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

The MEB platform on which the Cupra was born is, of course, familiar to us. You have had the opportunity to read it many times, including: on Antyweb.pl in the automotive section. I especially recommend testing the range of the 58 kWh version on the Warsaw-Mikołajki-Warsaw route without recharging 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. The differences, however, appear in the alignment and final “tuning” of individual items, and this is where the Cupra Born has a chance to prove itself, because the creators tried hard to ensure that the behavior of the Born was completely different from Ä. ID.3 and as you expected, it worked of course.

MEB in a more sporty version

It should start with the fact that the Cupra Born has a rigid suspension with a reduction of 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), then of course the acceleration is also better: 6.6 instead of 7.3 seconds in the sprint 0-100 km / h 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 cars). 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 fact, the relative performance is still below this value (eg ~70%), but in fact at 50% a drop in performance can already be observed.

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Although theoretically high power – 231 HP for the Born e-Boost version – is only available in Cupra mode, thanks to the fact that this car has a “kickdown”, full power is available regardless of the driving mode, just press the trigger. long enough pedal – big plus for that!

The Cupra Born e-Boost is characterized by a bit of understeer when driving at speed (a rear-wheel drive, after all), which, together with a precise and direct steering system, makes the driving experience very pleasant and comfortable. completely involved. Of course, in some cases the weight cannot be deceived – ~ 1830 kg with a 58 kWh battery and ~ 1950 kg with 77 kWh – but for an electric car in the body of a crossover / SUV it is very good.

Cupra Born e-Boost wewnętrzu

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

The sporty character of the Cupra Born is also emphasized by carbon fiber materials and buttons on the steering wheel to change the driving modes – yes, 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. In addition: it was not decided to add artificial sound to 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 methods “D” and “B” – the minimum and maximum recovery rate. However, it is not necessary 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 when you release the brakes (it does not shift on a small hill) makes the driving style reminiscent of 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. Sitting behind me, I had more than 10 cm of space left in front of my knees, and another 3-4 cm above my head.

The front seats offer a basic range of adjustments, although without the possibility 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 the car being turned on. 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 is before ID. Software 3.1), as well as the updated version during the tests on Continental AllSeasonContact 2 tires. The newer version works more efficiently and does not stutter a bit, and that’s important, because before the update it was bad. In both cases, however, it must be said that the configuration is at a high level.

The steering wheel of the Cupra Born is covered in leather of a pleasant quality and generally fits well in the hands. The column can be changed in two planes in the range. 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 the multimedia – very often they can be used inadvertently when they are held correctly on the steering wheel. The second is their use: there is a difference between a swipe and a click – and that’s fine. But this change must be done in a special way: the best is perhaps to increase the pressure (as if by clicking at the end) to produce the desired function.

You already know about the touch – and unfortunately also not illuminated – fields for controlling the temperature and volume, 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!

The overall quality of the interior is 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 lights in the cabin, also in the back, as well as the ISOFIX hooks not only for the two rear seats, but also in the front passenger seat.

Zasięgi zużycie energy

As I said before, I tested two copies of the Cupra Born e-Boost. In Poland, there are variants with the old version of the program, with winter tires and rolling resistance index D and E (very weak) and with the new program with Continental AllSeasonContact 2 tires This, of course, affects energy consumption, which in Poland it 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 y to get a lower consumption by several percent. 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 loading? After updating, you can get up to 170 kW. In fact, it will take about 30 minutes to fill the 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 have 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 autumn and winter periods.

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 counting any subsidies, eg “My Electrician”) for 58 kWh and ~ 232 thousand PLN for 77 kWh. A well-equipped baby born with a big battery can reach 250,000 km. back,. 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 seats 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.