2023 Cupra Born electric hatch due in March or April; $60k price targeted

The 2023 Cupra Born will arrive in March or April with a $60,000 price target, the brand announced today.

It will become the first electric vehicle sold by Volkswagen Group Australia – and the Cupra brand – ahead of the launch of the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 medium SUVs later in 2023.

JUMP AHEAD

• Estimated pricing
• Powertrains, charging and driving range
• Features and options
• Safety
• Dimensions
• Warranty and servicing
• Availability

UPDATE, December 2022: Australian Born pricing announced

Cupra has confirmed Australian pricing and features for its Born electric hatch. Get all the details at the link below.

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2023 Cupra Born estimated pricing

Cupra’s local arm said the Born has “accumulated significant interest in Australia” with enquiries second only to the Formentor crossover, which is available in turbo-petrol or plug-in hybrid guise.

“The Born is a [battery electric vehicle] BEV with a long 500 kilometre-plus range, exclusive rear-wheel drive hot hatch dynamics, plus the interior space and versatility of a larger vehicle,” said Cupra Australia director Ben Wilks.

“Its specifications are ideal for progressive Australian customers who will also be drawn to pricing similar to our other great hot hatch, the Leon VZx.”

This should equate to a price between $60,000 and $65,000 before on-road costs – or around $65,000 to $70,000 drive-away without available EV subsidies – with the Leon VZx priced at $61,490 plus on-roads.

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Powertrains, charging and driving range

Only the flagship Born will be offered in Australia, pairing an 82kWh lithium-ion battery with a single electric motor mounted to the rear axle.

The electric motor – featuring the ‘e-Boost’ performance pack as standard – produces 170kW and 310Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of seven seconds.

This allows for a claimed 511-kilometre driving range, with support for 170kW DC fast charging.

However, that range figure is based on more lenient ADR and NEDC protocols, with a 422-kilometre claim on Europe's stricter WLTP standard.

“Teamed with rear-drive, the Born will be unique in the market as a dedicated ‘hot hatch’ with instant responses from the throttle and steering,” said Cupra Australia.

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2023 Cupra Born features

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Options

Interior package

Comparisons

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Performance package

Metallic paint – glacial white, geyser silver, quasar grey and rayleigh red
Premium metallic paint – aurora blue.

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Safety

While the Cupra Born has yet to be rated by ANCAP, it received five stars from Euro NCAP under the latest 2020-22 criteria.

It has a 93 per cent score for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for children, 73 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 80 per cent for safety assist.

Seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain, and front-centre) feature across the range.

The following active safety equipment is fitted as standard:

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Dimensions

The Cupra Born has a wheelbase of 2675 millimetres, and is 4322mm long, 1809mm wide, and 1537mm tall.

It has a claimed 385-litre boot space, which is similar to the internal-combustion Leon hatchback (380L).

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Warranty and servicing

As per the wider Cupra range, the Born will be covered by the brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Cupra Australia has yet to announce details for battery coverage and servicing information for its electric vehicles. The high-voltage components in its plug-in hybrid range are covered for eight years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first.

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Availability

The 2023 Cupra Born electric hatchback will arrive in Australia in March or April, with full details and pricing to be announced in the coming months.

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