GWM’s quirky EV could go hybrid in Australia

The GWM Ora 5 small electric SUV is due to arrive in Australia imminently as a replacement for the Ora electric hatch, but it could gain a hybrid powertrain.

The latest federal government certification documents for the Ora 5 list a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, alongside the 150kW/260Nm single-motor front-wheel drive electric powertrain already announced.

This hybrid powertrain produces 164kW of power and 476Nm of torque, and features GWM’s first-generation Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.1L/100km on the WLTC cycle.

Additionally, the latest approval documents – like the previous versions – list a variant that combines an electric powertrain with a lower ride height than either the hybrid or the Ora 5 EVs already locked in for Australia.

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At 1559mm tall, it has 135mm of ground clearance – the latter down 40mm on other Ora 5s, and making the new small SUV look even more like the small hatch it replaces.

Not included in the documents is the pure petrol-powered Ora 5 offered in some markets, which GWM Australia has previously ruled out. This produces outputs of 105kW and 210Nm, and is mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A plug-in hybrid version of the Ora 5 has also been previewed in China.

Unusually, GWM has chosen to not only develop almost identically styled Ora 5 variants with different ride heights, but also to pivot Ora – which is treated as a brand in China, but a sub-brand here – away from being exclusively electric.

Since its inception in 2018, the Ora brand has only offered EVs. Now, with the Ora 5, it’s expanding its powertrain lineup to include hybrid and even pure-combustion options.

Australian customer deliveries of the electric Ora 5 will begin in June, with the new SUV priced from $33,990 drive-away – the same price as the outgoing Ora hatch range is currently being offered from, after initially launching in updated guise in mid-2025 with a base price of $35,990 drive-away.

While it won’t be launched with a locally developed AT-1 chassis tune, GWM recently confirmed that will follow shortly after launch.

GWM has also said it plans to expand the Ora lineup here.

“There will be further expansion to come in the Ora range later this year as well, and you’re going to see another one, possibly two, additional Ora models land in this region as well,” said Steve Maciver, head of communications for GWM Australia and New Zealand, to Australian media at the Beijing motor show last month.

“At this stage, Ora’s focused on EV [in Australia, but], there may be hybrid options in there as well… We’ve got plenty of options. We’ve just got to work out what the right move for us is.

“There are other vehicles which we have seen, which we are keen on, which have not yet been revealed publicly, which are very much on our radar.”

As mentioned, the Ora 5 will be offered with two different ride heights, with a sedan version to follow that will slot in under the Lightning Cat offered in China. The as-yet-unrevealed sedan has been ruled out for Australia due to low demand for this body style locally.

It’s understood the additional Ora models being considered aren’t necessarily separate model lines, but rather members of the fast-growing Ora 5 family.

The Ora 5 will overlap somewhat with the Jolion Max, a small SUV based on the Jolion but with a larger footprint, which will be launched here late in 2026 with the choice of plug-in hybrid or electric powertrains. Pricing has yet to be announced.

“We’ve been pretty aggressive in terms of our position and our pricing for [the Ora 5]. We see an opportunity so that’s why we’ve done that. The way we’ve positioned the Ora 5 SUV has been intentional of where that’s going to position other models around that car,” explained Mr Maciver.

“We’re pretty happy where we’ve got to with the Ora 5 SUV pricing and it’s resonating, but it does leave us options on either side.”

MORE: 2026 GWM Ora 5 price and specs