appearance than its siblings, with a sharp nose, distinctive body creases and aero-style rear.

The front end is immediately recognisable – helped by the combination of Cupra logo AND script in copper – and will be so at night too, courtesy of the high-tech LED lights.

There are aero-tuned sills at the side, and a special 3D graphic for the C-pillar to give a ‘floating roof’ effect.

A large roof spoiler crowns the tail, which also has a particularly racy-looking diffuser down below. Again, Cupra says distinctive full-width LED lights mean there will be no missing the Born at night.

The interior is closely related to the Volkswagen ID.3 in terms of core design, but Cupra has enlivened it with some rich materials including liberal use of its trademark copper detailing.

The trim pattern on the dashboard matches the C-pillar graphic and, as JustGoEV reported earlier, recycled seat upholstery is available. This is part of a sustainability drive – indeed, Cupra reckons the Born will be its first carbon-neutral car in production.

A bespoke chassis setup is much sportier than the ID.3 and Enyaq: Cupra engineers are keen to point out the wide, grippy tyres and optional adaptive suspension option.

Because the battery is mounted so low in the chassis, the car has a near-50:50 weight distribution, something normally only reserved for true sports cars.

The entry-level motor has a 150hp output and 45kWh battery. This is good for 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, and a 211-mile range.

Next up is a 204hp variant with a 58kWh battery, giving 260 miles’ range and 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds.

The fastest Cupra Born produces 231hp with e-Boost, for 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and, again, a 260-mile range.

There’s also a 231hp variant paired with a larger 77kWh battery. Acceleration to 62mph dips slightly to 7.0 seconds – but range jumps up to 335 miles.

The top-spec Cupra Born can also use 125kW rapid chargers, for 62 miles’ range in 7 minutes, and 5% to 80% charge in 35 minutes.

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