Cupra’s Born electric performance hatch is now on sale, priced initially from £33,735 but with a lower-cost entry-level version due next year.

The Born will be offered with four battery outputs over the course of 2022

Based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.3 hatch, it’s the first electric car from SEAT’s sporty offshoot and the impulse for the company’s transformation.

The Born will be offered with four battery outputs over the course of 2022: 45kWh 150hp, 58kWh 204hp, 58kWh 231hp e-Boost and 77kWh 231hp e-Boost.

But for now, order books are only open for the 58kWh 204hp model, starting from £33,735 and due to start first deliveries late Q1 2022.

This will be followed soon after by the 45kWh 150hp version, which will become the new entry-level model. The remaining batteries – 58kWh 231hp e-Boost and 77kWh 231hp e-Boost – will be available later in 2022, with pricing still to be announced.

The Born 58kWh 204hp is expected to bring a WLTP range of 263 miles along with 310Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds.

The 58kWh battery can be charged from 0-100% in six hours 15 minutes using an 11kW AC wall charger, while a 120kW DC rapid charger gives a 5-80% charge in 35 minutes.

Three trim levels are on offer for the Born 58kWh 204hp: V1, V2 and V3. The entry-level 45kWh 150hp powertrain will be available exclusively in V1 trim.

The entry-level V1 trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, acoustic windshield and full LED headlights and tail-lights with welcome home and adverse weather functions.

It also includes a floating 12-inch infotainment system with navigation, wireless Full Link smartphone integration and Cupra Connect (including remote access to battery charge, cabin heating and air con, profiles and timers). Driver information is displayed via a 5.3-inch digital cockpit display.

Advanced driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, dynamic road sign display, lane assist and tiredness recognition system. Other onboard tech brings front and rear park distance control, front light assist, rear-view camera and drive profile selection (Range, Comfort, Performance, and Individual) and keyless central locking.

V2 trim upgrades to 19-inch alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear windows, augmented reality head-up display and heated front seats. It’s priced at £34,190 for the Born 58kWh 204hp.

The range-topping V3 trim, priced at £37,375, builds on this further with 20-inch alloys, and bucket seats with 12-way electrical adjustment on the front, along with heating and massage functions.

Options include Dynamic Chassis Control, upgraded Beats Audio sound system, heat pump and a panoramic sunroof. Equipment bundles bring a cargo pack with double boot floor and mode 2 charging cable and a Pilot pack with travel assist, side assist, rear traffic alert, exit warning, emergency assist, top view camera and intelligent park assist features. A Tech incorporating advanced keyless entry with illuminated door handles, wireless phone charging and intelligent park assist can also be specified.