2024 Cupra Born VZ revealed with more performance and poise

Any doubts about the Cupra Born being a bona-fide hot hatch can now be dispelled, because the Volkswagen Group’s Spanish brand has just debuted a significantly more powerful version of the all-electric hatchback packing 240kW of power and 545Nm of torque.

That’s up from 170kW/310Nm in the existing Cupra Born, significantly more than the current Volkswagen Golf GTI (180kW/370Nm) and also eclipses the VW Golf R (235kW/400Nm), although it falls short of the 320kW/600Nm MG4 XPOWER.

Known officially as the 2024 Cupra Born VZ, the new flagship EV retains its familiar single-motor, rear-drive configuration, but scores a reworked chassis set-up to help it manage the extra firepower, which shaves a full second off its claimed 0-100km/h time.

Stopping the clock in a claimed 5.7sec, the Born VZ’s power increase has been paired with a raised 200km/h speed-limiter, meaning it’ll also outrun the standard version as well as out-launch it.

Handling should also prove livelier than in the current Born thanks to new rear springs and dampers, retuned front units and beefier sway bars at both ends, forming what Cupra is calling the DCC Sport suspension pack.

Cupra says the new set-up simultaneously improves ride quality and pairs with a reworked electronic power steering system flaunting “new hardware and software to make it sportier”, plus an uprated braking system.

The good news keeps coming too because stashed between the axles is a bigger new 79kWh battery pack (up from 77kWh) that’s claimed to be good for up to 570km of range (up from 511km) from a single charge and still capable of being charged at up to 170kW when using DC power.

This results in a 10-80 per cent charge time of about 30 minutes, while AC power is capped at 11kW.

The extra performance is reflected by unique 20-inch wheels and wider rubber as standard, plus VZ-exclusive ‘Dark Forest’ and ‘Midnight Black’ exterior paint options.

Inside the cabin you’ll find sportier CUP bucket seats, as seen in the Europe-only Formentor VZ5, except in this application they’re upholstered in upcycled SEAQUAL yarn textile and Dinamica made from recycled polyester.

Other unique touches include a sunroof, three-mode regenerative braking system controlled via paddles behind the steering wheel, a 12.9-inch infotainment interface, Smart Light interior lighting, remote park assist and a 360-degree camera.

Cupra Australia is yet to confirm the Born VZ for this market but has said it’s “looking very closely at” the peppy new variant since it’s the “next iteration” of one of its key models.

Odds are the VZ won’t arrive in Australia until the first half of next year, given it won’t hit European showrooms until the third quarter of 2024.

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