Cupra has confirmed the technical specifications of its new electric range-topper. The Born VZ is mooted to be a proper high-performance derivative of the electric five-door hatchback.
More power, more range
Previously packing a maximum of 170kW (231hp) as the Born e-Boost, the new Cupra Born VZ has a maximum output of 240kW, which translates into a robust 326hp (an increase of 40 per cent over the e-Boost). That's backed up by 545Nm of torque, also significantly increased (by 75 per cent) from the other models' 310Nm peak. To help it cope with these new figures, Cupra's engineers have tuned the suspension geometry, the steering and the brakes to match the VZ's sportier remit.
The end result is that this electric hot hatch will run 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, fully one second quicker than the already-fairly-rapid e-Boost. The top speed limiter has also been raised on the model, although that's not strictly relevant in any country other than Germany.
To expand on the chassis tuning, Cupra fits the Born VZ with DCC Sport suspension. This incorporates entirely new springs and dampers on the rear axle of the model, which go with revised damping rates and spring design at the front, plus uprated anti-roll bars. This is designed to give the car better body control.
Cupra also says that 'dynamic improvements to the vehicle's braking technology' - including a stronger rear brake set-up - gives the car greater brake-pedal feel.
The added power doesn't hurt the range, though. An improved and slightly enlarged battery pack - now 79kWh net, a gain of 2kWh - results in an official maximum one-shot driving range of 570km. That's actually more than the e-Boost with the 77kWh battery pack can manage (552km).
Like other Borns, the VZ can be recharged at home using an 11kW AC wallbox, or at a maximum of 170kW DC at a public fast-charging point, which will see the battery go from 10-80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
Sportier looks inside and out
Styling tweaks include 20-inch alloy wheels, which - at eight inches wide - are half-an-inch wider than those on the other Born models, plus specific VZ badging and copper detailing. There are also two new paints to choose from, which are Midnight Black and the exclusive-to-the-VZ Dark Forest.
Inside the car, standard 'Cup' bucket seats are borrowed from the Formentor VZ5 and Cupra Leon VZ Cup, and they're mounted lower to give a sportier driving position. They're also made from upcycled Seaqual yarn textile and Dinamica with a 73 per cent recycled polyester content.
The Born VZ is also available as a five-seater, whereas some models are four-seaters only, and there's the option of a panoramic sunroof up top, too.
Infotainment and sound improved
The Cupra Born VZ moves digitalisation forward. It benefits from a new and larger floating 12.9-inch infotainment system (+0.9-inch vs the current Cupra Born), mixing the benefits of touchscreen inputs with a new illuminated touch bar to adjust interior climate and volume.
The hot Cupra also features the Smart Light interior tech, which is a way of the vehicle communicating various functions to its driver through illumination patterns.
There's also a 425-watt, ten-speaker sound system featuring Sennheiser's Ambeo Concerto control software.
Cupra has enhanced the equipment in the Born VZ's advanced driver assist safety functions, which should make the car easier to drive in a wide variety of scenarios.
The new Cupra Born VZ should be available from the third quarter of this year, with Irish prices and specifications yet to be announced.