When it arrives in Australia in March 2023, the first mass-market electric car from the Volkswagen Group will cost less than $60,000 before on-road charges.
The base MSRP for a Cupra Born will be $59,990 before on-road expenditures, which comes to about $63,000 after incentives (but before fees).
Compared to the best-selling Tesla Model 3 sedan ($65,500 before on-roads), the Nissan Leaf e+ ($61,490 before on-roads), the Hyundai Kona Electric Extended Range ($60,500 before on-roads), and the Kia Niro Electric S ($65,300), it is priced similarly.
Pre-orders are not currently available, but they will be available before Christmas for a total of $1,000, $750 of which is a refundable deposit and $250 of which is a non-refundable reservation fee.
The Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback, available in Europe now and coming to Australia after a facelift in 2024, shares its MEB platform with the Born.
The Born and ID.3 are just the beginning of the Volkswagen Group Australia rollout, which will include everything from Kombi-inspired SUVs to the ID.4 and ID.5 (late 2023) and the Volkswagen ID.6 (likely 2024) electric hatchbacks (2024).
Cupra Australia brand director Ben Wilks told autohexa that supply is expected to be high, but there may be more buyers than sellers.
Mr. Wilks noted that “we’re competing with all world markets” and “markets that still have even more advanced legislation about electrification, and in favour of electrification or unfavourable towards petrol vehicles.”
We can’t change the number of vehicles we order, and based on current trends, he predicted that demand will be higher than expected. “We just need to handle that delicately for each of our clients, and communicate our order bank really clearly to the manufacturer so they can see just how much of an impact we’re having here in Australia,” the CEO said.
Cupra’s global head Wayne Griffiths told Australian media earlier in 2022, “The supply for the expected demand is secured, and our planned demand is fairly ambitious.”
Cupra Born Price
The CUPRA Born will go into production in September, and the price and release date will be revealed then. On the other hand, in Germany, it is predicted to cost at least €45,000. (roughly Rs. 40.12 lakh).
- 2023 Cupra Born: $59,990 before on-road costs
- ACT: $61,990 drive-away
- NSW: $62,490 drive-away
- QLD: $63,490 drive-away
- VIC: $64,990 drive-away
- SA: $64,490 drive-away
- WA: $66,490 drive-away
Cupra Born Colours
- Glacial White
- Geyser Silver
- Quasar Grey
- Rayleigh Red
- Vapor Grey
Drivetrain
For the Australian market, the only option is the e-Boost, which has a 77kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery pack, and a rear-mounted electric motor (rear-wheel drive) producing 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque.
Even while smaller battery packs are available in other countries, they won’t be making the trip to Australia in time for the official launch.
They say it takes you 7 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h.
Efficiency
On the WLTP test, the 77kWh lithium-ion battery provides a stated 511km of range, but with the Performance Pack installed (and its larger, stickier tyres), that number lowers to 475km.
The maximum power input from an AC charger is 11 kW, and the maximum power input from a DC fast charger is 170 kW.
Dimensions
When both rows of seats are in use, the trunk supposedly has a capacity of 385 litres.
The Born is a total of 4322 millimetres in length, 1809 millimetres in width, 1540 millimetres in height, and has a wheelbase of 2766 millimetres.
It uses McPherson struts up front and multi-links in the back, with the more sporty suspension setup that is an option elsewhere in the world coming standard on all Australian models.
Safety
Euro NCAP gave the Born a perfect score of five stars in 2022 for safety.
Although the five-star ANCAP rating should be maintained, it has not yet been converted.
Protection for adults was rated at 93%, protection for children at 89%, protection for vulnerable road users at 73%, and safety assistance at 80%.
Standard equipment includes:
- Seven airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- Parking assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Driver attention monitoring
- Rain-sensing wipers
Standard Equipment
Exterior
- 19-inch black and copper Typhoon alloy wheels
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
- LED headlights, tail lights, fog lights
- Automatic headlights with auto high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Tinted rear windows
- Rear roof spoiler
Interior
- 5.3-inch digital instrument binnacle
- 12-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wired)
- Wireless phone charging
- DAB+ digital radio
- 4 x USB ports
- Surround-view camera
- Leather, heated steering wheel
- Front bucket seats
- Floor mats
- Keyless entry and start
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Dual-zone climate control
- Aluminium pedals
Chassis
- Sports suspension
- Driving profile selection
- Progressive (variable-ratio) steering
A pair of options packages are offered, starting with the Interior Package ($2900). It brings:
- Aurora Blue, suede-trimmed, front bucket seats
- Heated front seats
- 12-way power adjustable front seats with massaging
- Two-seat rear bench (three-seat bench standard)
- Heated washing jets
- Beats premium sound system (nine-speaker, 395W)
The Performance Package ($2600) brings:
- 20-inch firestorm alloy wheels in black and silver
- 235mm Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres (wide tyre package)
- Two-seat rear bench (three-seat bench standard)
- Adaptive damping