Amid all the drama presently swirling around the Volkswagen Group, it’s all too easy to overlook just how good quite a few of its newest models are. One such is the VZ version of the Cupra Born, a kind of e-GTI which just happens to be a whole bundle of fun.
As I learned this time last year when driving one for the first time, the Born is one of the best EVs not just in its segment but generally. Somehow, the differences compared to its VW ID.3 brother make for a near-great small hatchback, never mind what powers it.
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Spanish for fast
The arrival of the VZ (mean to be an abbreviation of Veloz) is also perfectly timed, what with the general plunge in sales of EVs almost everywhere, although not China.
To start with, the Born gains an appearance package, creating a genuinely sporty looking car, some especially sexy 20-inch wheels the icing on the cake. The signature copper-coloured accents are naturally present – there is a well-placed piece of trim on what is a deep front air dam – while side skirts and bumpers are also bespoke.
On the propulsion side of things, Seat has been given access all areas to the Volkswagen Group’s latest motors and supplied-batteries, a contrast to how things once were. Which means raised outputs of 240 kW (326 PS) and 545 Nm along with a 79 kWh (net) pack of cells.
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By GlobalDataUntil now the biggest capacity battery in any Born was 77 kWh, while top speed for the VZ is also increased, to 200 km/h or 124 mph. That’s the same v-max as the ID.3 GTX Performance (180 for the non-Performance), power and torque also being identical.
Bigger screen, lit sliders
Some were not too keen on certain aspects of the Born’s dashboard and controls but to give the Volkswagen Group some credit here, it has listened to criticism. So it is that the disliked-by-many volumes and HVAC temperature sliders have been improved and now feature illumination. Also, the touchscreen they are positioned below is larger, which many will be pleased about.
The general look of the interior is generally more premium too, aided by VZ-specific sports seats and lovely (recycled) upholstery – especially, of all places, atop the central cubby – which is soft yet seems hard-wearing too.
Certain other things, such as the once wobbly and slippery electric mirror knob, are now precise in action and easy to grip. Let’s hope that the era of what seemed to be Volkswagen AG hammering suppliers down to the last cent seems to be in the past.
Brake-by-fingers
Other, equally new Cupra models also have this but the VZ is the first Born to gain three levels of braking regeneration versus just the one. This is done via paddles and there is zero jerking, just the gentlest of deceleration. I hardly touched the left pedal in the test car and when moving off the mark or under hard acceleration it’s equally silky. Impressive stuff. And of interest: the same drum rear brakes as fitted to lesser Borns (and ID.3s) also feature.
SEAT has, as you would expect, fettled the suspension settings, along with the steering system. What was already a very impressive car is now an outstanding one. How good is it? Even the Golf GTI should be worried. And for added fun, you can press a so-called ‘e-Boost’ button with your right thumb and 20 kW of bonus power is activated. Zero to 62 mph takes 5.6 seconds.
On some very slippery roads in The Cotswolds following the now infamous Storm Bert, the still only two-wheel drive VZ felt amazingly safe. The back tyres only once threatened to spin and that was tamed in an instant, traction immediately restored by the electronic angels. I could only imagine how fantastic the quickest Born yet would be on dry and mud-free bitumen.
Why so few colours?
One of a mere few things I’d like to see done differently on this otherwise great car would be more colour choices. ‘Aurora Blue’ is available for the lesser V1, V2 and V3 trims but the VZ cannot be ordered in this configuration. It does at least come in a special green called Dark Forest (see image above) but the only other choices are white, silver, grey and black.
Why not any kind of red? The car would look sensational in that colour, particularly with the optional (GBP1,145) gloss black ‘Tornado’ wheels on 235/40 R20 tyres of the press tester. Perhaps more hues will be added during model year changes in 2025 and 2026?
The fact that I am having a gentle moan about paint goes to show how hard it would be to improve this new and fastest Born. I did wonder if that huge volume of torque might overwhelm the back tyres but no, they cope brilliantly and 4WD is not needed.
Summary
The VZ is now my favourite EV, so captivating a car is it. A 385-litre boot and abundant room for five occupants make the case for it as segment leader compelling.
Next for Cupra
The model line-up seems to be expanding all the time with the made-in-China Tavascan coupé-SUV being another fresh EV. It comes to the UK from early 2025, joining the Formentor crossover and León hatchback/estate, each of which was facelifted a few months back. Then there’s also the Terramar SUV, a twin-under-the-skin of the new Q3 and built alongside that Audi at Győr in Hungary. The Ateca SUV was also refreshed not too long ago. Is it any wonder that brand sales have risen to almost two per cent of the European market (Acea: 1.9% or 178,712 units as at the end of October)?
The new VZ has a claimed range of up to 372 miles, can be charged at up to 185 kW and sits atop the existing Cupra Born variants. These, called V1, V2 and V3, are priced between GBP35,495 and GBP41,795. They have either 59 kWh (charging at up to 165 kW) or 77 kWh (up to 175 kW) batteries versus 79 kWh for the GBP44,625 VZ. Kerb weight is 1,999 kg, 158 kilos more than V1, V2 and V3 cars with the 59 kWh battery.
