The first electric car from newly arrived Spanish brand Cupra will not be the now regulation SUV, but a compact rear-wheel drive hot hatch boasting a 500km-plus range, according to the importer Volkswagen Australia. 

Cupra is the sporty arm of VW’s Spanish brand Seat and launched here in July with a three-model line-up comprising the Leon hot hatch, Formentor crossover and Ateca SUV.

The fully electric Born EV is the fourth model to join the fledgling line-up and was was confirmed for Australia in March, with Australian production set to get underway in the last quarter of 2022 and first deliveries in early 2023.

The so-called ‘electric hot hatch’ shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen ID.3 but will beat that model to market here, based on current timings.

The Born promises to be one of the most exciting models in the Cupra range with its battery electric drivetrain delivering outputs of 170kW and 310Nm and, unusually for a hot hatch, sending drive to the rear wheels.

The peak power output is just 10kW off Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre turbocharged Golf GTI hot hatch, although its torque figure trails the Golf by 60Nm.

Despite this, the Born’s torque is instantly available thanks to its electric powertrain, enabling it to race from 0-100km/h in a brisk 7.0 seconds, compared with the GTI’s 6.4 seconds.

That’s an impressive effort, given the Cupra tips the scales at a hefty 1,824kg compared with the Golf GTI’s 1,409kg, courtesy of the substantial 82kW/h lithium-ion battery powering its single rear-mounted electric motor.

The compact Cupra’s battery is bigger even than the 77.4kW unit Kia uses in its much larger EV6 model, enabling the Born to claim an impressive 511km range on the WLTP cycle. 

Something else that’s bigger than expected is the Born’s interior space, thanks to its dedicated electric vehicle platform freeing up cabin space, with Cupra claiming its new EV offers equivalent passenger space to the larger VW Golf-sized Leon hatch, including a 385-litre boot.  

An optional Performance package which includes 20-inch wheels in lieu of the standard 19s, wider Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, dynamic chassis control and other additional features knocks the Born’s range back to a still respectable 475km (WLTP).  

Standard equipment includes dusk-sensing LED headlamps with auto high beam, a 12-inch infotainment display and 5.3-inch digital driver display, DAB+ digital radio, four USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless phone charging.

Other kit includes a tyre pressure warning system, heated power folding mirrors, rear tinted windows, rear roof spoiler, heated leather steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, sports suspension, keyless entry and start, aluminium pedals and more.

Safety is well catered for with seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, front assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, side assist with rear traffic alert and exit warning, driver fatigue monitor, pre-crash assist and more.

An optional Interior Package adds further luxury in the form of heated front seats with 12-way power adjustment and massage function, a four-seat layout, heated washing jets and a nine-speaker, 395W Beats premium sound system with sub-woofer.

The previously mentioned Performance package may tax the Born’s range but does adds Dynamic Chassis Control, 20-inch Firestorm Alloy wheels, 235mm wide Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, and the four-seat configuration.

The Cupra Born is due to arrive in Australia in March/April 2023 with pricing details yet to be confirmed. 

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