The GWM Ora Good Cat The EV has landed on all fours in Australia, with the electric hatchback scouting outside the company’s headquarters in Victoria.
These photos were obtained by CarExpert shows a right-hand drive version of a small EV with Victorian registration plates, which is intended for local testing and evaluation purposes.
At the back, the spy vehicle wears GWM, Ora, and Good Cat badges.
Good Cat is the name of this car in China, while in the UK it is called Funky Cat.
CarExpert understand the local name has not yet been confirmed. It was understood before the vehicle may simply be referred to as GWM Ora Cat or Cat 01 in Australia.
A trademark application has been filed for the Good Cat name but IP Australia says the trademark has been opposed by Caterpillar, which manufactures mining and construction equipment.
Whatever it’s called, the car you see here is expected to be the first GWM Ora to go on sale here. The brand was launched in China in 2018 and its product line also includes Ballet cat.
A spokesman for GWM Australia said: “Ora remains very firmly in our sights for Australia although the timing is still being discussed.
“However, our local testing and validation process continues and I can confirm that we have the first Ora here to help strengthen the business case.
“We were very impressed with what we saw and we secretly believe that new car buyers will be too. But let’s wait and see what the coming months hold.”
The GWM Ora is expected to arrive in Australia in 2023 with their opposite: the burly SUVs of the GWM Tank brand.
Good Cat will fight similar things to come MG 4 EV and BYD Dolphin / EA1 (plus offer BYD Atto 3) at the low end of the electric vehicle market.
The specifications published on the brand’s UK website show that the GWM Ora packs a 48kWh battery with a claimed range of 310 km on a more rigorous WLTP test cycle. The larger 59kWh battery is available in China.
The hatchback is equipped with a front-mounted electric motor that produces 126kW of power and 250Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds.
It can be charged up to 11kW on AC power and 80kW on DC power.
It is 4235mm long on a 2650mm wheelbase, about the same size as a Volkswagen Golf 8and weighs 1555kg quite light. It also sits on a bespoke power-only architecture and uses MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.
Inside, there is a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
The trunk space has 228L, expands to 858L when folding the rear seats.
At least in the UK and China, the striking two-tone interior colors of green/white and red/white are available.
It launched in the UK with the First Edition, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane centering, traffic jam assist, rear cross-traffic assist, LED headlights, adjustable front seats. power, wireless phone charging, and a view around the Camera.
At £31,995 (A$54,707), that puts it almost directly against the flagship MG 4 EV Trophy.
In addition to launching the Ora brand in the UK and Europe, Great Wall Motor also has a 50:50 partnership with BMW in China, and the two automakers are building a factory to produce electric variants. of BMW’s Mini and Great Walls brands from 2023.
THAN: Brand overview: Ora
THAN: GWM accelerates European market with Ora and Wey . brands
