The best electric car from the VW Group?

The Spanish counterpart of the VW ID.3 is called the Cupra Born and is based on its technology. However, there are clear differences in detail. ADAC test, photos, data, range and price

• Two power levels and two battery sizes

• Basic prices between 40,150 and 47,250 euros

• Late summer 2024: VZ version no 240 kW/326 PS

The VW Group is using every opportunity to achieve its electrification strategy. The changes should affect all brands, including Seat – or its sports subsidiary Cupra. The expansion of the portfolio to include the Cupra sub-brand seems surprising at first, but it is a logical step: designers and engineers can design the Cupra to be sleeker and more powerful than the Seat. Which supports the distinction due to the close technical relationship between Born and VW ID.3.

The Cupra Born is currently (as of April 2024) still in production two functional versions and two different battery sizes only offered with rear-wheel drive. The starting price is 40,150 euros. There is a power source of 58 kWh for this, and the electric motor produces 150 kW / 204 hp. Above this is a version with an output of 170 kW/231 hp, sometimes with 58, sometimes with a 77 kWh battery. Cupra charges at least 41,450 and 47,250 euros for this.

The price of the games announced at the end of summer 2024 is not yet official VZ version. It promises modifications to the chassis and steering wheel, sports seats and a 240 kW/326 HP and 545 Nm Powerful electric drive provides more power. A sprint to 100 kilometers per hour should be achieved in 5.7 seconds with a two-ton truck. In addition, the maximum speed limit is increased from 160 to 200 km / h. According to Cupra, the 79 kWh battery allows a range of 570 km. The price should be more than 50,000 euros.

Test Cupra Born: distance 295 km

It stood the test of ADAC Version with 231 HP and 58 kWh battery is available. He seems to want to communicate from every orifice where the proverbial hammer hangs. It goes without saying that expectations are high in terms of dynamic driving characteristics, but also in terms of range. According to the manufacturer, with a fully charged battery and if you drive carefully, you will be able to travel up to 568 km.

In fact, the candidate cannot control this distance. ADAC Ecotest shows the use of tests of 21.2 kWh per 100 km including charge loss. This enables 295 km one way. For an electric car that is not intended to be a second car, this is an average value. When driving in urban areas or when driving very quietly outside the city (preferably below 120 km / h), a range of up to 350 km is also possible.

Cupra Born: DC charging up to 135 kW

To die It charges fast From 10 to 80 percent takes 34 minutes at a fast charging station – Born officially charges up to 120 kW, and in the test ADAC was able to do so under ideal conditions. determine up to 135 kW (DC-Ladekurve im PDF).

On a suitable wall box, it takes about five and a half hours (11 kW hours) to nine hours (7.2 kW hours) to fully charge using alternating current.

The electric motor on the rear axle gives up to 170 kW/231 PS and produces a maximum torque of 310 Nm. This means that Born travels very quickly and does justice to its visual appearance. The performance of the test car is quite adequate, although one would expect a little more from a car in the 230 hp class. The maximum weight of the test car of more than 1.8 tons certainly plays a big role.

It starts very quickly from a standstill, and thanks to the rear-wheel drive, the power is transferred to the road well. The Spaniard accelerates from 15 to 30 km/h in just 0.8 seconds – even better when turning and merging into moving traffic. Overdrive is also fast; acceleration from 60 to 100 km / h takes about 3.6 seconds. Cupra promise 6.6 seconds from zero to 100 km / h. The fact that the top speed is electronically limited to 160 km/h is not entirely in keeping with the sporty character of the brand.

Does the Cupra Born look faster?

No one will doubt that the Cupra Born, with its expressive sheet, is a sporty look, especially compared to its technical sibling, the VW ID.3. But is it really as powerful as it seems? The optional adaptive damping In any case, it is very well made and offers a convincing combination of comfort and agility. The electric car sits confidently on the road and does not bother with tight curves or fast driving movements. The straight-line stability is flawless, and the long comparison wheel helps. Even when walking at an athletic pace, constructive movements such as leaning or squatting are few.

For ADAC avoidance test Cupra Born is also convincing. On the one hand, it reacts to sudden and adaptive driving with a certain deceleration behavior, with an effective decrease in speed with the help of ESP. On the other hand, he can be driven precisely and quickly through the road with targeted evasive maneuvers. Especially with that Driving dynamics This means that he can earn points without neglecting driving safety. Standard steering marks with decent, not-too-powerful power steering assistance and good feedback. The driving force can be varied in two steps using the driving profile selection.

Sportsman at the push of a button

suitable Driving software is selected using two open buttons on the steering wheel. The button on the right takes you directly to the advanced Cupra sports mode. With the button on the left, all driving programs can be selected linearly: from a reserved, economical driving style to a powerful push.

The selected modes affect not only the operation, but also the driving behavior and that Engine response characteristics. Busy Cupra drivers here always feel like they’re in Formula 1, with all the buttons and electronic aids. But if you drive the car in an ambitious, sporty way, the range decreases even more.

Balanced suspension comfort

And its optional chassis variable damper control (DCC), the test car offers convincing suspension comfort – despite the large 20-inch wheels (optional) that the test car is equipped with. Even in urban areas, i.e. at low speeds, the bumps are well absorbed by the chassis and reach the residents only through dirt.

At higher speeds, the Cupra is more relaxed and convincing balanced suspension comfort – the low center of gravity has a positive effect here. The difference between the characteristics of a selectable damper – from sport to comfort – can be clearly felt.

Those known from VW Operational defects Unfortunately, this has been adopted in the Cupra. It will take some time before the partially impossible toe sliders and internal temperatures disappear again. The tiny display is also annoying for the Born, although the Cupra shows more information right from the start (such as current range and battery percentage). On-board computer information can also be displayed. It was positive in the ADAC test good route planning of the navigation system, which connects the payment points along the route and displays a lot of useful information, calculated and updated in real time.

There is plenty of room in the Cupra Born

Cupra Born offers a comfortable seating position even for tall people. The Foot room it is enough for people with a height of 1.95 meters, and the headroom is even up to a height of about 2.10 meters.
enough If you adjust the front seats for a passenger of 1.85 meters, the knees of those sitting in the back only touch the front seats if they are more than two meters tall. The rearward sloping roofline brings Aerodynamic advantagesbut it restricts the back room to some extent, but it still extends to a height of about 1.85 meters.

What? variable trunk floor In the lower position, the luggage compartment under the trunk lid holds 315 liters. If you remove the upper lid and use the storage space up to the roof, the volume increases to 430 liters. It is enough for up to seven crates of drinks. Using the entire space behind the front seats, up to 1195 liters Keep the luggage. Trailers or support loads are not permitted. Likewise, the Cupra does not allow roof luggage. Unfortunately, this greatly limits the possible uses.

• Read the detailed Cupra Born e-Boost (58 kWh) test report as PDF here

Cupra Born: technical data and price

ADAC tests

ADAC test decision

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