Cupra Australia will lastly carry the 240kW Born VZ electrical scorching hatch early in 2026, although prospects anticipating much less highly effective variants should wait somewhat longer.
Talking with CarExpert, head of product for Cupra Australia – Jeff Shafer – stated the high-performance Born will arrive in the beginning of subsequent yr (regardless of being earmarked for late-2025 as lately as March), whereas lesser variants could arrive with an incoming mid-life facelift.
“We’re within the strategy of planning the remainder of the Born vary past the VZ – even for the VZ we’re nonetheless locking in a few ultimate particulars,” Mr Shafer stated.
“There’s a facelift coming quickly, so we’re trying on the timing when it comes to whether or not it is smart to carry [lower variants] again within the shorter time period, or watch for the [mid-life update].”
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Requested about how the ever-changing EV market has impacted Cupra’s strategy, notably as regards to re-introducing the Born, Mr Shafer stated the Spanish model will give attention to driver enjoyment and worth to face out from growing competitors from the likes of rising Chinese language manufacturers.
“Cupra doesn’t aspire to be all issues to all individuals… so we actually wish to guarantee that we’re bringing vehicles which can be interesting to individuals’s feelings, and are above all enjoyable to drive,” Mr Shafer stated.
“With the Born, we received quite a lot of constructive suggestions on the journey and dealing with, and the way there was a sense of high quality. I feel these elements take the VZ as much as one other stage when it comes to the responsiveness.
“Bringing Tavascan into the market, within the EV area simply ensuring you’ve received a product that doesn’t observe the others [is important].
“[Pricing] is at all times a problem, and we don’t take something without any consideration within the Australian market. It did transfer in a short time, so we’re attempting to ensure we’re bringing a product that has the best positioning, provides worth that prospects can see.
“But additionally, ensuring that the factors of distinction that we imagine we have now in design, journey and dealing with, and calibration of our help programs can be communicated so that folks perceive what they’re getting for his or her cash,” Mr Shafer continued.
“It’s essential that folks really feel like they’ve worth. So we’re not at all times chasing the most affordable worth level, I don’t suppose that’s ever our place, however you undoubtedly need to have a worth that folks can see and respect.”
The Cupra Born VZ encompasses a single rear-mounted electrical motor producing 240kW of energy and 545Nm of torque, will increase of 70kW and 235Nm over the usual 170kW Born that is now offered out in Australia.
Because of this, the Born VZ can dash from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, and attain a high pace of 200km/h. Different modifications underneath the pores and skin of the VZ embrace a barely bigger 79kWh battery pack and a brand new DCC Sport chassis setup that features revised dampers, anti-roll bars and rear springs.
Exterior upgrades are restricted to wider tyres and a selection of two 20-inch alloy wheel designs (globally): both cast or with 3D copper inserts. Two new colors be a part of the palette: Midnight Black and Darkish Forest inexperienced.
Contained in the cabin, the VZ is prepared for the racetrack with bucket seats completed in recycled supplies. The tech has additionally been improved over the bottom automotive, with the fitment of an upsized 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that options Cupra’s newest working system.
The early 2026 launch timing is yet one more delay for the flagship Born, which was initially due in Could 2025, then pushed again to late 2025 as lately as March. This implies when it arrives, it is going to be virtually a yr late.
Little question one motive for the delay is the Spanish model’s native technique of giving every new mannequin “the best time within the solar”, as communicated by Cupra Australia’s former director Ben Wilks earlier this yr.
“It’s essential to actually roll these out responsibly when it comes to timing. Every of those fashions wants the best time within the solar,” Mr Wilks informed CarExpert in March.
“These will not be essentially delays from a manufacturing facility perspective, however somewhat construction and order from our perspective.”
Nevertheless, since Mr Wilks’ feedback launch timings for a number of new fashions have modified once more. The facelifted Formentor and warmer Born VZ electrical hatch had been each initially due on sale right here earlier than the tip of 2025, and now each are coming early subsequent yr.
Keep tuned to CarExpert for all the newest Cupra Born updates
