CARS OF THE WORLD

SEAT Cupra Born 2022.

Seat has officially unveiled the Cupra Born electric hatchback.

Volkswagen has announced the launch of the new SEAT SEAT Cupra Born 2022 electric vehicle. The novelty is based on the electric Volkswagen ID.3 produced since the end of 2019.

Initially, Cupra was a subsidiary of the Spanish brand Seat, which was also involved in the development of «charged» versions of the Seat.

The division appeared in 1985. Later, in 2018, a separate brand was created, under which, according to the idea, more «high-performance» models are produced in comparison with the «regular» Seat.

Now Cupra is preparing for the presentation of its first electric car.

The concept of the future novelty was first presented under the name Seat el-Born: the presentation took place in the spring of 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Last summer, they showed a prototype of a «battery» hatchback and it became known that on the way to the series, the car changed its brand: instead of Seat, the novelty will be produced by Cupra.

Later it became known about the change in the name: instead of el-Born, “just” Born will enter the market.

There is no official data on the «technique» yet, but the company, on the eve of its imminent debut, has declassified the appearance of the future novelty.

The model of the Spanish brand is the «twin» of the first-born of the «green» line of Volkswagen — the five-door hatchback ID.3.

The company shares the silhouette with this car, but the exterior is still not a blueprint: the Born has distinctive elements like its LED head optics, a larger air intake integrated into the lower part of the front bumper, and a visually “pointed” bonnet.

In addition, the future serial electric car Cupra will have rims in the original design, and the stern will be decorated with a luminous strip running across the entire width of the boot lid.

This solution is a reference to the design of the Formentor crossover. The vehicle shown has a matte blue exterior and the brand’s signature brass accents.

Overall, the production Born left a lot behind the el-Born prototype shown in 2020.

The Cupra Born 2022 differs from the ID.3 in the «pointed» shape of the hood, different LED optics with sharper edges, a larger air intake, 20-inch wheels, a diffuser and triangular taillights connected by a horizontal strip of light.

Interior photographs show that copper-colored elements will be used on the center console as well as on the door panels, creating a unique design pattern.

The salon is designed for five riders, there should be about the same amount of space as in the ID.3.

Inside the car, you can see a new trim, seats with more developed lateral bolsters and a sports steering wheel truncated at the bottom.

Cupra’s first electric car will share the MEB modular platform with its closest relative. Now the crossovers Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq are also based on it.

As we reported recently, in the future, it will also form the basis of a pair of new products for the Ford brand (as part of a partnership agreement between German and American manufacturers).

The company has not yet told about whether the new product of the Spanish brand will borrow the «stuffing» of the VW electric hatchback — the only 204-horsepower electric motor located on the rear axle.

It would be logical if the electric car were left with the Seat brand, but more power is expected from the Cupra model.

Note that it probably will not have a twin-engine installation, like the ID.4 GTX (the German crossover has a total output of 299 hp).

Technical data Cupra, apparently, intends to declassify during the official presentation of the «electro-hatch» Born.

Specifications

The electric SEAT Cupra Born 2022 is available with a 110 kW (148 hp) electric motor and 310 Nm of torque, powered by a 45 kWh battery, and a range of up to 340 km on a single charge.

Also, the car will be offered with an electric motor with an output of 148 kW (201 hp) and the same moment 310 Nm, a battery — 58 kW * h, a power reserve of 420 km.

The E-Boost package will be optionally available. With it, the top version develops 170 kW (228 hp).

The package also includes a battery of increased capacity to 77 kW * h, with it the power reserve increases to 540 km. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h is 6.6 seconds.

Prices for the electric SEAT Cupra Born 2022 have yet to be announced. The production of the model will start in September 2021.