In early July, SEAT announced the el-Born compact EV would no longer be sold under its core brand but under the Cupra performance marque.
Essentially a (slightly) hotter version of the Volkswagen ID.3, the Cupra el-Born is set for a debut in the first half of 2021, which means testing should be in an advanced stage. However, this prototype spotted by our photographers in Spain still features a full body wrap destined to keep the final design safe from prying eyes.
That’s not to say the el-Born’s design is a total mystery since the production model will stick very close to the namesake concept vehicle unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. All SEAT did was replace its badges with Cupra badges on the pre-production prototype unveiled in July 2020.
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The Cupra el-Born will share the MEB platform with the VW ID.3 and will be built alongside it at the Zwickau plant in Germany. Since it will be marketed as a more emotional alternative to the ID.3, the el-Born will come with the more powerful 150 kW (204 PS / 201 HP) electric motor and the top 82 kWh battery (77 kWh net).
This will ensure the Cupra el-Born will sprint from zero to 50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.9 seconds and cover 500 km (310 miles) on a single charge. Besides the design, what will differentiate it from the similarly-equipped VW ID.3 will be the sharper handling and increased agility enabled by the available DCC Sport dynamic chassis setting.
For now, this feature is expected to be exclusive to the el-Born but given the recent dynamics within the VW Group, anything is possible. Naturally, the Cupra EV is likely to have a higher base price than the VW ID.3 given the superior market positioning.
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