New electric Cupra Born VZ turns up the heat with 322 bhp  

A rear-wheel drive hot hatch with more power than a BMW M135i? That’ll be Cupra’s fiery new Born VZ. But what lies behind this Spaniard’s striking stats?

Remember the efficient electric runabout we used to put Continental’s EcoContact 6 through its paces? Well, it’s been putting in some serious hours at the gym, and the results speak for themselves.  

Exploding to 60 mph from rest takes just 5.7 seconds, while torque is pegged at a brutal 402lb ft, and power is up a vast 40% compared to the hottest ‘regular’ Cupra Born, the E-Boost. Those are some attention-grabbing numbers, but we’re just as interested in the whole package. Can Cupra’s VZ (a Spanish acronym for fast), be the first EV to lure petrolhead punters away from the ICE staples? 

We think so. The feisty little Born not only looks like it wants to trade blows with VW’s Golf R/GTI and Mercedes’ AMG A35, thanks to the dynamic 20-inch wheels and 3D copper inserts, but the chassis has been commensurately reworked too.

Of these changes, the new shocks, springs, and improved anti-roll bars ally to create what Cupra calls, DCC Sport suspension. In the real world, this should offer improved composure and responsiveness, hopefully offsetting the weight penalty many hot EVs battle. Oh, and it isn’t lacking for stopping power either. Cupra asserts: ‘Dynamic improvements to the vehicle’s braking technology gives the VZ a stiffer, more robust brake feel.’ 

What’s more, driver engagement and performance don’t seem to have comprised the standard car’s stellar efficiency. Range is a generous 335 miles, delivered by a slightly bigger battery, and fast charging allows for a 10-80% recharge in just 30 minutes. Impressive.  

It appears Cupra’s first crack at a battery-powered hot hatch ticks all the right boxes, but we think its success depends on a different sort of charge: its price. How much do you think the Born VZ will cost when it lands in Autumn?

Hero image credit: CUPRA