A look at the GWM ORA 03: SA’s most affordable EV

At the time of writing, the GWM ORA 03 is the cheapest EV for sale in the Mzansi. The EV is often known as Funky Cat or Good Cat in foreign markets. Moreover, this hatchback EV is designed by the Ex-Porsche Designer, Emanual Derta. Its design may remind you of the boutique hatchbacks that were plentiful in South Africa around a decade ago. 

Let’s uncover the complete specs and details of this EV in this review.

The powerhouse of this car lies in a 48kWh battery that produces a maximum output of 126kW and 250Nm of torque. The company claims that it can travel a maximum distance of 310 km on a single charge. With a top speed of 160 km/h, the ORA 03 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds, which is quite impressive. Overall, the performance specs are pretty good for the price, but the automaker could have offered a bigger battery with some extra range with this EV.

The GWM ORA 03 is available in the car's five driving modes: Eco, Eco +, Normal, Sport, and Auto. 

The GWM ORA 03 is a premium hatchback, featuring a compact yet stylish design. The EV also gets a panoramic sunroof, shark antenna, and LED headlamps for enhanced aesthetics. Furthermore, it comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels which improve the vehicle’s road presence and performance. 

The ORA 03 is well-regarded for its premium and tech-loaded interior. The interior of this car feels sporty, feature-loaded, and quite comfortable. The centre dashboard looks elegant, and the sleek AC vent design steals the show for this car. Also, the two-spoke steering wheel with multiple controls gives the interior a premium feel. The car also features massage seats for enhanced comfort. However, finding the controls for massage seats can be a task sometimes.

Safety features include advanced camera technology, auto land-changing, traffic sign recognition, automatic obstacle detection, seven airbags, an automatic door release in emergencies, and a high-strength steel body.

ORA 03 is equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is heavily loaded with multiple menus and navigations. The infotainment system comes attached to a 10.25 digital instrument cluster that displays various driving and vehicle information. Apple CarPlay comes standard in the vehicle and Android Auto is coming soon. The interior also features a wireless charger for enhanced convenience. 

Currently, there are very few options for this segment in South Africa. The Mini Cooper SE inspires the design and usage of the ORA 03 and hence it competes mainly with the Cooper SE. You may also consider the Volvo EX30 in this segment. 

The GWM ORA 03 is available in four variants. The price for the base variant; ORA 03 300 Super Luxury starts at R 686,950. The price for ORA 03 400 Super Luxury starts at 775,950., the ORA 03 Ultra Luxury costs R805,950 and the ORA 03 GT 400 Ultra Luxury costs as much as R 835,950. (Prices correct at time of publication.)

The ORA 03 is an enthusiast’s car and won’t disappoint in terms of performance, comfort, safety, and reliability. So, you may consider this car as your next ride if you are looking for an affordable yet stylish EV.

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