322 HP Electric Hot Hatch: The All-New Cupra Born VZ

Volkswagen Group Revamps Electric Vehicle Lineup.

In 2018, Cupra became an independent brand, separating from the Volkswagen Group’s SEAT brand. Now, they are proud to unveil their first electric performance vehicle. This new model is a sporty version of the Born compact and is given the “VZ” suffix, representing the Spanish word “veloz,” meaning “fast.” This marks the brand’s first venture into the world of electric vehicles, with notable enhancements in power and other features.

The latest electric hot hatch, which is driven by its rear wheels, boasts of a boosted motor with an impressive 322 horsepower. Instant torque is also significantly increased at 402 pound-feet (545 Newton-meters). Compared to the previous top-of-the-line Cupra Born model, these figures mark a considerable improvement of 94 hp and 235 Nm (173 lb-ft). Thanks to this upgraded electric power, the VZ version now accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.7 seconds, a full second quicker than before. Additionally, the top speed has been raised by 25 mph (40 km/h) to reach 124 mph (200 km/h).

The Born VZ offers more than just a stronger electric motor, as Cupra has also included a set of unique 20-inch wheels, including a forged variant with high-performance tires. As a refreshing alternative to the struggling SEAT brand, Cupra has increased the battery pack’s capacity by 2 kWh to a total of 79 kWh, resulting in an estimated range of 335 miles (570 kilometers). The steering is now more responsive and the suspension has been further adjusted for improved handling, while the brakes exhibit a more immediate response compared to previous versions.

When it comes to design, the Cupra brand is presenting the latest Born VZ in a bold Dark Forest shade, or for those who prefer a more conventional look, the energetic electric hatchback is also offered in Midnight Black. The recent inclusion of the “VZ” emblem on the tailgate features a sleek dark chrome appearance that complements the “Cupra” lettering. On the inside, the car boasts a set of body-hugging seats exclusive to the higher-end models. Although these bucket seats are already seen in some high-performance vehicles with traditional combustion engines, such as the Formentor VZ5 which uses a five-cylinder engine borrowed from Audi.

Cupra has made some key changes to the top-end Born model, including increasing the size of the infotainment screen by 0.9 inches to a total of 12.9 inches. However, the most significant update is the addition of an illuminated touch slider for adjusting climate and volume. For an extra fee, customers can opt for a high-quality Sennheiser sound system with ten speakers and 425 watts of power. The VZ version now comes equipped with paddle shifters on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to select from three levels of energy recuperation.

The Born VZ is set to become available for purchase in Europe during the third quarter of this year. Similarly, around 2024, we can expect to see the launch of a comparable model from Volkswagen, the ID.3 GTX, or possibly under a different name chosen for this dynamic electric hatchback. These two will face off against established competitors such as the MG4 XPower in an exclusive market segment. The compact Alpine A290 is also slated to enter the fray in the near future.

Source: Cupra