By Ian Strachan.
The range of fully electric cars on the market is growing rapidly, and you can be forgiven for thinking that some of them are just dull: dull to look at and dull to drive.
In some cases, particularly those that been available for a while, you’d be right. But going fully electric doesn’t mean you have to forego the fun of driving.
Zero emissions don’t have to mean zero excitement. And i the case of the new CUPRA Born you get a car that looks good, performs extremely well and gives you an enjoyable and engaging drive.
The CUPRA Born, as well as being fully electric with a 58kw battery, develops 230PS, has a top speed of 99 mph and will propel you from 0 to 60 mph in around six and a half seconds.
Of course if you take full advantage of the Born’s peppy performance, you won’t get the published range of 264 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 five to 80 per cent of just 35 minutes – assuming you can find a charging station.
The Born is a good looker from all angles. My test car came in an attractive Vapor Grey. Grey seems to be the obligatory colour for new cars this year. Its side-on appearance is enhance with sporty 19-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows and CUPRA’s attractive copper-coloured badging.
The interior of the CUPRA Born is modern and well laid out. You get pleasant trim and seat materials with CUPRA detailing, heated sports front seats, heated, leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel, and plenty of storage spaces.
Specification on the Born V2 spec which I tested is good, with electronic air conditioning, panoramic roof, all-round airbags, 12-inch colour touch-screen navigation system with DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity, head-up display, adaptive cruise control and a range of safety technology including tiredness recognition, lane keeping aid, 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, 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 is sure-footed and involving, with a drive mode selection for comfort or performance, or an individual setting. lowered sports suspension and progressive steering. My test car had a pleasant single-speed automatic gearbox.
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 £40,425 on the road – but you get a lot of car for your money. And you are saving the planet.
