FIRST DRIVE: Cupra Born VZ - the ultimate getaway car? | Electrifying

#cuprabornvz #cupra #electriccars
The standard Cupra Born is a fun car. It might be practical and easy to drive, but it still had an element of entertainment in the way it drove that made it more rewarding than rivals. Although it never had daft performance, the 201bhp always felt plenty, and there was always the e-boost button if you wanted a little extra poke for overtaking. And yet it remained refined too, so it was never tiring. Sporty without being rorty if you like.
Now there is the option of even more fun, with an even sportier version. The VZ name is a shortening of the Spanish word ‘veloz’- which translated into English means ‘fast’. So it has a new motor at the rear which produces 320bhp.
To put that into perspective, it’s about the same as a Porsche 911 from a decade ago.
But is that enough to take on cars like the faster, cheaper MG XPower?
That punchy new motor means the Born VZ can do the 0-62mph sprint in 5.7 seconds - one second faster than the e-Boost version. That’s 40% more power than the existing Borns. It also has and 75% more torque. Top speed is also increased by 25mph to 124mph, which is largely irrelevant on an electric car unless you are rushing between chargers on an Autobahn.
The battery pack in the VZ has also been tweaked and they’ve found an extra 2kWh of capacity, taking the total to 79kWh. This gives it an official range of 335-372 miles - exactly the same as the existing V3 77 model.
It can be recharged using an 11kW AC system, which is acceptable but a little disappointing when some rivals can take 22kW. The DC rapid charging maximum of 185kW is more impressive though and a meaningful upgrade on the 130kW of lesser Borns. It means a fast charge from 10 to 80% would just take under half an hour.
Join Tom as he takes the new Cupra Born VZ out on the road for the first time. Has Cupra built a winner? Would you choose this over an ID.3 GTX? Let us know in the comments below.
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[@CarlosFandango1975]

Tom always gets the young ladies commenting😜 keep up the good work Tom

[@vp272]

Nice to see Tom reviewing rather than relegated to the post bag 👍

[@urbanstrencan]

Will need to upgrade from regular Born to VZ looks soo good in green 💚💚💚

[@Luigi_Vaz]

At least it's not 'just another SUV'

[@riaz8783]

Snappy and to the point. Top video Tom.

[@MrMorton]

Wish it would come to USA

[@darkenergy5686]

You and me both.

[@dewarmc]

Great review Tom, however I couldn't help but notice an occasional 'couple of beeps' in the background of your review, I was just wondering if that was your Spanish Police tracker for when you were exercising that Cupra button. :-)

[@keaty1984]

Tom was this the First edition spec? I have one on order but not sure what wheels come with it..

[@ObiePaddles]

Really great review.

[@Clar-K.T]

Top crisp video.

[@peakproofuk]

The second review I’ve seen where the paddles aren’t mentioned! Surely they’re new and quite a big deal - I assume they change regen modes?

[@user-xl7yf7pc7k]

Agree. All review on KZbin have seemed a little rushed. They must have been really stingy with their time allotments…and yes, paddles adjust the three levels of regen

[@peakproofuk]

@@user-xl7yf7pc7k cool. I’m excited for sporty EVs with regen paddles as it seems like the best option for driving enjoyment (better than fake noises and fake gears). Should be like dropping down a gear for engine breaking.

[@chrischild3667]

Yep the etron and Kia niro have them, amongst others, just like dropping down gears. I miss that in my current Born. Will probably buy a 2nd hand VZ when my lease is up.

[@X22GJP]

The paddles are just regen modes, hardly a big deal, and yes, as said are like riding down the gears in a petrol car, except when you do that in a petrol car you lose range, in an electric you gain range.

[@pixatiya]

Excelente!!! 👋🏎️⚡

[@chrischild3667]

Does it have disc brakes at the back? That's the biggest weakness of my Born, it just struggles on the anchors. Could do with beefier regen/rear brakes.

[@PHXRenegade]

Any idea of UK price? I love my ID.3 but I might be tempted to upgrade to this :-)

[@ISuperTed]

£45k plus, I think from memory they’re talking about $47k.

