By Ian Strachan.
The multi-award winning all-electric CUPRA Born made a big impression when it was launched in 2021, picking up many accolades. It demonstrated clearly that zero emissions didn’t have to mean zero excitement, with a car that looks good, performs well and gives an enjoyable and engaging drive.
Now it’s got even better with the Born VZ which adds sparkling performance to its many virtues.
The Barcelona-built CUPRA Born VZ, as well as being fully electric with a 79kw e-Boost battery, develops an impressive 326 PS, has a top speed of 124 mph and will propel you from 0 to 60 mph in less than five and a half seconds.
Of course if you take full advantage of the Born VZ’s power, you won’t get the published range of 372 miles on a single charge. Being heavy-footed has a range penalty. But you’ll still get sufficient range for most journeys and this car has a DC rapid charge time from 10 to 80 per cent of around half an hour.
The Born VZ, like the standard Born, is a good looker from all angles. My test car came in an attractive Dark Forest green. Its sharp side-on appearance is enhance with sporty 20-inch alloy wheels and CUPRA’s attractive copper-coloured badging.
The interior of the CUPRA Born VZ is modern and well laid out. You get ultra-comfortable bucket sports seats and a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel with gear paddles to adjust driving style. A panoramic sunroof helps the overall ambience of the interior.
Specification on the Born VZ spec is very good, with electronic dual-zone air conditioning, 12.9 -inch colour touch-screen navigation system with a premium sound system, head-up display, adaptive cruise control and a range of safety technology including lane keeping aid which can be switched off more easily in this car than many others, distance monitoring and road sign display.
You also get interior ambient lighting, electric windows and door mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers, heated windscreen washers, rear parking sensors with camera including top-view camera, park assist, sports suspension and smartphone charger. The Born also has some more idiosyncratic features – power is switched on when you get into the car, and switches off when you get out. Clever.
Handling on the Born VZ is sure-footed and involving, with robust suspension a drive mode selection for comfort or performance, or an individual setting, and progressive steering.
If the is your first experience of a fully electric vehicle you’ll be hooked for life. It’s not cheap – my test car came at £46,390 on the road including upgraded alloys and special paint treatment – but you get a lot of car for your money. And you are saving the planet.
