Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) announced that the all-new Ora would have its first South African debut at the NAMPO Agricultural Trade Show from May 16-19, 2023.
The Ora will arrive at the special event along with Haval’s Jolion hybrid EV and a P-Series bakkie limited edition.
Local reports suggest that the Ora will be the country’s new cheapest electric model, overthrowing the Mini Hatch Cooper SE.
South Africa’s cheapest EV
The Ora Funky Cat, the new cheapest EV in South Africa, will reportedly have a base price of R716 900 to R915 900, depending on the trim level.
It overthrew the former title holder Mini Hatch Cooper SE, which starts at R742,142.
It is worth noting that the Ora has a base price of A$47 891 in Australia (including taxes) or approximately R609 635 at current exchange rates. As you can notice, South Africa’s pricing is R107 535 higher than in Australia.
The substantial price difference is not unexpected, given the hefty import taxes imposed on EV imports into South Africa. In fact, it has been impeding the country’s transition to sustainable mobility.
GWM Ora features
The GWM Ora is 1 603 mm tall, 4 235 mm long, and 1 825 mm wide with a 2 650 mm wheelbase.
It is equipped with a 48-kWh li-ion battery that supports either an AC or DC outlet. The company claims the EV’s charge time is only 41 minutes from 10-80% with an 80 kW DC charger.
The South African model’s range is not yet disclosed. However, the 48-kWh model has a range of 310 km, while the 63-kWh has a range of up to 420 km in Australia.
According to Tech Central, its electric motor generates 126KW and 250Nm of torque. Its top speed is 160km/h with 8 seconds from 0-100km/h acceleration time.
It is also a reliable EV with numerous sensors and cameras for 360-degree visibility. Its advanced driver assistance system offers the following features:
- lane departure warning
- automatic emergency braking
- adaptive cruise control
Appearance-wise, the GWM Ora sports a contemporary design that features the following:
- dynamic front grille
- LED headlights
- a streamlined body that optimizes aerodynamics and reduces wind resistance
It is also available in various paint colors, including orange, blue, and green.
See Also:
- Price and specifications for the 2023 GWM Ora in Australia
- Great Wall Motor presents WEY Coffee 01, ORA Funky Cat at the 2022 Paris Motor Show
- The cheapest electric cars in the key markets across the world as of 2023
- Hozon Neta V opens the door for a more affordable EVs era
- What would be “cost of ownership” for an electric vehicle, vis-a-vis ICE vehicle
The arrival of the GWM Ora in South Africa will surely entice customers to consider switching to electric vehicles.
