2023 Cupra Born full Australian details revealed before European car arrives

The newest European brand to launch in Australia has confirmed an exciting new electric vehicle is coming to offer more choice to car lovers.

A new electric car with a twist is coming to Australia.

Spanish brand Cupra, which is the latest marque from the Volkswagen stable, is bringing its Born electric car Down Under from early 2023.

The Born is a Volkswagen Golf sized hatchback that promises hot hatch driving thrills without the tailpipe emissions.

The Cupra Born electric car is due in Australia next year.

Cupra said the Born is one of the most enquired cars in the range, pointing towards it becoming an instant hit.

Pitched at the Tesla Model 3, but with a more popular hatch body style, the Born combines a punchy 170kW/310Nm electric motor and sports car-like rear-wheel drive traction.

The Born isn’t fast, making the 0-100km/h sprint in seven seconds. That is well behind petrol-powered hot hatches such as the VW Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N.

Cupra said its engineers have given the Born some sporty flair by focusing on the driver appeal.

Cupra claims the Born is more like a small performance car.

It’s matched the steering, ride, handling and the electronic stability control sensitivity with the instantaneous torque of the electronic motor.

It also comes with performance car goodies such as progressive steering that allows drivers to tackle consistent tight turns easier by requiring less steering wheel turn.

Buyers can further boost the car’s sporty flavour by adding an optional Performance Pack that increases the alloy-wheels from 19- to 20-inches and wraps them in grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Cupra’s engineers have worked hard to boost the vehicle’s driving characteristics.

The pack also includes selectable driving modes, including Sport mode, that alters the car’s characteristics such as suspension stiffness, throttle response and steering input.

The drawback is adding the pack decreases the driving range and installs a four seat layout instead of the standard five seats.

It comes with a large 82kWh battery that allows for a driving range of more than 500km.

Its battery can accept up to 170kW, which is well behind other electric vehicles from Tesla, Hyundai and Porsche.

Cupra Australia boss, Ben Wilks, said the Born would be priced close to its similar-sized petrol-powered Leon VZx or about $72,000 drive-away.

The Cupra combines luxury and sporty elements.

“The Born is a BEV with a long 500km-plus range, exclusive rear-wheel drive hot hatch dynamics, plus the interior space and versatility of a larger vehicle. Its specifications are ideal for progressive Australian customers who will also be drawn to pricing similar to our other great hot hatch, the Leon VZx,” said Wilks.

There are plenty of hi-tech features inside.

A big 12-inch central touchscreen that is compatible with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto that needs to be connected with a cord.

This is paired with a wireless device charging pad, four USB-C ports and a small 5.3-inch digital instrument display.

Shoppers can expect a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, ambient lighting, sporty bucket seats and aluminium pedals.

Buyers can boost this further with an optional Interior Package that adds faux leather and heated front bucket seats that are electronically adjustable and come with a massage function. Interior ambience is further enhanced with a nine speaker Beats stereo with a subwoofer and a four seat layout.

The Born comes with a complete array of safety gear, too.