Great Wall Motors arrives in Europe with ORA, a brand new to the Old Continent with which the Chinese group, after trying its hand at models focused mainly on attractive prices, intends to ride the ecological transition by offering low-emission cars with modern features and refined design aesthetics. The ORA range is comprised entirely of electric vehicles, based on the ME platform which is designed exclusively for battery-powered cars. At the 2021 Munich Motor Show, the Baoding-based manufacturer unveiled the CAT 01, a technology-rich 4.25-metre-long compact hatchback with a rounded profile. Aesthetically, the ORA CAT 01 has soft lines which also characterise the brand’s other models and reinforce a very recognisable family style, combining a retro look with modern features.
Up front, the round full LED headlights with circular daytime running lights are the most striking design element, while the rear light clusters are mounted high up so as to virtually disappear into the rear window. They form a single horizontal strip of light extending right across the width of the car. The interior is well thought-out in terms of design and materials, with widespread use of “vegan leather”. The retro/modern aesthetic carries through in the driver’s cockpit. Clean surfaces, two-tone pastel upholstery, and chrome controls hark back to the past, while the dual-display digital instrumentation and infotainment system panel is firmly futuristic.
The ORA CAT 01 offers 5G connectivity, over-the-air updates, and compatibility with major audio streaming apps. A camera mounted on the A-pillar even provides facial recognition capability. The system identifies who is sitting in the driver’s seat and pre-sets all in-vehicle systems according to each driver’s preferences. Powering the ORA CAT 01, which has Level 2 autonomous driving, is a front-mounted motor which puts out approximately 180 hp. Two battery sizes are available, giving the vehicle a range of 300 to 400 km. The car will go on sale in Germany later this year and then in other EU markets, including Italy, in 2022.
