Cheaper Cupra Born expected in 2024

New Volkswagen Group performance brand Cupra is preparing a sustained electric vehicle (EV) assault on Australia, beginning with a less-expensive addition to the coming Born EV range.

Due out in March or April and priced from $59,990 before on-road costs for the initial big-battery 77kWh model, the five-door Born hatchback is expected to be joined by a more-affordable 58kWh model sometime in 2024.

Speaking to CarsGuide at the Born pre-launch track drive in Victoria, Cupra Australia head of product and planning, Jeff Shafer, revealed that this is just the beginning of what will be a wholesale switch to full EVs by the end of this decade for the Spanish brand.

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"The 58kW battery version of the Born is of interest for Australia," he said. "Not right now, so we don't have a timeframe… but it is something we are looking at."

Named after a landmark Barcelona suburb, the Born is based on the Volkswagen ID.3, and employs the VW Group's MEB electric architecture. Like its 77kWh big brother, the 58kWh version uses a rear-axle electric motor to drive the rear wheels, and is offered in two power outputs: 150kW and 170kW, with the latter known as the e-Boost. All batteries are lithium-ion.

The big difference is the medium-sized battery, that offers a WLTP range of about 420km (European spec) instead of the 77kWh's 511km range, though it's worth keeping in mind that the latter figure is for the Australian-market version. In Europe, that range jumps to 540km, meaning the net range loss going with the smaller battery is around 120km.

Named after a landmark Barcelona suburb, the Born is based on the Volkswagen ID.3.

Despite having a smaller battery and up to 20kW less power depending on spec, both of the 58kWh Born grades still offer an identical 310Nm of torque as the 77kWh flagship – and that plays in its favour.

In fact, since the 58kWh battery models weigh as little as 1824kg instead of 1946kg in European-spec guises, the 58kWh/170kW e-Boost Born is the speediest of the lot, needing 6.7 seconds, some 0.3s less than the 77kWh equivalent, to reach 100km/h from standstill.

Speaking of speed, another advantage is the mid-sized battery pack's naturally quicker charging times; using a common 50kW DC fast charger, it should only take around 50 minutes, compared to about 70 minutes for the big-battery Born.

One of the few visual giveaways would be the 18-inch alloy wheels, compared to the 19-inch 'Cyclone' items that are standard on Australian-spec 77kWh models.

Mr Shafer said it was too early to consider the 45kWh Born, adding that Australians generally prefer to pay a bit more for greater range in their EVs.

Elsewhere, there is an even cheaper Born with a 45kWh battery and 110kW of power, bringing a WLTP range of about 350km.

However, Mr Shafer said it was too early to consider the 45kWh Born, adding that Australians generally prefer to pay a bit more for greater range in their EVs.

Watch this space.