Great Wall Motor’s Ora EV brand has unveiled its second model for the UK market, following the successful launch of the Funky Cat compact hatchback.
The latest addition to the lineup is a premium sedan that is already available in China under the name Ora Lightning Cat. The UK version of the sedan was recently introduced in the form of a pre-production show vehicle at the Fully Charged Live event in Farnborough, UK.
Once it hits the UK market in the first quarter of 2024, this electric sedan will compete against rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and other premium electric vehicles.
Drum roll please 🥁
We're incredibly excited to unveil a new member of the GWM ORA family, our fully electric premium saloon💥
On sale early 2024, more details, including the official name, to be announced soon!
Excited? https://t.co/doumtEBBPJ
#gwmora #newgwmora #newcar pic.twitter.com/eWYLy7i1BY— GWM ORA UK (@GWMORA_UK) April 28, 2023
Remaining true to the brand’s distinctive retro-futuristic design philosophy, the Ora Lightning Cat (which may have a different name for the UK market) promises exceptional levels of quality, technology, and specifications, as Great Wall Motor aims to solidify its position in the electric vehicle space.
While details regarding UK specifications and pricing will be disclosed in the coming months, Great Wall Motor expects them to be competitive compared to brands like Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia.
The Chinese automaker anticipates that the electric sedan will provide a driving range of over 300 miles according to WLTP standards. In China, the Ora sedan is equipped with an 83-kilowatt-hour battery, which is likely to be offered in the UK as well.
The Ora Lightning Cat will be available in both two- and all-wheel-drive configurations. The all-wheel-drive variant, in its most powerful form, will deliver 395 horsepower (294 kilowatts) and 501 pound-feet (680 Newton-meters) of torque. It is estimated that this particular variant will accelerate from zero to 62 mph in approximately 4.4 seconds.
The pre-production show vehicle featured in the aforementioned images will be utilized for localized testing before the official UK launch later this year. GWM Ora emphasizes that this particular car is a representation and not the final production version for the UK market.
Based on the displayed pre-production car, Ora’s electric sedan is expected to offer premium features like a spacious panoramic glass roof, synthetic leather seats, and interior multi-color ambient lighting.
“The introduction of our next premium electric vehicle in the UK is a truly significant moment for our brand. It reflects GWM Ora’s strong commitment and investment in establishing itself as a leader across multiple segments in the UK. We always knew that our first model, the ORA Funky Cat, was just the beginning. There are many more exciting things on the horizon.” said Toby Marshall, Managing Director, GWM Ora UK
Customers attending the Fully Charged Live show will have the opportunity to make initial reservations for the new model. The first ten buyers will receive a limited edition concept art of the car and a bottle of champagne in a branded display box upon delivery of their new vehicle.
The brand initially introduced its first model, the Funky Cat First Edition, to the UK market in November 2022. Additional variants of the compact EV, including models with a larger battery option, are set to debut later this year.
