Tag Archives: VW ID.3

Cupra’s Version Of The VW ID.3, The el-Born, Will Feature A ‘Boost’ Function For Overtaking

Cupra is readying their version of the VW ID.3 in the form of the el-Born, a sportier interpretation of the electric Golf-sized hatchback, and apparently, it will have an extra feature to further differentiate itself.

Much like the Sport Chrono overboost function in the Porsche 911, the el-Born is set to get a special ‘overtaking’ function in the form of a push-to-pass boost button, according to the brand’s boss Wayne Griffiths.

By pressing this button, the electric powertrain of the Cupra El-Born will produce more power than normal for a limited amount of time, cutting short the time you spend overtaking other vehicles.

Read Also: ABT Sportsline Upgrades 2021 Cupra Formentor To 365 HP

“I would say we call it ‘impulse’; you can have power on demand. You have pure acceleration and then when you need it, a push-to-pass button to go faster,” Griffiths told Top Gear.

In addition, the el-Born will also feature an exclusively developed Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (DCC Sport) suspension in order to offer a more engaging and fun handling than its VW sibling.

“Things like ‘boost on demand’, the sporty suspension, the steering, the brakes, the whole handling experience. And we’re looking to do even higher powered versions of the Cupra El-Born,” adds Griffiths.

“I’ve driven both [the ID.3 and the El-Born] and I think the Cupra is ‘a Cupra’. It is important that the Cupra stays authentic, in terms of handling. Pure electric cars that are designed in a different way, and when you get into cornering, handling, braking, steering, I think there’s a big amount of differentiation you can create there.”

Cupra’s boss also confirmed the rumors of an upcoming version of the Formentor which uses an Audi-sourced 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine. The souped-up Formentor should arrive in the market later this year with around 400 HP.

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VW ID.3 Was Europe’s Best-Selling EV In October, Renault Zoe And Hyundai Kona Followed

With the petrol and diesel ban knocking on the door of the automotive industry, customers have become more interested in electrified cars than ever.

Europeans, for one, bought more electrified vehicles than diesels for the second month in a row, and the continent’s best-selling battery-electric model was the Volkswagen ID.3.

According to Jato’s analysis, the German electric hatchback accounted for 10,475 units in October, followed by the Renault Zoe supermini and Hyundai Kona small crossover, with 9,778 and 5,261 units respectively. The chart was completed by the Kia e-Niro, Peugeot e-208, Smart ForTwo, BMW i3, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa-e, MINI Cooper SE and Nissan Leaf, in this order.

Watch Also: 2021 VW ID.3 First Drive Finds It Has A Lot Going For It, But Also Has Its Faults

The plug-in hybrid king was the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (4,209 units), with the Volvo XC40 and Volkswagen Passat completing the podium, and the BMW 3-Series, Audi Q5, VW Golf, Renault Captur, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC following.

In the mild-hybrid and full-hybrid category, Toyota nabbed the two top spots, with the Yaris (13,338 units) and Corolla (9,728), while the bronze medal went to the Fiat Panda. The Ford Puma, Fiat 500, Toyota C-HR, RAV4, Suzuki Swift, Ford Focus, and Suzuki Ignis completed the chart.

The Golf was Europe’s best-selling car in October, accounting for 27,530 units, followed by the smaller Renault Clio and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, with 22,588 and 21,220 units sold respectively. Other popular models were the Peugeot 208, Fiat Panda, Renault Captur, Toyota Yaris, Peugeot 2008, Skoda Octavia, and Citroen C3.

New car registrations were down by 7 percent last month in Europe, from 1.21 to 1.13 million vehicles.

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