CUPRA Born 58kWh V3 204PS (2022 - )

The fully-electrified CUPRA Born first appeared back in 2019 when it was shown as the Seat el Born concept, named after a rather trendy neighbourhood in the Spanish city of Barcelona. But that concept became reality and the Born was born into the CURPA family and, in doing so, becomes the carmaker's first 100 per cent electric vehicle. There are three powertrain variants - a 58kWh 204PS, 58kWh 230PS e-Boost and a 77kWh 230PS e-Boost with an EV driving range of up to 261, 264 or 340 miles depending on which model is tested. Customers also need to choose between the three well-equipped trim levels called V1, V2 and V3. 

With striking similarities to the VW ID.3, with which it shares a platform and many other features, the CUPRA Born has real road presence with edgier and more dynamic styling than its German cousin. It boasts sport curves, sweeping light clusters, tinted windows, a light bar at the rear connecting the taillights, lots of copper-coloured trim and 20-inch alloys on our V3 model. The interior is premium through and through, although quite minimalist with a 12-inch touchscreen acting as the nerve centre and offering access to the navigation, audio, climate control, Apple CarPlay and Andriod Auto and lots more. In addition, a 5.3-inch digital behind the steering wheel can be customised to taste, but shows the range, battery charge, gear selector and speed. a head-up display is another handy feature. The sports seats offer 12-way power adjustment along with a massage function and there is neat copper stitching to the dashboard, steering wheel and seats with copper trim on the air vents, doors and centre console, The CUPRA logo on the steering wheel is also copper-coloured. On the downside, the view of the gear selector stalk is obscured by the steering wheel which is quite annoying. 

We tested the CUPRA Born in top spec V3 guise powered by the smaller 58kWh 204PS battery. With 310Nm of torque, it can reach 62mph from a standing start 7.3 seconds and tops out at 99mph. Like most EVs, the rear-wheel drive born is sharp out the starting blocks with good acceleration and plenty of power on tap. It is balanced through sharp bends with excellent drip and no sign of body sway. It can also cruise at 70mph on motorways and still have lots more to give. To maximise the battery range there is a B mode that elevates the regenerative braking level. And, although single pedal driving is not quite possible, it does sharpen up the brakes to recoup energy that would otherwise be lost, which in turn boosts the battery levels. The handling is crisp with well-weighted steering, but the performance doesn't really match the dynamic hot-hatch styling of the Born. Drive modes called Range, Comfort, performance and Individual alter the characteristics of the car. An e-boost pack is available for the two most powerful models and this will liven up the performance by adding extra power to the mix. 

Powered, heated seats and a fully adjustable steering wheel make it easy to get comfy inside the CUPRA Born and the seats offer a massage function too. All-round visibility is good, but not great due to wide pillars and a narrow rear screen, but there are sensors and a rearview camera to assist. The Born is built on the VW Group's MEB platform and stretches 4,322mm in length, is 1,809mm wide, 1,540mm high and has a wheelbase of 2,766mm. There is ample room up front to stretch out and adult passengers can sit comfortably in the back provided the front seats are not pushed right back. The boot has a 385-litres capacity, a limit that increases further with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. Elsewhere, a cover slides back in the centre console to reveal a deep tray and double cup holders. There is a wireless charging pad, glovebox, practical door bins with a bottle holder, cubby box, seat back pockets and two more cup holders in the fold-down rear centre armrest. 

The CUPRA Born line-up costs from £34,715 to £41,915 and can deliver a driving range between 261 and 340 miles, depending on the battery size. Our range-topping V3 model featured the smallest 58kWh 204PS battery and cost £38,390. although there are no longer any Government incentives to help EV owners, the financial savings will soon start to add up. For example, with zero tailpipe emissions, the Born will be exempt from any road tax or Congestion Charge bills. and with prices at the fuel pumps rising sharply, charging the Born's battery at night, when tariffs may be cheaper, will also be financially sound. It takes six hours, 15 minutes to boost the battery from 0 to 100 per cent via an AC 11kW point or just 35 minutes from 5 to 80 per cent on a DC 135kW charger. For the business driver, there are attractive tax savings too as the car has a Benefit in Kind rating of two per cent. Insurance costs are reasonable with out test car set in group 25. 

There can be many comparisons between the CUPRA Born and the VW ID.3, but in our opinion the Spanish model takes the honours. It looks that much sharper and the infotainment set-up is superior. It's also nice to stand out from the crowd sometimes and our test car certainly turned heads wherever it passed, On the downside, it didn't offer the dynamic performance to match its hot hatch looks, but we were driving the least powerful version of the car. Next year, CUPRA is launching its all-electric SUV called the Tavascan and this will be followed by an urban electric car in 2025, so exciting times ahead.