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Earlier this year Cupra stopped taking new orders of the Born electric hatchback in Australia as existing stock dried up.
While Cupra had previously indicated that the higher-performance Born VZ would launch locally either this year or early next, it’s now unclear whether this is still the case.
“Cupra is monitoring the timings and business case for the Born range to return to the market," said a Cupra Australia spokesperson.
"Globally the facelifted Born is being planned. We are currently focused on the dual medium SUV strategy of Terramar ICE and PHEV range, and Tavascan BEV range.”
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It wouldn’t be surprising if the Born never returns to Australia as Cupra’s SUV models, most notably the Formentor, have historically sold better than its lower-slung passenger cars.
While the Born was Cupra’s first EV, it now has the Tavascan which competes in the popular mid-size SUV segment and goes up against top-selling rivals like the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7.
The Cupra Born was first revealed as the el-Born concept in 2019 and then in production form in 2021.
It arrived in Australia as the first Volkswagen Group MEB platform-based electric vehicle (EV) during 2023 as a singular highly specified trim level. It was shortly followed by the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq, then the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, ID.4 and ID.5. The related VW ID.3 hatch never made it to Australia.
The Australian-specification Born features a single, rear-mounted electric motor which produces 170kW of power and 310Nm of torque. This is fed by a 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
As standard the Born was a five-seater, however if you opted for any of the optional performance or interior packages, the seat count would drop to four.
When the Born was first introduced it started at $59,990 before on-road costs, though as part of the run-out offer earlier this year to clear stock it saw the asking price reduced by almost $20,000. It was $47,090 drive-away without any option packs.
In 2024 Cupra globally refreshed the Born line-up and added the hi-po VZ trim. Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 240kW and 545Nm, and is fed by a slightly larger 79kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
It's understood a bigger, mid-life facelift for the Born is due in 2026 which will borrow design cues from the forthcoming Raval small EV.
Cupra is still undergoing a major product revamp here in Australia. It started with the introduction of the Tavascan, then the facelifted version of the Leon, plus the new Terramar mid-size SUV.
The Spanish carmaker still hasn’t launched the facelifted version of the top-selling Formentor yet, however it has been approved for local sale thanks to government approval documents. It's currently set to launch in March 2026.
