GWM has begun taking orders for its Ora electric hatchback, with a low starting price that pits it against the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3.
The SUV and pickup maker has finally provided pricing information for its first electric vehicle in Australia.
In some markets, the GWM Ora (also known as the Funky Cat or the Good Cat) will arrive in Australia in April. Later in 2023, the Ora GT will also be released.
The Ora is roughly the same size as the Volkswagen Polo or Golf. It is a conventional passenger car, unlike its main rivals, with no raised ride or off-road pretensions.
Key specifications
Performance
| Standard Range | Extended Range | Extended Range GT | |
| Price drive-away | $43,990 | $47,990 | $53,990 |
| Weight | 1,540 kg | 1,580 kg | 1,580 kg |
| Charge Power (AC) | 11 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Power | 126 kW | 126 kW | 126 kW |
| Efficiency WLTP | 146 Wh/km | 141 Wh/km | 141 Wh/km |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 250 Nm | 250 Nm |
| Range WLTP | 310 km | 420 km | 420 km |
| Battery useable | 45.4 kWh | 59.3 kWh | 59.3 kWh |
| Fast-charge Power (DC) | 64 kW | 67 kW | 67 kW |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h | 8.3 s | 8.2 s | 8.2 s |
| Drive | Front | Front | Front |
GWM offers two battery options for the Ora. Depending on your battery pack, the range is either 310km or 420km. The standard range consists of a 45.4 kWh li-ion battery, while the extended range consists of 59.3 kWh.
The Ora is the latest salvo in what could be a barrage of new electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles for GWM in Australia.
The automaker already has hybrid versions of the Haval Jolion and H6 SUVs, while the Tank 300 hybrid is not far away from reaching the Australian market. The Ora Lightning Cat sedan/coupe is also slated to debut, but it has not been officially confirmed. Meanwhile, the Haval H6 PHEV has not been completely ruled out.
The Ora is powered by a front-mounted electric motor with 126kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
On the WLTP test cycle, the GWM Ora has an assumed range of 320km. When you select the Extended Range option, you get 420km on the same test. The smaller battery, according to GWM, can charge from 10% to 80% in 41 minutes.
Sizes and Dimensions
| EV dedicated platform | Yes / L.E.M.O.N. |
| Seats | 5 |
| Dimensions(L x W x H) | 4235 x1825 x1603 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm |
| Towing(unbraked/braked) | 0/0 kg |
| Boot capacity(std/max) | 228/858 L |
The GWM Ora is 4235mm long, 1825mm wide, and 1603mm tall, with a 2650mm wheelbase. The claimed boot space is 228 liters, which expands to 858 L with the rear seats rolled up. It weighs only 1555kg.
Like the rest of the lineup, the GWM Ora comes with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometer warranty. The battery is warranted for eight years. Five years of roadside assistance and five years of capped-price maintenance are also included.
Based on Euro NCAP testing in 2022, GWM’s electric hatchback earned a five-star rating from ANCAP. The GWM Ora received a 92% adult occupant protection rating, an 84% child occupant protection rating, a 74% vulnerable road user protection rating, and a 93% safety assist rating.
Safety Assist
The following items will be standard safety devices across the Ora range:
- Seven SRS airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking with the pedestrian, cyclist, and crossing vehicle detection
- Blind-spot monitor and assist
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse collision warning
- Traffic sign recognition
- Camera-based driver monitoring
Standard Hardware
The Ora and Ora Extended Range come standard with the following features:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charger
- Leatherette seats
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- Four-way power passenger seat
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Surround-view camera
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear parking sensors
Extended Range GT features
- Unique 18-inch alloy wheels
- Unique bumpers and grille
- Powered hands-free tailgate
- Panoramic sunroof
- Red brake calipers
- Driver’s seat memory
- Heated steering wheel
- Automatic parking
Colors
- Aurora Green
- Glacier Blue
- Mars Red
- Sun Black
- Hamilton White
Drive-away pricing by state
The Ora is also available with drive-away pricing. It varies by state due to the variety of incentives available:
| 2023 GWM Ora | NSW | ACT | QLD | SA | TAS | WA | VIC | NT |
| Standard Range | 45,550 | 45,137 | 46,114 | 46,891 | 45,090 | 47,891 | 47,234 | 44,490 |
| Long Range | 49,550 | 49,137 | 50,194 | 51,051 | 49,090 | 52,403 | 51,402 | 48,490 |
| Long Range GT | 55,050 | 54,637 | 55,804 | 56,771 | 54,590 | 58,405 | 57,138 | 54,125 |
