Power up! 2025 Cupra Born VZ revealed as faster electric car, but is it hot enough to rival the Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2?

Cupra’s first fully electric model now has a proper performance version, with the Cupra Born VZ revealed overnight as a faster version of what the brand billed a “rear-wheel-drive hot hatchback BEV'' upon its launch in Australia.

The 2025 Cupra Born VZ is set to launch in the UK by the third quarter of 2024, and could join the single Born variant on sale currently in Australia.

While the standard Born and its 170kW and 310Nm allow a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 7.0 seconds, the new VZ boasts 240kW of power and 545Nm, cumulating in a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.

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Chassis upgrades to improve handling includes new ‘DCC Sport suspension’, new dampers and springs, plus the steering and brakes have been tweaked for “more robust” feeling, as well as a stronger rear brake.

A tweaked battery pack now has a 79kWh capacity, 2kWh more than before, for a 570km claimed driving range. The Born available in Australia has a claimed 511km range.

At a DC 170kW fast-charging point, Cupra claims the Born VZ should charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in around half an hour.

Design changes outside include 20-inch wheels that are also half an inch wider, wrapped in 8.0-inch wide tyres to suit.

Design changes outside include 20-inch wheels that are also half an inch wider, wrapped in 8.0-inch wide tyres to suit, plus badging and a choice of VZ-exclusive Dark Forest or Midnight Black colours.

Inside, cup bucket seats are also exclusive to the VZ, as are the steering wheel paddles to adjust regenerative braking strength.

A larger 12.9-inch multimedia screen, (over the 12.0-inch currently available) as well as a 10-speaker audio sound system and standard ‘Smart Light technology’ that incorporate dynamic full-LEDs wrapped around the dashboard to relay information and provide visual cues for events like charging, driver assist systems and locking and unlocking are also included.

Inside, cup bucket seats are also exclusive to the VZ.

Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Cupra UK, said the VZ will show that “electrification and performance are a perfect match”.

“The Cupra Born was a milestone for the brand when we launched the model in 2021 as our first 100 per cent electric vehicle," he said.

“And it’s delivered exceptionally, with 45,300 units sold last year, an increase of 44.4 per cent  compared to the year before.”

If it comes to Australia, expect the Born VZ to land north of the $59,990 before on-roads set for the standard variant of the electric car.