Published on January 18, 2022
- Ora Cat 01 revealed
- The rival Volkswagen ID.3 has a range of 265 miles
- Price from £25,000
Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors is returning to the UK car market with the all-new Ora Cat 01 electric car, which is expected to go on sale in the UK with prices expected to be around £25,000. Ora is the new EV-only brand from Great Wall Motors.
Ora Cat 01 EV price and release date
The Ora Cat 01 will cost around £25,000 when it goes on sale mid-year. You can already express your interest on the company’s website. Cracking value is one of the Ora’s big selling points alongside its most obvious rival, the Volkswagen ID.3, which starts at £32,000 for a model with a 260-mile range.
Ora Cat 01 EV specifications
Aside from the name, the most eye-catching feature of the Ora Cat 01 electric car is its looks, which appear to have been created by throwing retro elements – oval LED headlights, hood bulges, a taillight bar and the like – into a jelly shape. We’ll let you make your own decision, but if not attractive, at least you could say it’s distinctive.
It may look like a Peugeot e-208 rival, but measuring 4235mm, 1825mm wide and 1596mm high, the Ora Cat’s dimensions are more in line with the Volkswagen ID.3.
Inside, that means the Ora has room for four tall adults, although headroom is a bit cramped for six-footers sitting upright. The 228-litre boot is less impressive – a Volkswagen ID.3 is about 50 percent larger.
The Cat gets back on the front paw with its infotainment system, which is easier to use than the Volswagen’s and comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Like the exterior, the interior design is a mix of modern and retro. You get two 10.5-inch infotainment screens at the top of the dash with fake suede trims, while below you’ll find toggle switches nicked straight from the mini-hatch. Well, imitation is the greatest form of flattery and so on.
Tech includes a 360-degree parking camera that expands an image of the car to include its surroundings, and you get facial recognition that automatically sets up the car with your user profile.
How is it driving? It’s too early to tell, but you can choose between 40 or 63 kWh batteries for a range of 201 and 260 miles, respectively. Both cars deliver around 168 hp and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
And with the cat out of the bag (sorry), it only remains to say that there is a five-year guarantee on the mechanics and eight years on the battery. Here’s to you VW…
Who makes the Ora Cat 01?
Ora is an all-electric vehicle brand from Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors, which previously sold the Steed pick-up truck.
How much does an Ora Cat 01 cost?
Pricing for the Ora Cat 01 is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be around £25,000.
Can you buy a Chinese electric car in the UK?
Chinese company MG is already selling electric cars in the UK, while Ora will start selling its Cat 01 EV from summer 2022.
Ask HJ
When do you think the Volkswagen ID.3 and the SEAT el-Born will actually be available?
When do you think the Volkswagen ID.3 and the SEAT el-Born will actually be available? Are there other similar cars to watch out for?
First deliveries of the ID.3 are expected in mid-2020. From what I understand there is already a sizeable waiting list so you may have trouble actually getting your hands on one if you haven’t already got your name down. You could also consider a Kia e-Niro or Tesla Model 3. Also consider a MINI Electric, Honda E or Peugeot e-208 if you don’t need that much space.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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Ask HJ
What is the best electric car to buy in 2021?
What is the best electric car to buy in 2021?
It depends on your requirements. Cars like the Skoda Citigo-e iV, Vauxhall Corsa-e and Renault Zoe are great introductions to electric vehicles. The Nissan Leaf and the Volkswagen e-Golf are good used cars. The Volkswagen ID.3 is an excellent all-rounder, as is the Kia e-Niro and Tesla Model 3. Then there are premium electric SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron. A list of the cheapest electric cars can be found here: https://heycar.co.uk/guides/cheapest-electric-cars
Answered by Andrew Brady
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