[@PHXRenegade]

@@ISuperTed Hmmmm maybe not then 🙂

[@nev7711]

So it's out of reach for me then!! £47 000.......!😮

[@NatureHarmony_]

I'm thinking about getting an electric car in near future, but I can't make my mind whether I should go for Volvo EX30 or Cupra Born. Why is noone comparing them? Their size and features are comparable... Does anyone have an opinion?

[@Pottery4Life]

Thank you.

[@Petroelhead]

i like that thing. And now. Make it avaliable with a trailer hook and i am happy 😀(Or even better: A Sedan version with a trailerhook) Can we have that? please? yes?

[@DanielR.122]

It was a funny video because of the criminal references :D

[@WagnerGimenes]

Love it.

[@ianrob4760]

so as a MG4 trophy owner of a company car the Born was my second choice but came down to cost. And again this would be the case between the power and this. However this is bringing EV cars into an arena that many would be astonished about.

[@tonybarton3746]

Don’t get arrested for your pork pies 😂😂 ps nice car

[@kevinwalton4538]

Spanish prison?.? Don’t be a Queen!

[@PaulMeier-cu3ds]

Thank you for staying out of jail. I am sure this car is quick enough and the rear wheel drive makes it sporty, and also that Porsche 911s were recently no better. However to me it just looks like a souped up VW with VW’s ghastly infotainment and poor software. There are so many other choices which exceed the price performance that this car looks like a bit of a dud, a sort of family friendly dud.

[@alistairl]

I've had my ID.3 just over a year now and ordered it before the Born was available. If the steering and grip in the Born are better then I'm really interested in the Born VZ - I prefer the arm rest setup in the Born I've sat in and although the power is fine in the ID.3, a little more would be fun. The ID.3 just doesn't quite have the front end feel (though sport mode is better) to really have confidence. I'm 6'4" and the ID.3 / Born sizing is great (A pillar notwithstanding) and the VZ is more exciting than the GTX Performance (those seats!). And assuming the VZ only has the larger battery, not having home charging would be even less of an impediment (although I manage fine with the 58kWh in my ID.3). Finally watching this video after the Tavascan shows the contrast in your (Tom's) reaction to the Born vs the Tavascan. Thanks for the review!!

[@markymarkreviews]

Looks very promising. RWD, hatchback.

[@anthonystevens8683]

A top video Tom. You didn't get arrested (yet) so we didn't have to send in the SAS or whatever to get you out of a little issue, which was nice. I love the style of the Born but as yet my circumstances do not work for an EV, no possibility of home charging but I do appreciate the EV market for those that do. The new VZ looks like a right hoot on the lanes. Overtaking the plethora of beige clad beings that inhabit fast cars but drive err... with more than a modicum of 'not too fast dear', 30 in a 60 is just fine to take in the scenery etc is great. Along with those mobile rooms that head traffic queues in groups during the 'summer months'. If I had home charging I could be very tempted for any of the Cupra Born models but this looks like the most usable fun by far. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevesmith2529]

I've loved driving my Born for the last 2 years, sadly let down by the really poor infotainment system. It still has the fresh looks of a stylish car and better on the eye than a lot of the drivel out there. The Green is gorgeous BTW. Not sure how many people will need the extra HP. Mine has loads of zip as it is, the extra HP will make it crazy quick. Nice review!

[@X22GJP]

This has the larger screen with better touch controls and upgraded ICE software.

[@nthhawke]

Out of interest...... 2 or 3 seats in the back? Is the boot space impacted at all by the increased rear engine?

[@Electrifyingcom]

Three seats in the back - a first for the Born with a big battery I think. Boot is the same size.

[@Yanquetino]

NICE EV…! Wish we could get it on this side of the pond! Was that your phone "ding-dinging," Tom? Or the car?

[@Rusties844]

I believe it was the ISA (intelligent speed assistant) letting him know he had gone over the speed limit , mandatory now in all new cars from July 6th 2024 annoying yes but can be turned of in the settings menu , but turns back on again once it’s turned off🙄

[@mikebauder7615]

I have just ordered one, i hope to get I late August jubiiii

[@Rusties844]

Do you live in the UK? Thanks carnt find out when they are coming too the UK

[@mikebauder7615]

@@Rusties844 hey, no Copenhagen 🇩🇰

[@davidshimwell3660]

@@Rusties844Been on sale in the UK since early July, first deliveries arriving early September

[@Rusties844]

@@davidshimwell3660 thanks

[@Rusties844]

When will it be available in the UK?

