Cupra Born e-Boost 77 kW 231 HP – faster than the ID.3 and… better? Test

The MEB platform on which the Cupra was born is of course well known to us. You have had the opportunity to read it many times, including: on Antyweb.pl in the automotive section. I highly recommend trying the 58 kWh version on the Warsaw-Mikołajki-Warsaw road without charging and taking a closer look at the ID.3 lift version. Of course, the same features, but with a slightly smaller body size, can be found in the Skoda Enyaq iV (80x version test), Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 (winter type test).

The “building blocks” are the same: the battery, the engine, the control system of the vehicle. However, the differences are visible in the arrangement and the final “tuning” of the individual elements and this is where the Cupra Born has a chance to prove itself, because the creators tried hard to make the character of the Born completely different from the ID.3 and , as you already expected, indeed they did.

MEB in a more sporty version

To begin with, the Cupra Born has a rigid suspension that is lowered by 15/10 mm (front / rear). In addition, the operating system is more straightforward. This already makes driving the Born more difficult and the car handles better in corners. If we choose the e-Boost version (231 instead of 204 HP), the acceleration is also better: 6.6 instead of 7.3 seconds in the 0-100 km / h sprint for the 58 kWh version. Curpa Born e-Boost 77 kWh 231 HP accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.0 s (standard). Measurement:

And here it is worth mentioning that this increased power is not available in the entire charging range of the traction battery (which is a common thing in the world of electric vehicles). The manufacturer declares that e-Boost is available in 30 seconds, at the right temperature of the battery and when charged at least 80%. In reality, the relative performance is still below this value (eg ~70%), but in fact at 50% the performance drop can already be observed.

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Although theoretically the maximum power – 231 HP for the Born e-Boost version – is only available in Cupra mode, thanks to the car’s “kickdown” feature, full power is available regardless of driving conditions, just press the accelerator pedal long. enough – the biggest for it!

The Cupra Born E-Boost is characterized by a slight oversteer when driving at high speed (after all, it is a rear-wheel drive car), which, together with a precise and direct steering system, makes the experience behind the wheel a pleasant one. very and even attractive. Of course, in some cases the weight cannot be deceived – ~ 1,830 kg with a 58 kWh battery and ~ 1,950 kg with 77 kWh – but for an electric car in the body of a crossover / SUV it is very good.

Cupra Born e-Boost in the interior

Well, in theory the Cupra Born is an SUV, but the front seats can be lowered so low that you sit with your legs spread wide, like in a sports car. This, of course, does not change the fact that you can still enter the crossover, i.e. comfortably – without having to “sink” when entering. The rear seating position is higher.

The sporty character of the Cupra Born is also emphasized by the elements of carbon fiber materials and buttons on the steering wheel for changing the driving modes – there are two, but their operation is different. All driving modes are available at the bottom left (Comfort, Performance, Range, Individual, Cupra), while the one on the right is used to immediately activate the “Cupra” or return to the previously set mode. It’s easy. Moreover: it was not decided to add artificial sound of the car system – maybe that’s a good thing.

The Cupra Born E-Boost doesn’t give off the feeling of being overzealous. The car drives comfortably, although it is definitely more difficult than, for example, the ID.3. It is worth noting that the suspension adapter offers about 15 levels of damping and the “soft” ones are available for individual conditions. The driving system is set up in a user-friendly manner and no additional driving lessons are required. The exception is, of course, the use of mode “D” and “B” – the minimum and maximum recovery rate. However, there is no need to use “B” mode, because in “D” mode it automatically works very efficiently – it copes with road conditions, including speed limits and other vehicles. The fact that the Cupra Born starts moving after the release of the brake (it will not turn on a small hill) makes the driving style similar to combustion cars with automatic transmission.

Practical interior measurements

From a practical point of view, the Cupra Born is very similar to the Volkswagen ID.3. The amount of space is the same. We can also see an analogy in the logic and overall design of the cockpit. I am 1.84 m tall and in front, without lowering the seat to the bottom, I still had a space of 13-14 cm above my head. When sitting “alone behind me”, I had more than 10 cm of “freedom” in front of my knees, and another 3-4 cm above my head.

The front seats offer a range of adjustments, although without the ability to adjust the height of the seat or the height of its front part. However, they turn out to be the same and support the driver’s body wisely when hitting.

