► VZ is Cupra-speak for GTI
► Power is up to 322bhp
► 40% more than the e-Boost, but not XPower levels
Cupra has unleashed a hotter version of its electric Born hatch, and it’s essentially the ID.3 GTI before Volkswagen makes it. Called the Born VZ,(VZ comes from the word Veloz in Spanish meaning speed) it has more power, an improved chassis, interior and suspension to match.
The headline figures come from the powertrain: power is now up to 322bhp, 40% over the next best e-Boost variant. Elsewhere, torque is up 75% over the next best Born to 402lb ft. Of course, the elephant is the room is the MG 4 XPower which still overshadows the best from the Volkswagen group; MG’s beast tips the scales at 429bhp and 443lb ft – and it hits 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds instead of the Born VZ’s 5.7. Perhaps there’s another, even hotter Cupra is the works to compete.
Anything else?
Cupra has made some interior and exterior tweaks to single out the new Born from its milder siblings: the Born VZ gets a new stiffer DDC Sports suspension, more direct steering and better braking-feel.
To account for the extra power, Cupra has upped the battery capacity 2kWh to 79 kWh, with range now at 335-miles. Range of alloy wheels are available, and bucket seats come as standard now.
Inside, the touchscreen has also grown to 12.9-inches, while Cupra will ship the Born VZ with a new 425-watt sound system from Sennheiser.
Pricing for the new Born VZ will be revealed in the third quarter of 2024, with UK prices and specs revealed at summer.