Cupra Born VZ: EV hot hatch coming early 2026, more affordable options could follow

Cupra Australia will finally bring the 240kW Born VZ electric hot hatch early in 2026, though customers eager for less powerful variants will have to wait a little longer.

Speaking with CarExpert, head of product for Cupra Australia – Jeff Shafer – said the high-performance Born will arrive at the beginning of next year (despite being earmarked for late-2025 as recently as March), while lesser variants may arrive with an incoming mid-life facelift.

“We’re in the process of planning the rest of the Born range beyond the VZ – even for the VZ we’re still locking in a couple of final details,” Mr Shafer said.

“There’s a facelift coming soon, so we’re looking at the timing in terms of whether it makes sense to bring [lower variants] back in the shorter term, or wait for the [mid-life update].”

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Asked about how the ever-changing EV market has impacted Cupra’s approach, particularly with regards to re-introducing the Born, Mr Shafer said the Spanish brand will focus on driver enjoyment and value to stand out from increasing competition from the likes of emerging Chinese brands.

“Cupra doesn’t aspire to be all things to all people… so we really want to make sure that we’re bringing cars that are appealing to people’s emotions, and are above all fun to drive,” Mr Shafer said.

“With the Born, we got a lot of positive feedback on the ride and handling, and how there was a feeling of quality. I think these aspects take the VZ up to another level in terms of the responsiveness.

“Bringing Tavascan into the market, in the EV space just making sure you’ve got a product that doesn’t follow the others [is important].

“[Pricing] is always a challenge, and we don’t take anything for granted in the Australian market. It did move very quickly, so we’re trying to make sure we’re bringing a product that has the right positioning, offers value that customers can see.

“But also, making sure that the points of difference that we believe we have in design, ride and handling, and calibration of our assistance systems is also communicated so that people understand what they’re getting for their money,” Mr Shafer continued.

“It’s important that people feel like they have value. So we’re not always chasing the cheapest price point, I don’t think that’s ever our position, but you definitely have to have a value that people can see and appreciate.”

The Cupra Born VZ features a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 240kW of power and 545Nm of torque, increases of 70kW and 235Nm over the standard 170kW Born that is now sold out in Australia.

As a result, the Born VZ can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 200km/h. Other changes under the skin of the VZ include a slightly larger 79kWh battery pack and a new DCC Sport chassis setup that includes revised dampers, anti-roll bars and rear springs.

Exterior upgrades are limited to wider tyres and a choice of two 20-inch alloy wheel designs (globally): either forged or with 3D copper inserts. Two new colours join the palette: Midnight Black and Dark Forest green.

Inside the cabin, the VZ is ready for the racetrack with bucket seats finished in recycled materials. The tech has also been improved over the base car, with the fitment of an upsized 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that features Cupra’s latest operating system.

The early 2026 launch timing is yet another delay for the flagship Born, which was originally due in May 2025, then pushed back to late 2025 as recently as March. This means when it arrives, it will be almost a year late.

No doubt one reason for the delay is the Spanish brand’s local strategy of giving each new model “the right time in the sun”, as communicated by Cupra Australia’s former director Ben Wilks earlier this year.

“It’s important to really roll these out responsibly in terms of timing. Each of these models needs the right time in the sun,” Mr Wilks told CarExpert in March.

“These are not necessarily delays from a factory perspective, but rather structure and order from our perspective.”

However, since Mr Wilks’ comments launch timings for several new models have changed again. The facelifted Formentor and hotter Born VZ electric hatch were both initially due on sale here before the end of 2025, and now both are coming early next year.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest Cupra Born updates

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