GWM Ora electric cars now reaching showrooms

The GWM Ora electric hatchback is finally reaching showrooms.

After multiple delays, the first examples are now reaching showrooms for promotional and test-drive purposes. Customers can also place orders.

The company has confirmed more significant supply will reach showrooms later this month.

The GWM Ora, known as the Ora Good Cat or Funky Cat in other markets, was set to arrive in showrooms in April when the company released pricing and specifications in February.

It’ll be the first of a trio of Chinese-made electric hatchbacks launching locally this year, with the BYD Dolphin launching sometime around mid-year and the MG 4 due in September.

It’s the first electric vehicle GWM has offered locally, and will be one of the most affordable EVs in Australia with a base price of $43,990 before on-roads, or between $45,137 and $47,891 drive-away depending on the state/territory.

That undercuts the MG ZS EV, which opens at $44,990 before on-roads.

MG has confirmed its MG 4 Excite with a 64kWh battery will start at $44,990 before on-road costs, though it has confirmed a smaller 51kWh battery is coming, indicating a lower base price.

The GWM Ora will initially be offered in either standard or Extended Range guise, with 48kWh or 63kWh lithium-ion batteries, respectively.

Both feature a single front-mounted electric motor with 126kW of power and 250Nm of torque, with the standard model offering a claimed 320km of range on the WLTP cycle and the Extended Range offering 420km.

A sportier-looking GT trim will arrive later in the year.

The Ora joins a growing range of electrified vehicles under the GWM banner, including hybrid versions of the Haval Jolion and Haval H6. The Tank 300 hybrid is due “imminently”, and is expected to be joined later by an electrified Tank 500.

The Tank 500 is available with a choice of hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

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