GWM’s dedicated electric car brand, Ora, has taken centre stage at the Paris motor show with the reveal of the Next Ora Cat (yes, that’s its name) four-door ‘coupe’.
The rapidly growing company’s new flagship EV with four frameless doors is very much designed to tackle the Tesla Model 3, plus the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal.
The new GWM Next Ora Cat was previously unveiled at home in China as the Ora Lightning Cat.
Rather than focusing on a cut price, the new GWM Ora model – at least, the version in Paris – is pitched as a performance and luxury leader for the brand with giant aspirations.
The Next Ora Cat measures 4871mm long, 1862m wide and 1500mm tall, on a 2870mm wheelbase – about bang-on with the Ioniq 6. The listed kerb weight is a hefty 2.2 tonnes.
It’s powered by a large lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide battery pack with 83.5kWh capacity, and runs an all-wheel drive system (presumably with front and rear axle motors) offering outputs of 300kW and 680Nm.
GWM claims a zero to 100km/h time of 4.3 seconds when using the Super Sport mode, and energy consumption of 20.5kWh per 100km – pretty thirsty. This keeps range to a claimed 430km despite the streamlined shape and big battery.
An 80W DC charge can take you from empty to 80 per cent full in 55 minutes, GWM claims.
The GWM Next Ora Cat interior includes a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen, 11-speaker sound system, a surround-view camera, UV sterilisation lighting (we’re curious about this too), voice controls, and connectivity to the GWM Ora app.
Other nifty features will include a face ID system, cooled and heated seats with massaging functions, Michelin tyres, and a panoramic sunroof.
“This four-door, 100% electric coupé owes its elegant appearance to its contoured design elements and frameless doors,” goes GWM’s press speil.
“Ergonomic sports seats with massage, heating and ventilation functions, intelligent air conditioning and the dome-shaped panoramic sunroof in the rear ensure a sense of wellbeing – even on longer journeys. And it is a pleasure to drive.”
While not confirmed, we’d bank on it coming to Australia as well, considering the smaller and cheaper GWM Ora Good Cat hatch is coming next year to rival the BYD Atto 3.
GWM (Great Wall Motor) currently sells the diesel-fuelled GWM Ute, and a pair of GWM Haval SUVs – the Jolion and H6 – with petrol and hybrid options.
It also plans to launch the Tank SUV brand next year, and has a few additional plans up its sleeve.
MORE: GWM, Haval sales hit new monthly high
MORE: China’s cheap EV wave is leaving better-known brands behind
Hyundai Ioniq 6 
Tesla Model 3 
GWM Next Ora Cat 
BYD Seal
