The next production model from Cupra – Seat’s now-separate performance brand – will be a sporting version of the El-Born electric hatchback.
Revealed today ahead of a full launch in 2021, the Cupra El-Born is said to bring “sustainable mobility with a unique character and dynamism” and will be the first performance-oriented version of the modular MEB electric platform in the Volkswagen Group’s range. Cupra has been chosen to launch the El-Born instead of Seat, as was originally intended.
When asked if the El-Born will ever hit the market branded as a Seat, Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths said: "We are launching the El-born as the first fully electric model under the Cupra brand. I believe this is the right decision, the El-Born has all the genes of the Cupra brand… I think any good news for Cupra is good news for Seat."
Since the 2019 El-Born concept was unveiled Cupra's design team have given it a new, brand-specific look, largely centring around a more aggressive front-end redesign and bespoke interior details.
Only a scant amount of technical detail for the Cupra El-Born has been released. The EV will be powered by a 77kWh (82kWh gross) battery pack that sends power through a rear-mounted electric motor of undisclosed output.
Cupra promises a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge, with rapid charging making it capable of receiving 161 miles' worth of charge in 30 minutes. That’s significantly more than the El-Born was expected to launch with in Seat form; the Seat El-Born concept features a 62kWh battery for a range of 261 miles.
Although no 0-62mph time has been released, Cupra is quoting a 0-31mph time of 2.9sec. For reference, the Seat concept promised a 0-62mph time of 7.5sec from a 201bhp electric motor.
The El-Born will bring features that first appeared on its Volkswagen ID 3 sibling, including an augmented reality head-up display, while Cupra-specific detailing includes sports bucket seats and a racier steering wheel design with driving mode buttons.
The El-Born will be manufactured alongside the ID 3 at the Volkswagen Group’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. It will join the upcoming Formentor in the Cupra line-up in 2021, alongside the existing Leon and Ateca - two cars that have racked up a combined 40,000 sales in the two years since Cupra split from its Seat parent brand.
Griffiths has also confirmed a specific Cupra dealer network will be set up over the coming months and years across Europe, offering a bespoke sales and aftersales experience that he believes is key to the brand's success.
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Not convinced
I continue to be unconvinced by the Cupra 'brand/sub-brand'. Isn't it just trying to do what Seat was meant to do? The Tesla-esque badge is a bit tragic too. Nice copper detailing though!
Yeah but what's its 0-46 time
Yeah but what's its 0-46 time?
Nice job
I prefer this interior to the ID3's interior, which I think looks too cheap. Of course it's largely otherwise a rebadged ID3 but it's still a case of more choice for consumers. I actually think the straight ahead front profile is very reminiscent of the Corolla, especially the lower grille and shape of the headlights and grille treatment.