We highway take a look at the primary automotive from a brand new model to the UK – the ORA Funky Cat EV…
With its cool identify and retro appears to be like, this reasonably priced electrical hatchback is our introduction to ORA – one in all 5 manufacturers owned by Chinese language automotive big, Nice Wall Motor.
Based in 1984, GWM is China’s largest producer of SUVs and pick-up vans, and the Funky Cat might be adopted by extra 100% electrical siblings, most likely all with cute feline names.
Apparently, ORA stands for “Open, Dependable and Different” and to date the technique appears to be working effectively as a result of ORA bought 135,000 vehicles in China throughout 2021 and several other thousand UK motorists have already registered an curiosity within the Funky Cat.
Priced from £31,995, ORA has saved it easy at launch with only a ‘First Version’, accessible in 4 colors, together with Aurora Inexperienced and Nebula Inexperienced.
That includes a 48kWh battery providing an official vary of 193 miles, energy comes from a 169bhp electrical motor driving the entrance wheels, giving a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds and a high pace of 99mph.
It may be charged by way of a 6.6kW dwelling charger in 5 hours 24 minutes, or 3 hours 12 minutes utilizing an 11kW public charger.
If you could find a speedy 100kW connection, you’ll be again on the highway in lower than 45 minutes.
The Funky Cat is greater than it appears to be like in footage, so it’s extra Golf than Polo, or Focus than Fiesta. Crucially, it’s additionally about the identical dimension because the VW ID.3 – the electrical automobile ORA reckons is the Funky Cat’s closest rival (although we’d say the Citroen e-C4 is nearer nonetheless).
With its mix of retro options and fashionable touches, this five-door household hatchback is a breath of recent air on the highway.
There are hints of MINI, VW Beetle, Nissan Micra and Alfa Romeo MiTo, with its spherical headlights, sloping nostril and bonnet creases.
The Funky Cat’s wheel-in-each-corner profile is extra distinctive with intelligent curves and a excessive waistline, whereas its pert rear will not be in contrast to a Nissan Leaf, although the ‘Cat’ has low set lights, a full width lightbar alongside the underside of the tailgate window and a sporty spoiler.
The inside is correct up there with the MINI Electrical by way of construct high quality and the near-premium use of supplies. It feels strong too (the doorways shut with a satisfying clunk).
It’s funky inside with a minimalist design and a trim matching the outside color. There’s an enormous two-spoke steering wheel, a row of toggle switches and a ten.25-inch touchscreen, plus a big digital driver’s show (additionally 10.25 inches).
Observe: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will type a part of an over-the-air replace in summer season 2023.
A particular point out for the voice command system, which works surprisingly effectively. Merely say “Good day Ora” and also you’re away. It recognises your voice too and it’s superb at opening and shutting home windows!
The Funky Cat is spacious too, with sufficient room for adults to sit down behind adults, although the boot is a modest 228 litres (rising to 858 litres with the rear seats flipped down).
The heated and electrically adjustable leatherette seats are snug and even characteristic cool cross stitching normally discovered on luxurious vehicles (take a look at the door playing cards too).
When it’s time to set off, merely choose D by way of a centrally positioned rotating knob, launch the parking brake and also you’re away. Accompanied by a distant whine, the Funky Cat is as swift as you’d anticipate for a comparatively light-weight EV.
Clean, snug, enjoyable, and straightforward to drive with mild steering, visibility is nice, whereas cabin refinement is admirable.
There’s additionally some first rate efficiency (it’s not laborious to spin the entrance wheels if you happen to ground it, particularly within the moist) and you may select from varied drive modes.
Stick with Eco for city driving, Regular on extra open roads and Sport for infrequent bursts of range-sapping run.
You may also choose single-pedal drive mode, which nearly eradicates the necessity for brakes – merely raise off and it slows down quick. Or you may select between three ranges of regen by way of the touchscreen.
Nonetheless, regardless of its appears to be like, the Funky Cat is not any match for the MINI Electrical within the dealing with division. Push it to the restrict in sooner corners and it turns into unsettled, however for on a regular basis driving it’s a pleasure.
So, so long as you don’t go anticipating scorching hatch driving dynamics, the Funky Cat received’t disappoint, whereas a real-world vary of 150 miles+ is means above the smaller MINI’s 100 miles.
Commonplace equipment on the Funky Cat Launch Version contains LED headlights, wi-fi telephone charging, adaptive cruise management and a 360-degree digicam system, a rear visitors cross alert and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
In reality, it’s so protected that Euro NCAP awarded it a most 5 stars in crash testing.
No automotive is ideal, and the Funky Cat is not any exception., as a result of it’s not with out its irritations.
For example, the indications are difficult to cancel. They require an extremely mild contact and it’s all too simple to activate the alternative sign.
We’re certain it received’t be such a difficulty after a couple of weeks of possession, nevertheless it’s not very best initially.
The assorted bongs and security warnings are barely overbearing too, whereas the infotainment display screen appears to be like cool, however could possibly be a lot bolder with a bigger typeface.
General, the Funky Cat is a powerful debut mannequin for GWM within the UK, and if it might hold its pricing aggressive, it could possibly be the cat’s whiskers.
Verdict: The all-new ORA Funky Cat is a welcome addition to the EV scene. Not solely does it stand out from the group, nevertheless it additionally affords practicality, enjoyable driving, good construct high quality, a helpful battery vary and a five-year limitless mileage guarantee.
GMM ORA UK
