GWM’s new Ora 03 is SA’s cheapest battery-electric vehicle, with a starting price of under R700 000, which significantly undercuts its main rival – the Mini Cooper SE.

In May 2023, Haval Motors South Africa announced pricing bookends for the upcoming GWM ORA range, effectively positioning its battery-powered, front-driven compact city car as the country’s cheapest (full-size) fully electric vehicle.

For the record, GWM’s Ora 03 – which is known as the Good Cat or Funky Cat in some markets – is set to start at R686 950 (undercutting the R783 500 Mini Cooper SE Hatch 3-door), while the range-topping version will be priced at R835 950. The local line-up will comprise 4 derivatives, but our freshly unearthed information suggests the range will start with a lower-output powertrain than earlier reported.

The Ora 03 line-up kicks off with the 300 Super Lux, which features peak outputs of 105 kW and 210 Nm and employs a 48-kWh battery pack and – based on the naming convention – features a claimed single-charge range of around 300 km.

See the GWM’s full Ora range here!

A more aggressively styled GT model tops the range.

Next up is the Ora 03 400 Super Luxury, which will feature the same 105 kW/210 Nm maximum outputs as the base version, though with a larger 63 kWh battery pack (resulting in a claimed range of around 400 km).

For those wanting additional power, the Ora 400 Ultra Luxury is armed with a 126 kW and 250 Nm powertrain, backed up by a 63 kWh battery pack.

Finally, the 400 GT Ultra Luxury slots in at the very summit of the line-up, using a 126 kW/250 Nm electric motor linked to the same 63 kWh battery pack as the Ultra Luxury.

A similar circa-400 km claimed range is expected from the GT, while recharging the battery from 10% to 80% using an 80 kW DC fast-charger will take 41 minutes, according to Haval Motors SA. In addition to its added oomph, the GT boasts more aggressive exterior styling and an extra smattering of kit.

We are currently at the local launch so look out for more information very soon! In the meantime, make sure to read our international launch review of this compact electric car, which we first drove in Australia…

Also, note that the Ora 300 Super Luxury is a finalist in the Electric Vehicle category of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards!

How much will the GWM Ora cost in South Africa?

Ora 03 300 Super Luxury – R686 950

Ora 03 400 Super Luxury – R775 950

Ora 03 400 Ultra Luxury – R805 950

Ora 03 GT Ultra luxury – R835 950

Browse electric cars for sale on Cars.co.za!

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