[@mikeburgess8801]

Love that green colour!

[@crm114.]

Nice overview. Unfortunately, you can be sure the VZ version will have some silly price on it's UK release

[@nextlp]

It'll be silly in Germany as well. Peoples guesses are 52.000€.. Surely already with some good bits as standard..but nonetheless steep

[@X22GJP]

With the exception of the MGs, most electric cars are silly prices in the U.K. and make for stupid private buys. As a company car with all running costs except the electricity included, it’s cheap.

[@markbennett6658]

A very smooth review of a very polished car. Well done Tom👍 That green with the copper (Cupra) inserts looks killer and although I don’t love the ID3 basic shape this knocks that car into a cocked hat. The power definitely sounds like it’s adequate’ too!

[@attilazk]

The intro was awesome (too), just like the outro. Cheers. I wish you to have such a great car. :D

[@rgen28]

Oh those wheels looks cool

[@X22GJP]

I think I prefer the narrower standard wheels (U.K. spec at least) that match the triangular accents and copper on the car. Maybe not quite as grippy, but less rolling resistance, and better in non-dry conditions.

[@anthonyworley2891]

Nice. This is how it should have been from the start and it shows on Tom’s face. I think he really did enjoy it. Price as always will be the key to unlocking the Cupar brand to real success.

[@danielhockin6705]

The car it always should have been. If they have fixed the connectivity here in OZ then all it’s missing for me is V2x

[@bertchalmers]

STOP SPEEDING!!!😂 I can hear the bongs!!

[@stephenodonohue9876]

Gee Tom, the girls best be careful or you'll take one of their jobs. Fun review.

[@ISuperTed]

Sorry Tom I’ve shopped you to the law, expect a knock on the door shortly 😂

[@narvuntien]

This is what Cupra really needed to make its name, also yay flappy paddles.

[@berny_electric_22]

Sadly you can't get Matrix-LED on the Born.

[@misterhoeflak]

Beautiful, and agree the green is super sexy

[@nannyoggsally]

I think it looks 🔥🔥🔥

[@gordoneschke2433]

Probably 50k 😂

[@minniesaab7255]

👍👍👍

[@DavidChong]

as I understand it these are just the vw id.3 platform, but if nothing else it at least has better styling

[@teunlll]

Better build quality and more hp.

[@johnmccarthy115]

A Barnards bargain this won't be 😜🤭 Tom In the video you mentioned the battery is 79kw & charging is 185kwh, are those official figures as they're not on the Cupra site. I only looked as I'm deep in the weeds with the Kia EV3 & the 10-80 piqued my curiosity, the long range EV3 is similar battery size but with 128kwh charging, 10%-80% is a similar time of around 30mins, are Kia using witchcraft 🤷‍♀️😬😁

[@al8565nz]

185kWh will be peak power, which isn't very helpful as may only last a few minutes.

[@johnmccarthy115]

@@al8565nz Very true & definitely not helpful, bit like WLTP figures lol

[@computerbob06]

Any info about the car or just about how it drives? Is it still a 4 seat only car due to the big battery? Drive mode buttons on the steering wheel. Are they proper buttons or haptic rubbish? I notice they still have that touch pad thing for various settings on the left of the wheel, will it still be in the wrong place on the right hand drive version? My 2020 E-Niro isn't the best car around or the fastest, but it cost me less than £17k and still will reportedly do the 60 in under 7 seconds, drives nicely and has a big boot/trunk due to its front wheel drive. Also, because of this and it's great motor, it has fantastic regen and is very efficient! Does the Born still have a 3 yr warranty? If so, that's crap! I was a Golf driver and a VW lover but they let me down with the emission scandal, quality issues and the release of the unfinished and imperfect ID3 and associates, so I had to go somewhere else!

[@Erikkrols]

I try to figure out why people need 300,400,600 PS. I am very fine with 230 PS for daily use and save on insurance premium.

[@miguelmarques7331]

How much battery cost ⁉️ Do not buy !!