New data and images of the CUPRA Born, up to 231 CV for the small compact

CUPRA was launched in 2018 as SEAT’s most aspirational and performance-oriented brand. Since its creation, CUPRA has left behind great cars such as the León, the Ateca and the latest to hit the streets, the great CUPRA Formentor.

Now the big moment many were waiting for has arrived: the smallest car in the brand, the CUPRA Born, is here to stay. Combining electrification and performance, it promises to be a success for the brand.

Conceived by SEAT but born at CUPRA

The CUPRA Born was born from the idea of SEAT’s prototype, called SEAT el-Born. This car was conceived as the most accessible electric version within the Group Volkswagen. However, the strategy suddenly changed and the SEAT el-Born became the responsibility of CUPRA, which today brings us this promising little machine.

Design has been one of the key aspects surrounding the small Born. Its design chief Jorge Díez, as we told you the other day, stated how well CUPRA had combined design to achieve greater efficiency, one of the key aspects of electrified vehicles.

Its front end stands out above all thanks to its new full LED headlights, the air intakes on the front and a bonnet with pronounced ridges and 3D shapes that give it great personality and a very aggressive design.

Along its flanks, the side skirts catch the eye, giving it a very sporty touch, its A-pillar with a steep rake and a floating roof that gives great prominence to its C-pillar, painted in another colour and with a three-dimensional surface, which connects to a small spoiler, the crowning touch of the CUPRA Born’s side design.

The rear, like the front, stands out above all for the light signature running across the entire rear of the car, giving it a sense of greater width. At the bottom of the rear, there is a nice, well-integrated diffuser that adds a sporty but discreet touch.

The CUPRA Born will be available in six body colours – Vapor Grey, Glacier White, Geyser Silver, Rayleigh Red, Quasar Grey and, finally, the exclusive Aurora Blue that you can see in the images – with several options depending on the look you want to give it.

Wheels are always one of the stars of any car. That is why CUPRA has included in its range six designs in 18, 19 and 20 inch alloy, optimised to improve the car’s aerodynamics and performance.

Inside, the CUPRA Born comes as standard with attractive bucket seats upholstered in Seaqual fabric, made from recycled marine plastics. A nod to the Born’s ecological approach.

On the dashboard, we see the attractive CUPRA steering wheel with its logo, stitching and button surrounds in the brand’s copper colour, and a dashboard highlighted by its digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen.

The boot capacity of the CUPRA is another of its strong points, as it offers 385 litres, a very good figure that meets any everyday need given that this is a small compact.

Up-to-date connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the CUPRA Born has the latest features. The Digital Cockpit instrument cluster is one of its main highlights, where the driver can customise any data they wish to be displayed.

Above the steering wheel, we also find the new head-up display with augmented reality, showing information about assistance systems, navigation or speed, avoiding distractions.

The infotainment system features a large 12-inch screen with state-of-the-art technology and voice control. In addition, the Full Link wireless system allows phone content to be integrated into the car via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Finally, the sound system of the CUPRA Born is signed by Beats Audio, with nine speakers and excellent sound quality for its occupants.

The CUPRA Born will be offered in two available versions: one with 150 CV and 310 Nm of torque, and another with 204 CV and 310 Nm of torque that reaches 100 km/h from a standstill in just 7.3 seconds.

But as the headline already told you, the CUPRA Born can reach 231 CV thanks to the e-Boost pack offered by the brand, taking performance a step further, with two battery options: one of 77 kWh and another of 58 kWh.

The more powerful battery will allow it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 7 seconds and will have a range of around 540 km, while the less powerful battery will have a range of around 420 km and will reach 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds.

The CUPRA Born’s batteries will be protected by an aluminium structure that will increase the vehicle’s rigidity.

One of the great advantages of the CUPRA Born is that, in just 7 minutes, using a 125 kW charging point, it is possible to add 100 kilometres of range. Also, in just 35 minutes, the battery can be charged from 5% to 80% at a 100 kW charging point.

As for safety and comfort systems, the CUPRA Born does not fall behind, featuring multiple driver assistance systems such as predictive adaptive cruise control (ACC), travel assist, lane assist and lane departure warning, sign recognition, emergency assist and pre-collision assist (Pre-crash Assist).

Another standout system in the small Spanish compact is its high beam assist, which automatically switches the lighting from low to high beam depending on traffic.

The CUPRA Born, despite being part of the Spanish brand, will be produced at the German factory in Zwickau, and although we still know nothing about its price, what we are certain of is that this small electric car with sporty aspirations will be hugely important for the brand and for the sector.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackCUPRA Born3 versions · from 39,500 €