Cupra has become a brand in its own right, in particular to instill a sporting spirit in cars that have been taken or could have been taken from the Seat catalog. Does the Born illustrate this philosophy well within the Volkswagen group?
Caution
For obvious safety reasons, we do not recommend trying to push into a corner on open roads. at Cupra Born or any other vehicle.
Life is a precious commodity to be preserved, whether for oneself or for others.
Just like with professional pilots, no driver is immune to the unexpected or an error of judgment. Driving electric also and above all means inventing another way of driving.
Little history
In 2019, Seat presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show its concept el-Born with the aim of making it the second electric car in its 2020 catalog, after the Mii cloned on la Volkswagen e-Up!.
Equipped with a ” sporty and emotional drawing », according to the terms taken from the annual report of the group chaired by Herbert Diessit had to take up elements of l’ID.3to start with the famous MEB platform reserved for connected vehicles. Finally, marketing began a year later, under the Cupra logo.
Today, for a common torque of 310 Nm, two engine powers are available: 150 kW (204 hp) for the Born V at our disposal, and 170 kW (230 hp) for the Born VZ. Concretely, these endowments make it possible to complete the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 and 6.6 s respectively.
They share a battery with a useful energy capacity of 58 kWh (62 kWh in total), for a range in the WLTP combined cycle of between 388 and 417 km, depending on presentation and options. The range should expand in the coming months.
A sporty look?
Does the Cupra Born have a sporty look? Max Freyss asked himself this question. He noticed the 20-inch alloy wheels treated in black and rose gold. ” Twenty inches, it’s sporty, and we have fairly thin tires “, he appreciates. This impression is completed by a fairly low ground clearance, a rounded roof, and 2 artistic choices.
First, on each side, a black plastic piece with patterns. Extending the glazing, it brings fluidity. Then, gray side sills add dynamism.
Read also
Cupra Born: the compact electric is displayed at less than 30,000 € in Germany
On the front face, the optical units appear aggressive. ” They give a pretty edgy shape to the vehicle », Says our videographer. The rear bumper with fins completes this range well, as well as the racy light strip. Max Freyss prefers the white Nevada (option at 640 euros) of the model at our disposal, the blue Aurora (955 euros).
On board
Probably a bit busy when you’re used to a Tesla Model 3the dashboard of at Cupra Born happily mixes different materials. There is a gray reminder of the plastic part in the rear quarter panel. The 2 additional tablets are easily readable.
On current cars, the steering wheels are subject to styles that are not necessarily unanimous in use. This is the case on this electric compact where bulges come to thwart the finesse of the hoop. Bucket seats offer a good compromise between support and comfort. They are heated and massage, and are equally appreciated with each of the 4 driving modes Individual, Performance, Comfort and Range.
It was the latter that Max Freyss initially tried. In order to promote autonomy, it limits performance, makes the suspensions softer and moderates the consumption of the heating-air conditioning system.
Exploit all performance
Unlike Range, Performance mode unleashes the engine. The Cupra Born’s steering wheel travel and damping will be stiffened for more precise driving. Our videographer’s preferences go to the Range and Comfort choices. ” We really enjoy riding it. Even in Range mode, we have a hard time getting out of a roundabout “, he says, noting the propulsion behavior of the electric compact.
The driving position appears relatively high for a car that has a rather low ground clearance. What is significant to dominate the road. It is however by switching to Performance that Max Freyss will push at Cupra Born. He noticed ” an acceleration from 0 to 80 km / h quite punchy “. However, he regrets: Beyond that, we have the impression that it lacks a little juice. We feel that it no longer pushes very hard ».
However, the machine kept its promises by achieving the 0-100 km / h in 7.24 s on our stopwatch. In the ascent to the Col de Saverne, even foot to the floor (while respecting the speed limits) and in Performance mode, the machine was a little disappointing.
The limits of the Cupra Born
First astonishing limit for a car that wants to be sporty: a top speed of 160 km/h. ” It could at least be around 180 km / h “, evaluates our tester. However, he points out the disadvantage of fitting wide 20-inch tyres: higher consumption which has a negative effect on autonomy and less absorption of roughness in the road surface which can make the vehicle relatively uncomfortable.
This last point is, however, contradicted by the essay by Max Freyss: Even in Performance mode, which firms up the suspensions, it’s still very comfortable, and perhaps too comfortable for a sports car. ».
In his twelve-minute video, he points to the regeneration device of at Cupra Born which does not allow the vehicle to come to a standstill by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator. You have to press the brake pedal for that.
And without ESP
With a fairly low center of gravity, the electric compact grips the road well, even when wet. ” We can still have fun. It’s still nice as driving, it’s dynamic “Judges our videographer.
With the ESP inhibited, the tires can quickly begin to squeal if you tickle the machine too much. Its behavior remains fairly neutral, however, and we did not notice a tendency to chase from the rear.
« With this model, we have just the power we need to keep it manageable by motorists. The 230 hp version must bring a little something extra, even if I think it’s still too weak », compare Max Freyss.
Conclusion
Is the Cupra Born a car with sports genes? Externally, it does indeed present a look that hints at it. with a very aggressive look up front and a few specs here and there “, identifies our tester.
« Unfortunately, the engine does not follow. It’s not a Cupra, strictly speaking “, he decides. Which does not prevent him from finding this car ” very pleasant, very comfortable, all the same dynamic, with recovery and the comfort he is looking for.
We invite you to find on Youtube the episodes of “Max goes electric” as well as our connected car tests. By subscribing and agreeing to receive notifications, you will be quickly notified of our new publications.