GWM Ora Next Cat to be named Ora Sport in Australia if released locally

UPDATE: The GWM Ora Sport – known as Lightning Cat in China or Next Cat in Europe – is under evaluation for an Australian launch.

Wheels had a chance to test the intriguing electric liftback from China; you can read the full review here.

“This car is not yet confirmed for the Australian market, in much the way as GWM Tank 500 isn’t, but it is under strong consideration”, said head of marketing and communications at GWM, Steve Maciver.

“What I would say, is that we wouldn't be bringing vehicles here for you to drive them if we weren't serious about bringing them to market”, he elaborated.

The car in question was a single motor example with 150kW/340Nm and a driving range of 55km in NEDC testing from a 59kWh lithium-ion battery.

Understandably, Australian pricing was not given in full, but GWM is confident that, if the Ora Sport does go on sale, it will be competitive with the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range ($63,900 before on-road costs) and Polestar 2 Single Motor ($63,900).

The car was equipped with white leatherette upholstery, a Porsche Taycan-inspired 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a massage function for the power-adjustable front seats.

It is expected that, if the Ora Sport does hit our market a more powerful 300kW/680Nm twin motor that hits 100km/h in a claimed 4.3 seconds and is rated with a 705km driving range (NEDC) will also be offered.

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

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The Story to here

October 17, 2022: 2023 GWM Ora Next Cat EV revealed, could come to Australia

The 2023 Ora Next Cat electric car has been revealed for Europe, hoping to rival the likes of Tesla's Model 3 sedan.

Though parent company GWM has not yet confirmed the model for Australia, it's possible it could launch here next year or in 2024 as part of the firm's wider plans to launch more than 50 energy-efficient vehicles by 2025 – including the Ora Good Cat next year.

JUMP AHEAD

• Battery and performance
• Driving range and charging time
• Features
• Dimensions
• What is Ora?
• When will the Ora Next Cat come to Australia?

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Ora Next Cat battery and performance

The Ora Next Cat, revealed today at the Paris Motor Show but known in China as the Lightning Cat, uses a 89kWh lithium battery and is capable of producing 300kW/680Nm to propel it from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.3 seconds.

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Driving range and charging time

GWM also claims a driving range of 430 kilometres with a 0-80 per cent charge time of 55 minutes, and the sedan comes with all-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels.

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Features

As standard, the European model also gets; a 10.25 inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3 inch central screen, 11-speaker immersive sound system, 360-degree view cameras, remote connectivity via the GWM Ora app, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and kick-start powered tailgate.

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Dimensions

The car weighs in at 2200 kilograms, and has a wheelbase of 2780 millimetres. It's 4871mm long, 1862mm wide and is 1500mm tall.

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What even is GWM Ora?

GWM Ora is the company’s dedicated EV marque, launching alongside GWM Tank which will focus on four-wheel-drives, and the established SUV brand GWM Haval – with GWM remaining dedicated to utes in Australia.

It’s expected the 2022 GWM Ora Cat 01 will be offered here in a similar specification to the model launched in the UK, with a choice of 48kWh or 63kWh battery packs feeding a 126kW/250Nm electric motor driving the front axle.

Depending on the battery optioned, Ora claims a driving range of up to 336 kilometres and 420km respectively.

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Will the GWM Ora Next Cat come to Australia?

GWM's local arm GWM Haval has told Wheels Media the Next Cat is not yet confirmed for Australia, but given the company plans to launch 50 EVs and hybrids by 2025, the Next Cat would seem a good chance for Australia.

Watch for more details to come in the months ahead.

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