You’d be forgiven for not knowing about the GWM Ora 03, given it’s a small Chinese EV. And those that do probably know it as an Ora Funky Cat, because that was a much more interesting name for Great Wall to use. Whatever, it’s now freshly revised for 2025, a little more affordable than before - prices from £24,995 - and with a new GT range-topper that is at least moderately interesting.
For £32,995, or just a few hundred quid less than an Alpina A290, the 03 GT is powered by a 63kWh battery with 170hp, so just 10hp behind the French fancy. Range is up to 261 miles, and charging is up to 67kW DC; for the Alpine, those figures are 236 miles and 100kW DC, with a slightly smaller 52kWh battery. On paper, they’re broadly comparable, though the GT does appear more of a cosmetic exercise than Alpine’s more thorough overhaul of the 5 E-Tech to make an A290.
Nevertheless, those who like the look of the standard Funky Ca… Ora 03 should at least enjoy the GT remake. It gets a model-specific bodykit (bumpers, rear spoiler, arch extensions), 18-inch wheels, red calipers and a host of similarly coloured accents inside. The front seats massage and ventilate. Oh yes, and there’s launch control for the GT, which we’ll assume is a first for the 03, for when scrabbling away from the traffic light grand prix. A standard heat pump will help the battery on those chilly winter mornings; a pano roof that’s also included will be nice when the sun comes out.
Like we said, a fairly modest rework of a small electric car, but everyone has to start somewhere. Once upon a time - as in a decade ago - fast Kias were cars like the Cee’d GT, and now look. As with all GWM Ora 03s, the GT comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile one for the battery. Pre orders are open from today, with deliveries from March.
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