2022 Cupra Born unveiled, Australian launch uncertain

Cupra’s first electric car has been unveiled in production trim… but it may look familiar to some.

The Cupra Born is based on the Volkswagen ID.3 hatch. The two cars share their basic structure, including doors and overall silhouette.

It’s not yet clear if the Born will form part of Cupra’s range when the brand launches in Australia during 2022. The company says it will make an announcement about its local product plans in the coming months.

The Born features unique front and rear detailing with sharp headlights, sportier bumpers, full-width tail lights, and a different C-pillar graphic treatment to give the illusion of a floating roof.

Inside, the Cupra has a new dashboard with a stronger horizontal theme, a more harmoniously-integrated 12.0-inch infotainment screen, copper highlights, a unique steering wheel, a redesigned centre console, and unique door trims.

The Born is offered with two drivetrains we’ve already seen in the ID.3, with either a 110kW or 150kW motor driving the rear wheels.

To justify the Born’s sportier positioning and styling, there is an e-Boost option that increases power output to 170kW.

All of the Born’s motors are said to generate 310Nm of torque.

With a 58kWh battery pack the Born e-Boost is capable of reeling off the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds, but this rises to 7.0 seconds with the heavier 77kWh battery.

A 45kWh battery pack is available on base models. Depending on the battery and motor combination chosen, driving range is between 340km and 550km according to the WLTP test.

For now, at least, the Born misses out on the 220kW two-motor all-wheel drive system in the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX.