Underneath the CUPRA Born’s incredible exterior design sits one of the most advanced electrified powertrains ever used by the brand.
The CUPRA Born delivers its power to the rear wheels, producing a sportier feeling and a more engaging experience. The pure EV’s powertrain integrates a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum torque revs over 16,000rpm above the rear axle that is placed in front of the centre of the wheels. Torque is transferred using a single-speed transmission with a differential, smoothing out delivery to provide effortless performance.
Two CUPRA Born variants are available; 150PS (110kW)/310Nm and 204PS (150kW)/310Nm. But the figures mask a further dynamic delight as CUPRA has pushed the boundaries even further with the development of the Born.
The high-performance pure EV also offers an e-Boost performance pack that takes the CUPRA Born to another level, increasing output to 231PS (170kW)/310Nm, providing a visceral experience like no other. The e-Boost is available with two battery options: a 77kWh battery delivering the 0-100km/h in 7 seconds and with a range of up to 548km, and another with a 58kWh battery reducing the 0 to 50km/h to only 2.6s and the 0-100km/h to just 6.6 seconds and a range of up to 420km. In addition, the e-Boost pack includes larger front brakes and 19” wheels as standard as well as the CUPRA steering wheel with satellites.
The CUPRA Born uses a water-cooled, multi-pouch lithium-ion battery system housed low and centrally in the car to offer the best centre of gravity and reduce the impact of the packs’ weight. Instead, the battery pack delivers increased dynamics and a more balanced feel aiding weight distribution more evenly across the vehicle (50% in the front, 50% in the rear).
Add to this the aluminium structure bolted to the CUPRA Born’s body, and the result is an increased overall rigidity, so when the driving becomes more dynamic, the high-performance pure electric car feels more agile and capable.
“The CUPRA Born’s advanced electric powertrain technology, combined with its chassis set-up, delivers an emotional drive from CUPRA’s first all-electric vehicle proving electrification and performance are a perfect match,” said Dr. Werner Tietz, Executive Vice-President for Research and Development at CUPRA. “It’s a game-changing vehicle – it’s environmentally conscious but at the same time dynamic and exciting.”
Three battery options deliver 45kWh, 58kWh and 77kWh of net capacity respectively, and with a maximum range of up to 548km on a single charge according to the official WLTP test cycle, the CUPRA Born is ready to deliver in the real world.
Achieving the enormous range is aided by the onboard thermal management system – that incorporates water channels connected to the coolant circuit - optimising the battery’s temperature reducing the points where it could either overheat or fall below the ideal temperature.
Recharge times are as crucial as range figures and a barometer of usability, and the CUPRA Born doesn’t disappoint.
In as little as 7 minutes an additional 100km of range can be added using a 135kW charging point, making typical journeys as simple and easy as if using a combustion engine vehicle. And even if the battery pack SoC (State of Charge) is only 5% it can be replenished to 80% in as little as 36 minutes.
The CUPRA Born is adaptable and can be plugged in to both AC (up to 11kW) and DC (up to 135kW) charging networks, so whether you’re on the road or at home, refilling the battery is quick, simple and hassle free.
And through the brand’s charging options customers can have a CUPRA-specific wallbox installed – CUPRA Charger (which is plug & play), CUPRA Charger Connect (offering Wi-Fi connection) or CUPRA Charger Pro (featuring 4G and Wi-Fi) – giving them complete control of how and when they recharge the CUPRA Born’s battery.
In addition, the CUPRA Easy Charging app controls everything related to charging: no matter what recharging infrastructure is available it’s always at your fingertips. In addition, the app will allow to easily find and pay directly in thousands of public stations.
The CUPRA Born is equipped with a Drive Profile, meaning it can adapt to the driver’s needs. It features five different driving modes: Range, Comfort, Performance, Individual and CUPRA mode (only available with the e-Boost). Each mode modifies the engine response, steering, suspension (up to 15 levels).
The Range mode sets the vehicle on a low state of consumption in order to spare energy. This mode provides smoother accelerations that makes it more suitable for low grip driving conditions.
Comfort mode provides a more relaxed and comfortable driving, for example for motorway drives. Its main characteristic is the smooth suspension setting.
Performance mode provides a complete dynamic performance in the vehicle, enabling a sporty driving style.
CUPRA sets the vehicle to offer the maximum performance as well as dynamic behaviour and the best emotional feeling possible.
Finally, the individual mode allows the driver to personalise the configuration to its needs, whether you prefer it smoother or stiffer, the CUPRA Born will allow the driver to have the specific setting of the DCC in this mode (up to 15 levels).