With the introduction of many new brands into the country there are now plenty of choices for Irish motorists. When a car company introduces a new brand it can takes some time for the car-buying public to get to know about it and its range of cars. Advertising helps and word of mouth is also good, but nothing beats seeing the car ‘in the flesh.’
Four years back when Cupra, a sub brand of Seat, introduced their cars to Ireland they sold just a few cars in in 2021. But in a short space of time they have secured a one per cent share of the Irish market with gorgeous cars like the Formentor, Tavascan, Taramar and the Born which I drove last week. With Cupra you need to know your stuff about cars as they don’t carry the name of the car anywhere on the body of the car.
At a press briefing earlier this year Gaspar Alcaide, the Spanish-born MD for Cupra in Ireland admitted that it was a challenge to build a brand from zero. But it’s a challenge he says he is looking forward to. Gaspar admits that their target audience are males in their forties with a high disposable income.
Last year I drove the Cupra Born, which was the brand’s first fully electric car. Last week I was back in the Born, but this time it was a VZ version which has 326 horse power. I hope I didn’t get any penalty points!
VZ stands for Veloz in Spanish, meaning fast, and the Born VZ is rear-wheel drive, not the usual format for a hot-hatch, as they normally are front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Born was unveiled as a concept car in 2019 as El-Born and takes its name from an area in La Ribera, one of the oldest districts in Barcelona.
Externally it’s a very attractive car with a lovely touch of copper on the grille. My test car came in discreet green, the official colour was Forest Green. Inside those copper touches from the grille are replicated in the cabin and complement the classy look of the car. The seats are dark, but you get a full length sun-roof which brightens the décor.
The official interior colour was Granite Grey Dinamica. As with most new cars, the majority of the controls are located in the infotainment screen on the dash, but there are also plenty of slave controls on the steering wheel. My wife loved the bucket seats and there is room in the back seat for three adults, well maybe two in comfort.
You will find the distinctive Cupra logo on the bonnet, the boot and on the steering wheel. The one on the boot will also open the boot for you. There is a decent-sized boot, but as is now the norm with with most new cars no spare wheel.
Prices for the Cupra Born starts at €42,510 or €36,339 including grants, while the hot hatch for the boy racers will cost you €47,250 or €40,775 including grants. The range on the VZ version with a 79kWh battery is approx 540km and that is an accurate figure.
Mature readers may remember Butch Moore, who was the lead singer with the Capitol Showband many years ago. One of his early hits in the sixties was a song called ‘Born to Be With You.’ So if you are thinking of making the switch to electric, maybe this Born is for you.
Cupra is new brand, but parent company Seat has been around for 75 years and to celebrate that milestone they have unveiled attractive 252 offers for the month of June to give Irish drivers an opportunity to experience the spirit of Seat with low-rate finance. Cars on offer are: Ibiza, Arona, Ateca, Leon and Leon Sportstourer.