The small screen behind the steering wheel of the Cupra Born, the paddle attached to it for changing the driving directions, as well as the screen of the infotainment system (it still does not have parts with light to change the temperature or sound) show that we are dealing with starting the car. MEB platform. The general logic of operation is, of course, the same, although the installation of the multimedia system seems more attractive, but unfortunately it is less logical and more complicated in places. I tested the car in two versions: with the old software here in Poland (this was before ID. Software 3.1), as well as the updated version during tests on Continental AllSeasonContact 2 tires. The newer version worked more efficiently and was less stuck , and this is important, because before the update it was … unfortunately bad. In both cases, however, it must be admitted that the configuration is at a high level.

The steering wheel of the Cupra Born is covered in high-quality leather and is generally comfortable in the hands. The column can be changed in two planes in various forms. Unfortunately, the biggest problem is the touch buttons on the hands. The first drawback is the multi-positioned parts that deal with adjusting the speed of the cruise control and the volume of multimedia – very often they can be accidentally used while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. The second is how to use them: there’s a difference between swiping and clicking – and that’s okay. But this movement must be done in a special way: the best is probably the increased pressure (as if by clicking at the end) to initiate the desired function.

You already know about the touch – and unfortunately not illuminated – temperature and volume control fields, and also about the touch switch for activating the opening / closing of the rear windows for the driver. It’s great that the Cupra Born has a standard physical hazard warning switch and that’s great news!

Interior quality is generally fine. There is even a soft material, such as on the left elbow door and the cockpit itself. It’s a shame that the rear passengers have hard plastic doors and…

Inside the Cupra Born you will find a total of 4 USB C ports and a wireless charger (under the armrest). This number is enough.

Unfortunately, there are no air conditioning vents for the rear passengers.

We should appreciate the very bright light of the cabin, also at the back, as well as the ISOFIX hooks not only for the two rear seats, but also in the front passenger seat.

Frequency and power consumption

As I said before, I tested two models of the Cupra Born e-Boost. In Poland, a variant with an older version of the software, with… winter tires with a resistance index of D and E (very weak) and with a newer software and Continental AllSeasonContact 2 tires. This, without doubt, affects energy consumption. , which in Poland was at the level of the Volkswagen ID.4 (even a little higher) precisely because of the tires – and this was confirmed by the tests I did during the Continental tire test, which allowed me to achieve a few percent lower consumption. Finally, the Cupra Born e-Boost 77 kWh 231 HP consumes more than the Volkswagen ID.3 58 kWh and slightly less than the ID.4 77 kWh:

Which translates into a slightly better range than the ID.4 (same battery capacity – net 77 kWh):

Is it landing? After the upgrade, you can get up to 170 kW. In fact, it will take about 30 minutes to fill your energy from ~10 to ~80%. At a DC fast charging station. The AC charger on board has a power of 11 kW.

Driver assistance systems

Cupra Born – MEB platform – can usually be equipped with the same set of safety systems and driver assistance assistants. There is an autonomous driving system (Travel Assistant), blind spot warning, and information about traffic when backing up.

The reversing camera requires feedback (without the optional four-way, 360-degree system). It is placed very low and is not hidden in the brand logo (as in the case of ID.3), which unfortunately reduces its usefulness in the autumn and winter period.

Cupra Born cannot have variable or matrix lights.

HUD has the same functionality as in ID.3, ie with augmented reality, which works very well.

Cena

Currently, the Cupra Born is only available in e-Boost versions with a 58 or 77 kWh battery. The price starts around ~ 205,000. PLN (not including any subsidies, eg ” Moje Elektryk”) for 58 kWh and ~ 232 thousand PLN for 77 kWh. A well-equipped baby Born with a large battery can reach 250,000. zlotys. This is compared to the Volkswagen ID.3. It is also a price comparable to other electric cars in this segment. It is worth setting up the car carefully, because, for example, a large battery (77 instead of 58 kWh) makes it impossible to choose a rear seat for 3 people and shock absorbers at the same time …

At the end

The Cupra Born is an attractive proposition for those customers who find the Volkswagen.3 ID very respectable and are looking for something more sophisticated. The e-Boost version provides more power (231 instead of 204 HP) and is more effective in corners, which will be appreciated by more powerful drivers. Design is also important and, according to many, more attractive.