The first thing that strikes me is how similar it is to the ID.3. But the Cupra Born has a tougher appearance and seems more luxurious inside. The strange thing is that it does not cost more than the ID.3. Who wants to buy the ID.3 when you can get this for the same price?
A new car brand
Cupra has for several years been a term for trimmed, sporty car models from SEAT. Now Cupra is registered as its own car brand, as a sporty alternative to SEAT. The model selection consists of the electric car Born, the hybrid car Formentor, as well as lowered, sporty versions of existing models such as Ateca and Leon. Cupra Leon is therefore only a sporty version of SEAT Leon. In Norway, only Formentor and Born are sold - and it is undoubtedly Born that has the best chance of success.
According to the VIN number of "our" Cupra, the car is produced at the same place as the ID.3 - at Volkswagen's Zwickau plant in Germany - probably on the same assembly line.
A better place to be
There is no doubt that the compartment in the Cupra is experienced as a better place to be than in the ID.3. Very good fully cast, electrically adjustable sports seats provide a perfect driving position. The car seemed better soundproofed than the ID.3 that we drove almost two years ago. In any case, the interior acoustics are quieter, thanks to more luxurious surfaces. When we drove the ID.3 for the first time, we perceived it to be politically correct - a contrast to all the luxury cars that preyed on the state's tax relief. In comparison, the Cupra looks far more snobbish - but is actually just as politically correct as the ID.3.
Place
In terms of size, the Cupra has the same length and width as the Golf 7, Audi A3 (8V) and SEAT Leon mk3, - only a few cm higher. It to be however, much larger than the aforementioned models. The shape of the bodywork with the forward A-pillars probably contributes to a more bulky feel, but the practical usable space is the same as the aforementioned models. The space in the compartment is good in all directions. The boot holds 385 litres, which is good for the class, but at least designed as a full-fledged family car. Unfortunately, it is not possible to mount either a roof box or a hanger.
The ID.3 and Cupra Born are based on Volkswagen's MEB platform, which is also used by the three-door ID.4, Skoda Enyac and Audi Q4. These are a size class above the Cupra. All models share engines and battery packs, but the Cupra and ID.3 cannot be supplied with 4×4.
e Boost
Cupra can be delivered in more expensive versions with "e-Boost" - a button on the steering wheel that increases the effect so that you can overtake quickly or get out of the intersection first at a green light. The power is then increased from 204 HP to 231 HP. The advantage is that a stronger engine does not draw unnecessary current when you do not need all the power. Still, I wouldn't spend a penny on the boost function. - There is more than enough power in this car.
Does the Cupra really need more power?
After running a few errands with the wife, I took the Cupra out on my own. There had been a real downpour. When the road surface is soaked after a dry period, it can become slippery even when the water is drying up. On the way out of a wide roundabout, I had a wheel slip on the rear wheels. Completely undramatically brought in by ECC, but it felt unfamiliar to drive with rear-wheel drive and could easily provoke a rear-wheel slip. I took Enebakkveien towards Ytre Enebakk and Skiveien towards Ski. On the twisty roads and surfaces the Cupra had more than enough power for me to get the rear wheels to drop by pulling out of the corners. I stand by what I have previously written about the MEB platform - that the weight distribution provides good traction. The Cupra Born is slightly sportier than the other cars on this platform. It felt sharper on the steering and firmer in the chassis than the ID.3 - but far from as firm as the Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2. It is also somewhat lowered compared to the ID.3. If one were to make the Cupra Born more suitable for active, sporty driving, I would prefer 4-wheel drive rather than more power.
Range
I never quite get the hang of the factory range figures. After driving a leisurely 103 km at speeds between 50 and 100 km/h, the batteries had only lost 23%. With the same driving style, I should therefore be able to cover more than 440 km before the batteries were empty. The factory figure, measured according to WLTP combined, is 417 km. My numbers agree well with the measurements I made with the ID.3. It proves that low consumption is just as important as battery capacity. Actual numbers will always vary with weather, wind and speed. On them French websites for the Cupra I found a useful range calculator. It gives the following calculated ranges based on the air conditioner being in use and it being 15 degrees outside. The speeds indicate French speed limits.
