The Spanish brand Cupra is moving on all fronts to strengthen its sustainability program. While it is developing world-class technology by participating on the innovative Extreme E series, simultaneously it is producing urban electric vehicles in line with a 2030 zero-emission plan.
This week, the group unveiled the Cupra Born, which started production at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. The promotional event was attended by the company’s CEO Wayne Griffiths and members of Management Board, who were welcomed by Stefan Loth, Chairman of Volkswagen Saxony’s Board of Management and former head of the Seat plant in Martorell. They all received the first production car marking a new era for Seat and Cupra.
“With its emotional design and electric sportiness, the Cupra Born is the driving force behind the company’s transformation and the start of Cupra’s electric offensive,” Griffiths said.
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He assured that producing the first 100% electric model at Europe’s largest vehicle factory will provide valuable learnings as they seek to build cars with this technology in Martorell, Spain by 2025. “Our ambition is to produce more than 500,000 electric cars of this type per year in Spain for different Group brands,” estimated the Cupra executive.
Equipment
The Cupra Born is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, has a 58 kWh battery and has a range of 424 kilometers. At 120 kW stations, it recharges from 5 to 80% in 35 minutes, and in only 8 minutes, it gains 100 kilometers of additional range.
It can already be ordered with a range that is currently available with the most powerful and equipped version of 204 hp and 58 kWh battery capacity at a price starting at 38,610 euros.
Also affordable is the special introductory series ‘Launch Edition’, priced at 43,370 euros, featuring a more complete endowment with panoramic roof, 20-inch wheels, Head-Up Display with augmented reality and more safety assistants.
Protected Against Semiconductor Crisis
Semiconductors, an element with properties to transport electricity, are facing a serious shortage in the market. The situation is causing a crisis that has forced several factories to stop production, especially in Spain, and increased delivery times for some models and brands to 10 to 11 months.
Griffiths has made it clear that they will prioritize the Born’ production over any other model, as it is a car of extreme importance not only for Seat and Cupra, but also for the Volkswagen Group.
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He believes that the semiconductor shortage will last even throughout the first half of 2022, coinciding with the first commercial steps of the Born.
With this new creation, Cupra expects to increase the mix to 20% of the company’s total sales and conquer new markets, especially in countries where the electric car is more established.
Written by I Jhonattan González
