Cupra Born 2023 review – engine, gearbox and technical highlights
Cupra has used Volkswagen’s EV tool kit to create the Born, which shares its core structure with the ID.3
Under the skin lies Volkswagen’s familiar MEB platform. The battery pack is positioned under the floor and there’s an electric motor mounted within the rear axle, making the Born rear-wheel drive. Three powertrain options are offered; the entry-level model is powered by a 58kWh battery and generates 201bhp, achieving 264 miles from a charge.
The 228bhp version brings a performance uplift courtesy of an e-Boost function under full throttle, with range taking a slight four-mile hit. Finally, there’s another 228bhp model with a larger – and heavier – 77kWh battery, which extends the range to 341 miles. All models, regardless of power or battery size, produce a maximum torque of 229lb ft.
Compared to a conventional hatchback, the Born’s technical make-up is theoretically much better optimised for dynamics. Weight distribution is even across both axles and the floor-mounted battery pack places the bulk of its mass low down. The kicker, though, is that the electric drivetrain is rather heavy. The lightest Born comes in at 1818kg, with the top spec model weighing a faintly ridiculous 1950kg.
