The standard CUPRA Born is an enjoyable car to drive. It’s practical and easy to handle, but it also offers a fun driving experience that stands out from its competitors. The 201bhp power was always sufficient, and the e-boost button provided an extra kick for overtaking when needed.

Now, there's an even sportier version available. The VZ, derived from the Spanish word 'veloz' meaning 'fast,' features a new rear motor producing 320bhp, but is that enough to compete with the likes of the MG X Power? Let’s look into the specs and see how it stacks up.

Performance

The new CUPRA Born VZ has taken a significant leap from its predecessor, the Born e-Boost. Previously maxing out at 170kW, the VZ now boasts a powerful 240kW, translating to an impressive 320hp, a 40% increase. This is complemented by 545Nm of torque, a 75% jump from the previous 310Nm. To handle this enhanced performance, CUPRA’s engineers have fine-tuned the suspension geometry, steering, and brakes to align with the VZ’s sportier profile. The result? This electric hot hatch sprints from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, a full second faster than the already speedy e-Boost.

Despite its upgraded suspension, the VZ maintains remarkable comfort on rough roads. The redesigned damper valve settings, springs, and anti-roll bars enhance body control. Additionally, improvements to the braking system, including a stronger rear brake setup, provide better brake-pedal feel, making the VZ not only faster but also more refined.

The CUPRA Born VZ also features regenerative paddle shifters on the steering wheel, offering three levels of energy recuperation. Releasing the accelerator allows the motor to act as a generator, feeding energy back into the battery and reducing wear and tear on the brakes.

Range and Charging

The added power doesn't impact the range negatively. The CUPRA Born VZ comes with an upgraded and slightly larger battery pack, now 79kWh net (a 2kWh increase), resulting in an impressive official maximum range of 592km. This is actually more than the 552km range of the e-Boost with its 77kWh battery pack.

Similar to other models, the VZ can be charged up to 11kW AC Wallbox or at a public fast-charging point with a maximum of 170kW DC. This allows the battery to go from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Design and Interior

Styling tweaks for the Cupra Born VZ include 20-inch alloy wheels that are half an inch wider than those on other Born models, along with distinctive VZ badging and copper detailing. You can also choose from two new paint colours: Midnight Black and the exclusive Dark Forest.

Inside, you'll find standard 'Cup' bucket seats borrowed from the Formentor VZ5 and CUPRA Leon VZ Cup. These seats are mounted lower for a sportier driving position and are made from up-cycled Seaqual yarn textile and Dinamica, with 73% recycled polyester content. The Born VZ is also available as a five-seater, unlike some models that are four-seaters only, and there's an option for a panoramic sunroof. The boot capacity remains at 385 liters, but you'll need to secure fragile items as they might get tossed around during spirited drives.

The tech upgrades are impressive too. The Born VZ features a new, larger 12.9-inch floating infotainment system, which is 0.9 inches bigger than the current CUPRA Born’s. This system combines touchscreen inputs with a new illuminated touch bar for adjusting interior climate and volume. Additionally, it boasts a 425-watt, ten-speaker sound system with Sennheiser's Ambeo Concerto control software.

Cost Considerations

Irish pricing for the VZ starts from €62,170, which is about €20,000 more than the e-Boost model. Some additional add-ons with an extra price will include the panoramic sunroof, that nice dark forest colour, a heat pump, a couple options for different alloys, and the Protect Pack that gives you pre-crash assist and some other safety features.

Though we are really impressed with the VZ, if you’re exploring other options for a powerful hatchback the MG4 XPower will start from €41,995, if you want to compare the two you can find out more here.

Conclusion

We really enjoyed the CUPRA Born VZ. It looks fantastic, is fun to drive around corners, and has plenty of power to satisfy most drivers. Despite its sporty nature, it remains a practical choice with its five-door, five-seat configuration and a suspension that strikes a nice balance between sportiness and comfort.