Chinese automotive giant GWM has unveiled a new EV, the Ora 5 pure electric SUV with a starting price in its local market of 91,800 Yuan, which would convert to around $A20,000.
Ora, which is one of many sub-brands under the GWM umbrella, hosted a splashy launch event late Tuesday to unveil the Ora 5, its new electric SUV that is expected to compete with local models such as the BYD Yuan Plus and the Geely Galaxy E5.
Of particular note to Australia, however, is the possibility that the Ora 5 may be the electric model GWM promised in October it would be bringing to our shores next year.
The Ora 5 features two battery options, 45.3 kilowatt-hour (kWh) and 58.3 kWh, both of which are a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based battery which are expected to deliver CLTC ranges of 480 and 580 kilometres respectively.
A compact SUV, measuring 4.4-metres in length and seating five, the Ora 5 offers power of 150 kW and 201 hp and is built on a vehicle platform which the company says will be compatible with virtually all powertrains, including electric, gasoline, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The Ora 5 will be available in five trim levels depending on battery option and the addition of LiDAR sensors. Ora provided pricing for all five trim levels on their Weibo social media account for both the limited-time discount and the undiscounted guide price.
The discounted price requires a trade-in as well as limited-time special discounts but starts from 91,800 Yuan and steps up to 125,800 for the top-of-the-line model with the 58.3 kWh battery and LiDAR.
More relevantly for a potential launch in Australia, the guide price starts from 99,800 Yuan (around $A21,350 converted at time of writing) and similarly steps up to 133,800 Yuan ($A28,500 converted) for the 58.3kWh LiDAR model.
The launch photos available on Ora’s Weibo account also suggest that there will soon be a HEV model available, though the BEV model is immediately available in China.
Author’s note: Credit to CnEVPost for providing clarifying information to supplement Ora’s Chinese-language publicity material.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
