2022 Seat Cupra born arriving early next year
The Spanish sporting brand has unveiled its production-ready Born hatchback. It’s the first all-electric model from Cupra, based on the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.3. Buyers will be able to choose from a range of power outputs and battery sizes, with prices expected to start from around £32,000 when the Born arrives in 2022.
Design differences aren’t unlike those separating the Cupra Leon and Volkswagen Golf, because the Born appears slightly more aggressive and rakish than the ID.3. It has the same short bonnet as the VW, with a large rear spoiler and a full-wide LED rear light bar. A diffuser-style rear bumper, contrasting side skirts, unique alloy wheels and copper highlights help set the Born apart. It sticks close to the el-Born concept car first seen at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Six paint colours will be offered, along with six different sets of wheels ranging from 18- to 20-inches in diameter.
Copper trim is also prominent inside, where it encircles the air vents and central storage area. A standard ’floating’ 12-inch infotainment screen sits ahead of the fascia, with touch-sensitive controls for the ventilation system and audio volume. This is larger than the standard 10-inch unit found in the ID.3. A digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel, with a gear selector mounted on the right-hand side. Neoprene materials are used to trim the interior and sports seats, along with a fabric made from marine plastics. Dinamica upholstery will also be available, made using recycled clothing and single-use plastics.
Choose the entry-level Born and there’s a 45kWh battery supplying a 148bhp rear-mounted electric motor. It’s capable of up to 211 miles on a single charge, with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 8.9 seconds. The mid-range 58kWh battery increases range to 260 miles and is available with 201bhp or in a version where 228bhp is on tap thanks to an e-Boost feature.
This cuts its acceleration figure to 6.6 seconds. Cupra’s ‘e-Boost’ will also be offered with the largest 77kWh battery, which sees range increase to 335 miles, but with extra weight adding a few tenths to its 0-62mph time.
A 125kW charger can restore the 77kW battery from 5 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes, and a home wall-box with Cupra branding will be available for owners. A ‘Cupra Easy Charging’ smartphone app has also been developed to control charging and check on the car’s status.
The Born measures 4,322mm long, 1,809mm wide and 1,537mm tall and its cab-forward design should ensure plentiful interior space. There’s a 385-litre boot behind the rear seats that’s a few litres bigger than the Leon’s, especially in plug-in hybrid guise. The Born will be built at the Zwickau plant in Germany, alongside the ID.3.
Trim levels are yet to be announced, however, it’s expected to follow established Cupra thinking, with V1, V2, VZ1, VZ2 and VZ3 editions.