Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors (GWM) has confirmed plans to bring its new Ora electric vehicle brand to Australia in 2022, alongside at least three new hybrid SUVs across its Haval SUV and Tank four-wheel-drive brands.
GWM is yet to lock in which model will launch the Ora brand Down Under around the middle of this year, though all signs point to the Good Cat, a city car sized (and likely priced) a touch smaller than a Volkswagen Golf, but aimed squarely at electric cars such the Renault Zoe, BMW i3 and Honda E.
In the meantime, what is Ora, what is the Good Cat, how much will it cost, and why should you take notice? Here’s everything you need to know about GWM’s new electric sub-brand.
What is Ora?
Ora is a new electric vehicle brand created by Great Wall Motors, the Chinese automotive giant that markets vehicles in Australia under the GWM and Haval brands.
Founded in 2018 – with the Australia-bound Good Cat launching in China last year – Ora officially stands for Open, Reliable and Alternative.
What is the Ora Good Cat?
The Ora Good Cat is the Ora marque’s fourth-ever model – preceded by the iQ and Black Cat of 2018, and the White Cat of 2020, all sold in China – and takes the form of a city hatchback (classed as a ‘light car’ in Australia).
Measuring 4235mm long, 1825mm wide and 1596mm high, with a 2650mm wheelbase, the Ora Good Cat is roughly halfway between a Toyota Yaris and Toyota Corolla in terms of size – and is just 50mm shorter in overall length (yet 36mm wider) than a Volkswagen Golf small car.
As for its name, reports suggest the Good Cat, along with the Black Cat and White Cat that came before it, draw their badges from a comment of capitalism from former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping: “No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.”
Trademark filings all but confirm the city car will wear the Ora Good Cat name in Australia – rather than the Ora Cat 01 badge used in Europe, or the Ora Haomao name seen in China (a translation of Good Cat).
Ora Good Cat range and performance figures
Technical details for Australia are yet to be announced, however two battery options are available overseas: a 48kWh lithium-ion phosphate pack, and a larger 63kWh ternary lithium unit.
The electric motor each battery is mated to differs between markets. Chinese and Thai models are powered by a 105kW/210Nm electric motor, good for a 0-50km/h time of 3.8 seconds.
Meanwhile, European versions (or flagship Chinese Good Cat GT models) use a 126kW/250Nm motor, enabling a 8.5-second 0-100km/h time, according to European figures.
In Europe, Ora claims 336km of range for the entry-level 48kWh battery, while the 63kWh pack offers 420km – both measured according to the more stringent WLTP test cycle.
For comparison, a mid-spec Cupra Born hatch claims 420km WLTP, while the updated MG ZS EV Long Range quotes 440km – both cars due in Australia in the second half of 2022.
Zero to 80 per cent fast charge times also differ between regions. Ora in Thailand quotes times for the 48kWh and 63kWh batteries of 46 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, while in Europe they’re 40 and 50 minutes respectively, with maximum charging power of 80kW.
How much will the Ora Good Cat cost?
Australian pricing for the 2022 Ora Good Cat is yet to be announced, however overseas prices suggest the Great Wall Motors hatchback could become one of Australia’s most affordable electric (passenger) vehicles – if not the cheapest outright.
In China, the entry-level, 48kWh Good Cat Muse Edition starts from 103,900 yuan ($AU22,750), rising to 143,900 yuan ($AU31,500) for the flagship 63kWh Poseidon Edition. However, these prices include government subsidies – remove them and the price range jumps to between approximately $AU25,500 (115,000 yuan) to $AU32,500 (149,000 yuan).
For comparison, the range-topping version of fellow GWM brand Haval’s H6 mid-size SUV costs 157,000 ($AU34,300) yuan in China, or five per cent more than the top-tier Ora Good Cat.
The same Haval H6 variant costs $40,990 drive-away locally – suggesting the entire Ora Good Cat range in Australia could cost less than $39,000 drive-away, undercutting Australia’s current most affordable electric car, the $44,990 drive-away MG ZS EV (excluding the handful of BYD cars sold in recent months).
An entry-level Good Cat with fewer features and the smaller 48kWh battery – but a moderate suite of active safety technologies – could cost approximately $31,000 drive-away locally,.
Standard features on the entry-level Muse Edition in China include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, four-speaker sound system, fabric upholstery and keyless entry – but no autonomous emergency braking, or any active safety features.
The second-from-base Venus Edition in China (113,900 yuan after incentives) adds 18-inch wheels, leather and suede upholstery, a 360-degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, a leather steering wheel, and active safety features including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.
Higher model grades add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with massaging, heated front seats, a six-speaker sound system, automatic parking, and two-tone exterior paint.
A sporty GT version of the Good Cat is also available overseas, which adds a sporty red-accented exterior body kit, unique 18-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and black and red seat upholstery. In China, it adds the more potent 126kW electric motor offered as standard in Europe.
Does Ora sell any other cars?
Ora’s model range in China currently consists of the Good Cat (including standard and GT variants), White Cat and Black Cat city cars, with a slew of new models – including a Lightning Cat sedan, and a Volkswagen Beetle-like Punk Cat – due in the coming years.
There’s no word on if these models will be offered in Australia – though Great Wall Motors (GWM) has filed design patents for the majority of these models locally.
When will Ora launch in Australia?
The 2022 Ora Good Cat is slated for launch in Australia sometime this year – and while specific launch timing is yet to be officially confirmed, Drive understands the new electric car will go on sale around the middle of the year.
Stay tuned to Drive for all the latest Ora reviews and news, specific to the 2022 Ora Good Cat and the brand’s future models.
Keyword: Ora Good Cat: Everything you need to know about Australia’s next affordable electric car