The CUPRA brand, which was once known as SEAT Sport, has announced details of its new all-electric el-Born model. This car will be using the cutting-edge technology of the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform. The vehicle will be propelled by a sizeable 77kWh (gross: 82kWh) battery, which will offer a range of up to 310 miles (500km). Thanks to its rapid charging capability, the Cupra el-Born will take on the energy needed for at least 161 miles (260km) in only 30 minutes. The battery is efficient and also powerful, delivering acceleration from 0-31mph (0-50km/h) in only 2.9 seconds.
The el-Born will also offer convenience features such as an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display and full connectivity. The interior will follow the brand’s philosophy with sports bucket seats and the new CUPRA steering wheel with mode buttons and high-quality, sustainably sourced material choices throughout.
The car will be manufactured at the iconic Zwickau plant in Germany, which we reported that in the future it will only produce EVs, saying goodbye to internal combustion engines. SEAT will invest five billion euros into its research and development projects by 2025, focusing on further electrification of its model line-up. The el-Born has to be considered the first step on the all-electric path of the company. The significant investment will go towards vehicle development at SEAT’s Technical Centre, particularly towards electrifying the range, as well as equipment and facilities at the Martorell, Barcelona and Componentes plants.
SEAT President Carsten Isensee believes that this substantial investment will give the company a bright future. “This investment plan is our way of dealing with the future with determination and optimism, so that we will have a stronger, more innovative and more sustainable company,” he said. “Our willingness is that Martorell will manufacture electric vehicles from 2025 onward, when the electric vehicle market will have grown.”
At a press conference held in the recently opened Casa SEAT in central Barcelona, SEAT Vice-president for Sales and Marketing and CUPRA CEO Wayne Griffiths said that the two brands are essential for the development of the company. Each one has a clear role, with its own personality and attributes that will address different customer profiles.
“SEAT is the entry gate to the Volkswagen Group: we have the youngest customers, on average 10 years younger, and many first-time buyers. CUPRA on the other hand, targets a new market segment that lies between the mass market and the traditional premium market. We are sure that there is great potential for growth among customers who are looking for the uniqueness of CUPRA.”