√2023 Cupra Born electric car detailed for Australia, here next year

Australian details have been revealed for the Cupra Born electric ‘hot hatch’, due in showrooms in March or April with an expected price of $60,000 plus on-road costs.

The 2023 Cupra Born electric car is due in Australian showrooms in the first half of next year, with more than 500km of claimed driving range in one well-specified model grade.

Due in Cupra showrooms in March or April 2023, the Born is the Volkswagen Group-owned Spanish brand’s first electric car – and will beat its twin under the skin, the Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatch, to Australian showrooms by one or two years.

A single model variant – with two option packages – will be offered in Australia, with the largest battery pack and electric motor available globally delivering up to 511km of claimed driving range, and a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds.

Final pricing is yet to be confirmed for Australia, but Cupra Australia director Ben Wilks said in a media statement to expect “pricing similar to our other great hot hatch, the Leon VZx” – which is priced from $61,490 plus on-road costs, or $65,490 drive-away.

Cupra Australia product planning boss Jeff Shafer indicated to Drive in July estimated pricing in the “high $50,000s or low $60,000s”. It wasn’t stated at the time if this included or excluded on-road costs.

For the money, buyers of the Born will receive the most powerful model available in Europe, with a 170kW/310Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels – badged ‘e-Boost’ – and a 77kWh battery.

The power and torque outputs sit between 140kW/320Nm ‘V’ and 180kW/370Nm ‘VZ’ versions of the petrol-powered Cupra Leon hatchback – though the 7.0-second claimed 0-100km/h time is closer to the Leon V, partly due to the Born’s 1927kg dry weight in Australia.

It’s capable of DC fast charging at up to 170kW, or AC charging on a home or office wallbox at up to 11kW.

Standard features on Australian models include 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12-inch touchscreen, LED headlights and tail-lights, 385-litre boot, ‘Seaqual/ fabric trim (made from recycled plastic ocean waste), wireless phone charging, and a full suite of advanced safety features.

Regular Cupra Born variants in Australia are slated to have five seats – but optioning either of the available packages, Interior or Performance, removes the middle rear seat for a total of four.

This is consistent with high-spec European versions of the Cupra Born – and its Volkswagen ID.3 twin – where reports suggest the fifth seat is removed to reduce the vehicle’s weight when loaded up with passengers.

The Interior Package includes heated microfibre front seats with electric adjustment and a premium sound system, while the Performance Package adds 20-inch wheels, wider tyres and adaptive suspension. Prices for these packs will be confirmed closer to launch.

The 2023 Cupra Born is due in Australia in March or April next year, with pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Cupra Australia says the Born has attracted more registrations of interest locally than the Ateca SUV and Leon hatch (but less than the flagship Formentor SUV).

2023 Cupra Born standard features:

Five seats
19-inch black and copper ‘Typhoon’ alloy wheels (expected to use 215mm-wide tyres)
Drive mode selector
Sports steering and suspension
Dusk-sensing LED headlights with auto high beam
LED tail-lights
Rear privacy glass
Heated power-folding side mirrors
12-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and digital radio
5.3-inch digital instrument display
Wireless phone charging
Keyless entry and start
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
Ambient interior lighting
Four USB-C ports (two front, two rear)
Heated leather sports steering wheel
Seaqual fabric-trimmed front sports seats
Aluminium pedals
Floor mats and alarm system
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
Adaptive cruise control
Lane-keep assist
Blind-spot monitoring
Rear cross-traffic alert
Side exit warning
Driver fatigue monitoring
Automatic park assist with sensors
360-degree camera
Pre-Crash Assist
Tyre pressure monitoring
Seven airbags (including front-centre airbag)
Mode 3 32-amp charging cable
Metallic paint