Cupra has opened orders for its high-performance Born VZ electric car, priced from £44,625.

The Cupra Born VZ delivers up to 326hp of power and 545Nm of torque

The latest version of the brand’s inaugural fully electric model delivers up to 326hp of power and 545Nm of torque – 75% more than any other Born version.

The electric hot hatch is able to reach 62mph from a standing start in 5.6 seconds. Top speed has also increased and is now limited to 124mph.

The Born VZ’s enhanced powertrain is married up with improved chassis dynamics thanks to DCC Sport suspension.

The Born VZ also gets a larger 79kWh battery pack that enables a WLTP range of up to 372 miles. It’s also able to recharge at up to 185kW via a DC charging point, with a fast charge from 10% to 80% taking around 26 minutes.

Alongside the uplift in power, the Born VZ also gains an uprated interior, with new Enceladus Grey Cup bucket seats as standard, and a Sennheiser Premium Audio sound system. On the exterior, the new model flaunts 20-inch ‘Thunderstorm’ alloy wheels and gains the exclusive option of a Dark Forest paint finish.

The Born VZ also receives a technology boost, with keyless entry (KESSY advanced), Car 2X intelligent vehicle networking and wireless phone charger all as standard.

Marcus Gossen, director of SEAT and Cupra UK, said: “The Cupra Born is an incredibly popular model, and we’re thrilled with the impact it has made as our first all-electric offering. At Cupra, we continuously strive to exceed expectations, and the Born VZ does exactly that. More power and enhanced refinement builds upon the strengths of an already exceptional car.”

Cupra slashed pricing for its Born electric hatch earlier this year while also simplifying the trim and battery line-up. Prices for the entry-level Born currently start from £35,165.