FORECOURT
CUPRA BORN
Under the bonnet
The 201bhp electric motor with a 58kWh battery pushes the Cupra to 60mph in 7.1 seconds.
Cupra is expanding its lineup with the electric Born. Jack Evans went on the road with one to see if it poses a threat to other EVs.
THE KNOWLEDGE Cupra Born Price (as tested): £38,955 Engine: Electric motor with 58kWh battery Power: 201bhp Torque: 310Nm Max speed: 99mph O-60mph: 7.1 seconds Range: 261 miles Emissions: 0g/km CO2
WHAT IS IT? Cupra’s first electric car, which sits atop the same platform as cars such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Audi Q4 e-tron, aims to bring a slightly sportier character than its VW Group stablemates, as well as the more distinctive design that Cupra has become known for. WHAT’S NEW? It uses the Volkswagen Group MEB platform, which has been designed specifically for electric vehicles, rather than adapted from an existing petrol or diesel setup. That means it goes hard on making the most of the space it has to offer, while the battery is placed low to improve weight distribution and ensure that roominess isn’t impacted. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? There are a few powertrain setups available but we’re testing the anticipated best-seller, which combines a 201bhp electric motor with a 58kWh battery. With that battery, Cupra claims a range of up to 261 miles. The Born can also charge at speeds of up to 125kW, meaning a five to 80 per cent charge could be completed in as little as 35 minutes. If you’ve got a three-phase 11kW home charger, then a full top-up could take six hours, or around eight with a conventional 7kW unit. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Cupra really has pushed to make the Born feel sportier than other cars on the same platform, which is why it sits on a lower suspension setup and can even be fitted with wider tyres for improved grip and higher cornering speeds. These changes are really noticeable too, as the Born corners keenly and remains well planted through the bends. The only negative by-product of this is a really firm ride, which does tend to get pretty unsettled over poor surfaces – something exasperating when travelling at slow speeds. That said, it’s easy to pilot with relatively light controls. The instant availability of the torque also means the Born feels quite quick and far speedier than its on-paper figures would suggest. HOW DOES IT LOOK? We think Cupra has done really well when it comes to the Born’s styling. It’s definitely the most eye-catching out of the Volkswagen Group’s range of EVs, with its slim headlights, full-width rear light bar and range of copper accents really ensuring that it stands out from
32 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
