Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automakers
July 08, 2020 10:31 AM

VW Group's first hot compact EV to be launched by Cupra brand

Andrea Malan
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    Cupra designers have given the el-Born a more aggressive front-end redesign compared with the 2019 Seat concept.

    Volkswagen Group's Seat unit will launch the production version of the el-Born electric hatchback under its standalone Cupra brand.

    The Cupra el-Born will be the first performance-oriented car based on VW Group's modular MEB electric platform when it goes on sale in Europe next year.

    The el-Born was unveiled as a Seat concept at the 2019 Geneva auto show.

    Cupra has been chosen to launch the el-Born instead of Seat because the EV fits perfectly with Cupra's performance orientation and customer profile, Seat said.

    Cupra CEO Wayne Griffiths said making the el-Born a Cupra performance model allowed the brand to differentiate it from VW Group's other MEB-based compact electric hatchbacks.

    These include the VW ID3, which will go on sale in Europe in September, and the Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback, both due next year. Skoda's version, called the Enyaq, will arrive by the end of the year.

    "Seat and Cupra are essential for the development of the company. Each one has its clear role, its own personality and attributes and addresses different customer profiles," Griffiths said on Wednesday during a virtual press conference.

    Engineers have developed a new dynamic chassis control system for the el-Born, Seat said. It adapts automatically to any conditions and offers a superior level of driving dynamics, the brand said. The Cupra el-Born can accelerate from 0 to 50 kph (31 mph) in 2.9 seconds.

    The model has a 500 km (320 miles) range, thanks to its 77-kilowatt-hour battery that car be charged with the energy needed for at least 260 km in 30 minutes.

    Seat CEO Carsten Isensee said there will not be a Seat version of the el-Born.

    The Cupra el-Born will be built at VW's factory in German alongside the VW ID3 and Audi Q4 e-tron.

    Skoda will build the Enyaq at its plant in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic.

    Share

    The Cupra el-Born will be the first performance-oriented car based on VW Group's modular MEB electric platform.

    Share

    The Cupra el-Born is based on parent VW Group's MEB platform and the brand says its first full-electric car offers dynamic driving with a range of up to 500 km (311 miles).

    Share

    The Cupra el-Born is based on parent VW Group's MEB platform and the brand says its first full-electric car offers dynamic driving with a range of up to 500 km (311 miles).

    Share

    The Cupra el-Born is based on parent VW Group's MEB platform and the brand says its first full-electric car offers dynamic driving with a range of up to 500 km (311 miles).

    EVs and hybrids

    Seat is electrifying its lineup with EVs and hybrids. Plug-in versions of the Seat Leon compact hatchback and Seat Tarraco midsize SUV will go on sale in the second half.

    A plug-in-hybrid variant of the Cupra Formentor compact crossover will be available next year. The Formentor compact crossover with a 360-hp gasoline engine opened for pre-orders on July 8. It will be priced about the same as the Cupra Ateca with similar engine, Griffiths said. The Cupra Ateca starts from 43,640 euros in Spain.

    Seat had been chosen to lead VW Group's development of a new family of small electric cars that would go on sale in 2023 priced at less than 20,000 euros. VW Group has since changed its mind and is now likely to give the development role to the VW brand.

    Isensee said on Wednesday that Seat will be involved in the project in some form. "This will be decided in the near future," he said.

    Griffiths, who is Seat's head of sales as well as Cupra CEO, said Seat will need a small EV in the future. "I will fight strongly to have it for our company," he said.

    Seat currently sells an electric version of its Mii minicar, based on the VW e-Up.

    Griffiths said the electric Mii has performed a lot better than expected and is now sold out. "We are talking to VW to obtain more units in 2020 and 2021," he said.

    Seat plans to invest 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in research and development, equipment and electric cars from 2020-2025. The unit aims to build electric cars in Spain at its Martorell plant, starting in 2025.

    This will require government support and will depend on a step up in renewable energy and charging infrastructure in Spain, among other factors, Isensee said.

    Possible electric-car production in Spain could also include the assembly of batteries, but there is "still a long way to go," Isensee said.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Chinese automakers lead bids for Ford's German site as tensions rise, report says
    Recommended for You
    Ford plant Saarlouis
    Chinese automakers lead bids for Ford's German site as tensions rise, report says
    VW logos lit up
    VW's China JV with SAIC transforms Shanghai plant for EV production
    Porsche 911 Green
    E-fuels offer new life for combustion engines, but at what cost?
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • PUBLICIS SAPIENT: The power of post-purchase: How automakers can maximize customer lifetime value
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us