Ora 03 (formerly Funky Cat)

AMKC

So GWM will launch this in the UK soon and who knows maybe here too.

It's the Ora Funky Cat.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-ora-funky-cat-touches-down-%C2%A330495-193-mile-range

sam t smith

Would prefer the Honda E.

This yoke looks too much like a Nissan Micra that a granny drives.

Miscreant

I won't hold my breath that we'll see it here. That being said though, I don't mind the look of it.

ted1

That’s no rival to the id3 who writes this stuff ..

Patser

Don't know, this could be one of those surprise big sellers, just like the MGs that are popping up everywhere in Dublin. Decent spec, a few grand cheaper than an id3 with similar size and range, and with Chinese EV production ramping up they could possibly have no supply issues (VW are having microchip issues, and parts were being supplied from Ukraine)

Few interesting details- has no 'normal' rear lights, instead they are all in the glass of rear door

https://ibb.co/grS98n3

Oh, and there's a rally kit available - no change to mechanics underneath yet but massive Sega Rally 95 vibe

https://ibb.co/g6LH8KX

liamog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119128184#Comment_119128184

They are very similar dimension wise ID.3 is 4,261mm x 1,552mm versus the Ora Cats 4,234mm x 1,596 mm. It's pretty much almost exactly the same size as an ID.3. In terms of size I can definitely see why journos are making the comparison

unkel

ID.3 is a budget car / econobox too.

carsfan2

Not sure if mentioned here before, but another new chinese car.

Ora Funky Cat €31,995 in Ireland - car and motoring news by CompleteCar.ie

Miscreant

Surprised it is that expensive after incentives TBH. There's an €8k delta between the standard and long range models. Charging that much of a difference for an extra ~100km of range is a bit rich.

There are better value cars on the market right now that already beat it on range and price.

I do like the look of it though.

liamog

It's an ID.3 sized hatch that puts it alongside the Leaf, ID.3, and MG4. I would of expected the price to be a little lower and closer to the MG4

AMKC

Seems expensive enough alright but they are very well equipped. I would have one if I was buying although it would be between that and the MG4.

unkel

I'd much rather the MG4. Which is €4500 cheaper too.

...Ghost...

It looks like a fiat 500 crashed into the @rse end of a mini cooper. It won't sell well and will appeal to hair dressers who can't afford them anyway.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706100#Comment_119706100

I really do not see that. I see a funky neat little car that will appeal to lots of people who want something different and the way the market is at the moment if these are marketed well they should sell.

Busman Paddy Lasty

Getting Porsche vibes off it, cuteness of a Porsche 356 but the arse of a Suzuki Swift.

liamog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706100#Comment_119706100

Do you really think this will be the first EV available to the Irish market that won't sell as many as they can supply?

eagerv

The only thing that would put me off is the name.😁

Otherwise looks well if a bit Micra/Juke, interior appears nice..

ted1

Th Great Wall company. No thanks

unkel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706513#Comment_119706513

Why, because it's Chinese? Where was your high end phone made again? 😉

They are coming and they are taking over. Most of the cars we in Europe will be buying in 10-15 years time will be Chinese.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706932#Comment_119706932

No issue with things being made in China. did I ever say that ?

i Simply wouldn’t rate The Great Wall

Old diesel

Its more competition on the market with a car that can be bought for 32 k....

Hopefully it will get more people into EVs on basis of those who like the styling deciding that *i need one of those*.

These are like BMW MINIs in around 2006 - they will sell on the "looks" and "gotta have one" factor.

Consequently I can see why Ora have priced this as they have.

I thought the BMW MINIs were ludicrously overpriced in 2006 and much more then this which has actual practical passenger space and 5 doors.

Won't be buying one though.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119707066#Comment_119707066

You can't judge a book unhill you have read it. The same way just because Great Wall have not launched anything great here before does not mean this will not be good. It has a full 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

Great Wall have been making great strides with there products just not being sold here again untill now. I think they will sell if they market them so people know anc here about them and give it a good warranty of at least 5 years.

Miscreant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119707672#Comment_119707672

Totally agree. These could be the greatest car ever to hit the market. They will definitely sell every last one of them. The market the way it is now, has people foaming at the mouth to get into an EV. The MG4 allocation is already sold out, for instance, and there isn't even a demo car in the country yet!

This Funky Cat will be out of stock shortly after they start to take orders for them, and buyers will probably have to wait until next summer to get their hands on the second batch. 🙂

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119707510#Comment_119707510

Same price as the 52kwh ID4 was 12 months ago.

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706412#Comment_119706412

I wouldn’t place any bets on it, but the pricing is pretty steep for a subjectively fugly EV in the small car category. If it comes to the market very soon, I’m sure demand will see it sell everything falling off the boat. If they haven’t opened their order books by Q3 next year, I say they will struggle to sell as supply constraints ease with other manufacturers.

liamog

Ora is pitching themselves as a premium instead of budget brand, they are going for style over cost. Heavy inspiration from Porsche and VW group vehicles. If they priced themselves too low they'd be seen as another Ssangyong and would be avoided at all costs.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119709074#Comment_119709074

Hey leave Ssangyong out if it. Nothing wrong with Ssangyongs.