100% Motorveikjøring i 130 km/t
324 km
100% Landeveiskjøring i 80 km/t
381 km
100% Bykjøring
440 km
Regenerative braking
The Cupra cannot be driven with the "e-pedal" - that is, both the accelerator and the brake are applied with the same pedal. Electric cars from the Volkswagen group have an alternative, intelligent solution where the car itself figures out how to dose regenerative braking. It checks the condition of the road according to the navigation map and uses data from the car's adaptive cruise control to provide optimal braking. If you let off the gas on a freeway, the car can continue to roll freely at the same speed for quite a long time if the conditions are right for it. But if you let off the gas towards a roundabout, the car will slow down automatically – first a little, then more. This worked fine on my itinerary, but the system depends on the map and terrain matching. If you drive on roads under construction, the system can behave annoyingly unpredictably. Unfortunately, there is a lot of road work and detours in summer Norway.
Order
Cupra is not just a new car brand. It also represents a new sales model for the Volkswagen Group based on online ordering without local dealers. A single showroom has been opened in Harbitzalleen on Skøyen in Oslo where you can view the cars. The purpose is for you to order online directly from the factory. Test drives can either be ordered from the premises at Skøyen or you can have the car delivered to your home for a half-hour test drive. If you live in the vicinity of Oslo, I recommend spending a few hundred Swedish kroner on renting a Cupra Born via Rent. Then you can pick up a fully charged car and drive around for hours - or a whole day or two - not just half an hour. If you have not had an electric car before, this provides a great opportunity to test how an electric car works on a daily basis. You arrange the order and payment yourself on the web - and you get the car delivered to your door free of charge. Service and repairs are carried out at selected Volkswagen workshops. There is only one minus – the delivery time is currently 12 months.
Smiley faces and surfing
: )
Interior "look and feel"
Molded sports seats
Good balance between comfort and sportiness
🙁
The infotainment screen takes some getting used to - a lot of swiping
Neither trailer hitch nor roof load is possible
Conclusion
Cupra is a new car brand that has landed in the middle of a swarm of new, unknown car brands from all over the world. Cupra Born is basically a Volkswagen ID.3 with a higher premium feeling in the cabin, sharper steering and firmer chassis. It is better than the ID.3 in every way – also in terms of price. Although it is necessary to add some extra equipment, you get a lot of driving pleasure and range for the money. It is also interesting that the car can be ordered online in a similar way to Tesla, Polestar and NIO. It seems that the Volkswagen Group has singled out the Cupra as a guinea pig for its new sales concept, although Born is no guinea pig. It is built in Germany - together with the ID.3. And now the factory must have fixed all the commissioning problems?
Facts about the Cupra Born 58 Kwh
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 432 x 181 x 154 cm
Wheelbase: 277 cm
Net weight: 1787 kg (without driver)
Payload: 398 kg
Number of seats: 5
Luggage compartment: 385 liters (no "Frunk")
Hanging not possible
Roof load not possible
Drivetrain
Battery pack: 58 Kwh Li-ion, water-cooled, located under the passenger compartment between the axles
Motor: Electric, located in the rear axle
Power: 204 HP
Torque: 310 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Rear wheel drive
Performances
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100: 6,6 seconds
Range and consumption
WLTP: 417 km (combined)
Calculated from our driving in 20 degrees: 440 km
Stated consumption WLTP combined: 15.7 – 18.0 Kwh/100 km
Measured consumption: –
charging
Contacts: Type 2 and CSS
Stated charging times (0-100%)
… 11 Kw – 6 h 15 min
Stated charging time (0-80%)
… 120 Kw – 35 min
Tires
Dimension: 215/55 R18 95T
Type: Summer
Brand: Bridgestone Turanza
Price
List price: 334
Varnish supplement: 7
Pilot M w/Navi, Adaptive Cruise, Reversing camera etc.: 16 (recommended)
Price "our" car: 394 (without winter tires)
About the car
Place of production: Zwickau, DE
Owner: Rent
Rented via hyre.no
Model: 2022
Mileage: New car
Km driven: 103
Source: cupra.no, cupraofficial.fr og vegvesen.no
See
ID.3 – Politically correct
I imagine that the politicians' purpose in removing the one-off tax and VAT on electric cars was to promote models such as the ID.3. Not too expensive, not too big, but still big enough for many families. See more
