Cupra Born VZ driving report: fun with excitement

It paved the way for the still young Cupra brand towards electric mobility. A good four years later, all eyes are currently on the new Raval small electric car, but with the new Born VZ, the Catalans are showing that design and sportiness can make even an outdated base a lot of driving pleasure. The spearhead of the series impresses on first acquaintance with power, performance and plenty of space for people and luggage. Unfortunately, the pleasure doesn't come cheap.

Even the appearance of the new Born VZ is a statement for a brand that has only been around for eight years. At first, it was only the sharpest Seat models that were proud to bear the "Cupra" seal of quality. The sporty abbreviation for "Cup Racer" has long since become an identity in its own right. With its own logo, its own image and, above all, its own self-confidence. While comparable models from the Group have a rather staid appearance, the new Born shell also sends the light over nooks and crannies, folds and furrows and the airstream around the body and 20-inch wheels in an even smarter way. Jagged matrix at the front, powerful diffuser at the rear - once again, Martorell and Wolfsburg are worlds apart.

This also applies to the interior. Amidst lots of black and copper-colored trim, bucket seats of the Abraham's bosom type embrace you. In view: A redesigned steering wheel with new controls, an almost 13-inch touchscreen and a cockpit screen that has grown to 10.25 inches. The head-up display projects really important information virtually in front of the driver's eyes - including whirring direction arrows for navigation. This is literally great cinema. Naturally, the Born VZ maintains speed, lane and distance, keeps an eye out for junctions and blind spots and drops anchor in an emergency. And for those who want to think about the environment despite all the performance: Almost every type of Cupra fabric contains a high proportion of flax fibers, marine plastic and recycled fishing nets. Unfortunately, the legacy of the sliders remains. They are now illuminated, but you can't really get used to them.

But you can get used to the power. When it comes to performance, the refreshed Born VZ is - at least for the time being - the ballerina of the series. The electric motor mobilizes a smooth 240 kW (326 hp), fed by a 79 kWh battery, which should be sufficient for a range of almost 630 kilometers according to the WLTP. However, since the temptation of stepless acceleration including Launch Control lurks everywhere, you won't get that far in everyday life. On the other hand, nobody orders a VZ to save electricity. Instead, there is the Endurance version with 170 kW (231 hp), identical battery and range or the basic version, which operates with 140 kW (190 hp) from a 58 kWh battery and allows up to 484 kilometers. A new feature is the V2L function for powering laptops or e-bikes.

For all those who still have doubts: driving electrically is fun. Especially in the Born VZ, because despite all the urge to progress, it retains virtues from the early days of the VW Group: rear engine and rear-wheel drive. Together with the precise progressive steering, this concept provides the powerful dynamics that you appreciate when you're chasing around bends. Especially as the assistance can be gradually reduced. Thanks to the sophisticated five-link rear suspension, the Born VZ has a pleasingly low tendency to lean, accelerates like a bat out of hell (5.6 seconds to 100 km/h), cuts across country at lightning speed and reaches 200 km/h on the highway. The DCC suspension is - of course - configured in a sporty way, but never becomes uncomfortable and maintains a wide limit range. If you want, you can still adjust the set-up individually, but you have to be willing to go to work to force the car off the well-kept curves towards the tangent.

But regardless of whether you drive quickly or economically, the battery will run out at some point. At the fast charger, Cupra's youngest sucks up direct current for a good 350 kilometers in less than 30 minutes, while a full charge at the wallbox at home takes up to eight and a half hours. A small downer: while the large batteries can handle 185 kW of power, the small battery only has a rather meagre 105 kW. Pleasing on the other hand: The Born actually decelerates to a standstill via recuperation - even on sloping terrain. With a little foresight, you rarely need to use the mechanical components. Speaking of which, there are Beetle-style drums at the rear. Sounds old-fashioned, but has advantages in terms of weight and space - and the pads last the life of the car, Cupra promises. At the front, ventilated discs are used - and because the wheels only steer but do not drive, 10.20 meters are enough for a turn.

The e-architecture also provides unusual space in the passenger compartment. Even in the second row. For a similar amount of space in a combustion engine, you would have to move up a class. The advantage of having the battery flat on the floor and the permanently energized synchronous motor under the trunk. And so the 4.34-metre-long Born can take a lot: 385 liters behind the seats - almost 1.3 cubic meters with flat backrests. Only getting into the rear requires a slightly humble head position. A small sacrifice in view of the sleek roofline and the one and a half centimeters more crouched position compared to the VW ID.3.

The doors to the basic version open from 35,990 euros, while the mid-range version is available from 41,990 euros. The Cupra VZ starts at 46,990 euros. With a heat pump, glass roof and other bells and whistles, you even get a five up front. Performance is simply not for hucksters. (aum)

Data Cupra Born VZ

Length x width x height (m): 4.34 x 1.81 x 1.54
Wheelbase (m): 2.77
Drive: Electric, 240 kW (326 hp), rear-wheel drive, automatic transmission
Max. Torque: 545 Nm
Top speed: 200 km/h
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 5.6 sec.
WLTP average consumption: 14.1 - 16.2 kWh
Battery capacity: 79 kWh
Range: 553 - 630 km
Max. Charging power: 11 kW AC / 185 kW DC
Unladen weight / payload: 1999 kg / 430 kg
Trunk capacity: 385 - 1267 liters
Towing capacity: n. A.
Price: 46,990 euros