In fact I seen one on my travels Friday and it was parked next to a Range Rover. The Ssangyong was wider and lower than the Range Rover and probably better to drive too.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119709864#Comment_119709864

Lower cause the suspension was shot , the metal is lighter as is the plastic interior 😂😂😂

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119710994#Comment_119710994

Lol. I doubt it. It looked fine to me.

Busman Paddy Lasty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119709074#Comment_119709074

Heavy inspiration is one way of describing it.....

Not "inspiration" or copying, just coincidence. China domestic market Punk Cat.

The Funky Cat in Europe is the Ora Good Cat in domestic market.

Edit: Beetle thing is Punk Cat

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119712280#Comment_119712280

Is that electric too. They should bring that here if it has 5 doors after all VW never made the Beetle with 5 doors so they could not claim anything. It would sell I'd say too.

liamog

Ora are a full electric brand. They seem pretty serious about making a range of models all with a retro funky style. They also have this which is scheduled to come to Europe.

AMKC

So for anyone thinking of looking at or getting one of these here is the specs,

https://ora-ev.ie/specifications

A bit strange that the Pro400+ does not get electric folding mirrors but gets more everywhere else. Maybe it gets cameras instead of mirrors or heated and electric mirrors but no mention of it.

A strange one that.

Patser

What are 'Dark tinted squares' on external features?

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119837657#Comment_119837657

No idea.

Patser

Probably mean windows

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706173#Comment_119706173

You're a girl though.

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119706932#Comment_119706932

Fully agree and the incumbent European/Japenese/Korean, etc manufacturers will only have themselves to blame for completely surrendering the budget/good value end of the market in favour of chasing the 'premium' end of the market. Only problem is that when everyone strives to supply 'premium' products, then nobody does. They just end up with over priced poor vfm cars.

Patser

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850009#Comment_119850009

You'll be delighted to hear the Irish Managing Director for Ora describing their product as....

That is not what Ora’s about, says Edmond Kelleher, IM Group’s Ora product specialist. “Cheap and affordable are not really words we’d associate with the Funky Cat. The goal of Great Wall Motors with this product is not to have a Dacia-style approach: this is a quality, premium product. It’s already been shown to some of the residual value and second-hand specialists in the UK, and the comment that came back from that, from those independent assessors, was that the car’s quality is on a par with the likes of Genesis [Hyundai’s luxury brand].

https://www.irishtimes.com/motors/2022/11/02/oras-funky-cat-is-coming-to-jazz-up-our-ev-driving/

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850099#Comment_119850099

Good marketing speak. Now let's hope they won't be priced accordingly.

Patser

Prices are out already.

€32,000 for lower spec 300pro

€40,000 for higher spec 400pro+

Different paints and interiors may add another €1,000 or €2,000 and probably delivery as well.

Much nicer interiors available than MG4 and with glass roof and sun roof, but fwd, less power and a poor boot, and still looking at about €6k more than similar MG4. They're in id4 and Cupra born price range. And if course once you go over €40k vrt starts to hurt

mailforkev

I will hold off full judgement until I see one in the metal but these are not good looking cars.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850530#Comment_119850530

and still looking at about €6k more than similar MG4. They're in id4 and Cupra born price range.

What's a basic MG4 cost 32k is it? and if does not even have a rear view camera as standard. Don't get me wrong I like the MG4 but it's kit's could be better.

The basic ora has a rear view camera as standard.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850632#Comment_119850632

The GT is nice looking but it does not look like it's coming here unfortunately.

unkel

MG4 is €27.5k

I'm with @Patser on this, I feel it's a risky move. Not sure if it's a good idea for a "new" Chinese brand to start competing with European and Korean incumbents which are perceived to be of better quality and have spent decades building up that reputation.

The open door is at the bottom of the market. Unless the Chinese can produce a car that is (slightly) lower priced than anything existing, yet better quality and with a significantly better standard spec. That's how the Japanese got foot on the ground in the 70s and 80s and the Koreans in the 00s and 10s

creedp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850530#Comment_119850530

Would like to see what €32k would give you in the flesh but for me €40k plus is too expensive for a new brand/model breaking into Europe, irrespective of the bullish marketing speak. At least the MG EVs are priced well and offer an affordable option into EVs. Have to say I don't like the look/style of the MG4/5 or ZS but they don't pretend to be anything but a good value option. Need to start somewhere. At the moment we don't need another overpriced EV with premium pretensions.

Patser

I think I'm just still holding out for the Rally version I posted on this thread back in May

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119851443#Comment_119851443

Good luck with that. You could be waiting a while. More chance of the GT version becoming availible here then that.

ELM327

I was interested by this but the price is almost 2X what it should be for a cheap chinese new entrant to the market.

AMKC

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119853658#Comment_119853658

Its electric and its the size of an ID3 it was never going to be any less than the price of any other car of its size. Even Dacia's have gone up in price. It it was tge size of a Rensult Zoe then maybe but not for this car. Besides maybe when you see one in the metal and test drive it it might surprise you.

pandabat

Not exactly glowing praise but the styling and safety may tip it for some:

https://youtu.be/d17XKLCyNUA