Cupra El-Born: EV points to Volkswagen performance future

The Volkswagen Group’s performance future has this morning become a bit clearer, with the release of the Cupra El-Born.

Built on the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.3, the El-Born is the first production performance-oriented electric vehicle from a Volkswagen Group brand.

Full technical details haven’t yet been revealed, but we know the El-Born will have a 77kWh (usable, 83kWh net) battery pack good for 500km of driving, feeding energy to a rear-mounted electric motor.

Cupra claims the 0-50km/h sprint time is 2.9 seconds, but hasn’t quoted a 0-100km/h time or power outputs.

Outputs for the motor aren’t clear, but the Seat El-Born concept promised a 100km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds from its 150kW motor.

Given Cupra is a standalone performance sub-brand and the regular ID.3 has 150kW, the El-Born should be faster again.

Although it’s our first look at a performance-oriented Volkswagen Group product, the El-Born won’t be the last.

Reports have claimed Volkswagen is working on an ID.3 R for 2024 with all-wheel drive and more than 220kW.