Hot 240kW Cupra Born VZ coming in 2026

After a supply-inflicted hiatus, the Cupra Born will return in 2026 armed with a few critical changes.

Having previously been offered as a 170kW/310Nm sports-themed eco-commuter with surprisingly long legs (up to 511km range), the Born has morphed into a 240kW/545Nm rear-drive electric hot hatch sustained by an enlarged 79kWh battery.

The extra oomph doesn’t come with the addition of another heavy e-motor either, and with adaptive dampers and an even sportier suspension tune than before, the 2026 Cupra Born VZ will be laser-focused on thrill-seekers after a smaller carbon footprint.

It’ll look and feel the part, too. An Australian-spec example shown at the recent launch of the Cupra Terramar was equipped with 20-inch ‘Tornado’ wheels and microfiber upholstery, both of which will be standard equipment.

Price? It’s too early for Cupra to say, but the 170kW Born started at $59,990 plus on-road costs.

We don’t expect the VZ to get close to that number, but watch this space – plenty of EV products have moved south in price as demand softens, and Cupra may need to move with the market to stay competitive.

But what of cheaper, less performance-focused variants? In the UK, the Born is offered with the 170kW motor and two battery options (59kWh, 79kWh), delivering maximum ranges of up to 425km and 557km on the WLTP cycle.

Cupra Australia is putting those powertrain options on the ‘maybe’ pile for now, as the business case for cheaper Born models is a little harder to secure than the more expensive, higher-margin VZ.

According to Cupra Australia product boss Jeff Shafer, the imminent arrival of a facelifted model may also delay sub-VZ variants from coming here, given the facelift is expected to roll out within the next year.

“We are surveying the remaining Born range for opportunities around the current model, forthcoming facelift and potential for additional battery capacities,” he said.

With the Spanish brand eager to craft a reputation for itself as the brand for performance-minded buyers in the mainstream segment, it’s entirely possible the company’s local product planners simply no longer see sub-VZ-spec Borns as hot enough for its carefully curated brand image in this country.

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