► GWM to launch Tesla Model 3 challenger
► Maximum range of more than 300 miles
► Top model will have a four-second 0–62mph time
GWM Ora has teased a new electric saloon which is destined to reach the European market in early 2024. It’ll sit above the Ora Funky Cat in the company’s line-up and become a fresh rival for the likes of the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BMW i4.
The new electric saloon is already on sale in China, where it’s called the Ora Lightning Cat. However, a spokesman for the brand has hinted the EV might adopt a more sensible numerical badge by the time it reaches the UK – potentially the Ora 07. This name-number strategy could also be adopted by all the future cars the company brings to Europe and the UK.
Prices and full specifications are yet to be announced, although GWM Ora has confirmed they’ll be released towards the end of 2023. The saloon’s biggest rival will be the Tesla Model 3 and, to drag buyers away from that car, it’ll need to beat its recently lowered £39,000 starting price.
GWM Ora says its new electric saloon will have a maximum range of more than 300 miles and a choice of either two- or four-wheel drive powertrains. For the time being, GWM has only announced European performance specs for the latter option. It’ll have an output of around 400bhp and 500lb/ft of torque, which Ora says is enough for 0–62mph time of 4.4 seconds.
In China, the entry-level front-wheel drive model has an output of 201bhp and a maximum range of 438 miles. Both variants are fed by an 82kWh battery pack, which we expect will be retained for the European-spec cars.
A pre-production version of the saloon will be on display at Fully Charged Live (between 19 and 21 May 2023) – and brand representatives will be taking reservations for the car. The first 10 customers to place reservations will receive limited edition concept art of the car and a bottle of champagne when they take delivery of the vehicle.
The Lightning Cat won’t be the only project to come from GWM Ora in the next few years, though. Read on to learn more about the upcoming new derivates of the Funky Cat and the company’s technical partnership with BMW.
What about the Ora Funky Cat?
It’s still around – and GWM Ora has big plans for the hatchback. The First Edition model has a starting price of £31,995 and a 48kWh battery pack that offers a maximum range of 193 miles, but its line-up will start expanding before 2023 is out.
First to reach the market will be a more expensive 63kWh variant with a maximum range of 260 miles. Ora is also planning a sub-£30,000 version of the Funky Cat which will allow it to play more in the space of the budget-friendly MG 4.
In addition, Ora has previewed a hot hatch-style GT trim level with two-tone alloys, a rear spoiler, diffuser and sports seats. The First Edition has just one power output – 126kW/169bhp, good for an 8.3-second 0–62mph sprint – but sources say the Chinese are considering a performance upgrade.
Where can I kick the Funky Cat’s tyres?
International Motors Group – the Midlands-based company which imports Subaru and Isuzu in the UK, Ireland and Sweden – has the licence to Ora. The firm has seven retailers, most of which are in southern England, although there are dealers as far afield as Belfast and Glasgow.
Chances are, you’ll have a retailer nearby if you’re interested – and it shouldn’t be too hard to keep your car on the road, either, as there are a further 13 aftersales centres. Naturally you can buy a Funky Cat online too.
The cars are covered by a five-year warranty, rising to eight years and 100,000 miles for the powertrain. International Motors (IM) says it took 8000 expressions of interest last year and it hopes to deliver 5000 cars during 2023.
Tell me about Ora’s partnership with BMW
Great Wall Motors founded the Ora brand in 2018 and it shifted 135,000 units in 2021 across its feline range. But Ora has several sister brands, such as Wey and Haval (which sell SUVs and crossovers) and Poer (that sells pick-up trucks).
GWM also has also entered a 50:50 partnership with BMW called Spotlight Automotive, to co-engineer and assemble future Minis at a factory in Jiangsu province. The plant has a capacity of 160,000 vehicles and will assemble the new MINI Aceman, a five-door electric crossover coming in 2024. Both the four metre-long Aceman and the Funky Cat share a platform, codenamed A0.
