The GWM Ora has undergone a significant upgrade — including a change to where it is manufactured for Australia — with the new model debuting smarter battery tech, a (mostly) longer driving range and vehicle-to-load functionality in an effort to reverse a sales slide.
So far in 2025, just 399 examples of the Ora have found homes across Australia, down from 675 over the first seven months of 2024. The Ora’s chief rival, the BYD Dolphin, has found 1612 buyers.
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There are three models in the updated 2025 Ora line-up, all of them priced drive-away. The new Ora Lux is $35,990, the limited edition Ultra $37,990 and the flagship GT $38,990.
The old line-up was $35,990 Standard range, $36,990 Extended range and $43,990 GT (all pricing drive-away).
This update is aimed at boosting the Ora’s appeal, with significant battery changes joined by new colours and technology that the brand says has “equipped the ORA to compete”.
First is a trimming of the grades, with the now-Thai-built Ora (the outgoing model was made in China) now largely a two-model lineup, stepping from Lux to GT. There will be an Ultra grade at launch, but it will be limited to just 30 units.
The most significant change is the new battery, with a single 57.7kWh LFP unit now offered range-ride, in place of the 48kWh and 63kWh batteries across the outgoing model’s trim levels.
The new battery means a WLTP driving range of 400km in the new entry-level Lux trim, and 380kms in the flagship GT. That’s better than the old Standard Range model (310kms) but slightly worse than the outgoing Extended Range (420kms).
According to GWM, the new battery pack has undergone a barrage of tests, including crash, fire and puncture, and the Ora will retain the model’s five-star ANCAP safety rating.
More new tech includes V2L, rated at 6kW, allowing owners to tap the battery to power their devices, and the addition of a heat-pump climate control system which draws less power from the battery. Less excitingly, the USB ports have been swapped for USB-C this time out.
There’s also a new app with which owners can monitor charging, schedule charges for off-peak periods and set geo-fence alerts for other drivers.
Less new, though, is the rest of the powertrain, with the single front-mounted motor delivering 126kW and 250Nm, enough for a (slightly slower) sprint to 100km/h of 9.0 seconds.
GWM has updated its website with details of the new model, but warns production out of Thailand “limited and streamlined”.
GWM Ora Lux $35,990 drive-away
Exterior
- 18” alloy wheels
- Auto LED headlights with DRL
- Auto high beam
- LED taillights
- LED rear fog light
- Heated door mirrors
- Shark fin antenna
- Smart keyless entry
Interior
- Seat capacity – 5
- Faux leather & suede seats
- Driver 6-way electric adjustable seat
- Front passenger 4-way electric adjustable seat
- Climate control A/C
- Heat pump A/C
- Power windows – auto windows + anti pinch (all)
- Sun visors – vanity mirror
- Auto dimming rear view mirror
- Front 12v socket
- Cargo cover
Driver
- 10.25” digital instrument cluster
- 4-way steering column adjustment
- Auto electronic park brake + auto hold
- Micro fibre leather steering wheel
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Push-button start
Infotainment
- 10.25” touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Bluetooth®
- 6 speaker audio
- Telematics (GWM app)
- Front USB A & C outlets
- Rear USB A outlet
- Wireless phone charger
Safety
- 7 airbags
- 360° surround view camera
- Rear parking sensors
- Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- Follow me home lighting
- Automatic rain-sensing front wipers
- Hill start assist
- Adaptive & Intelligent cruise control
- Collision Mitigation (ESC, AEB, LKA, LDW, LCK, ELK)
- Front Collision Warning (FCW) (pedestrian + cyclist)
- Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
- Traffic sign recognition
- Traffic jam assist
- Intelligent turning
- Intelligent dodge
- Driver fatigue monitoring system
- Tyre repair kit
GWM Ultra $37,990 drive-away
In addition to Lux:
Exterior
- Auto fold exterior mirrors (memory)
- Panoramic sunroof (with blind)
- Kick sensing electric tailgate
Interior
- Driver memory seat x3
- Heated & ventilated & massaging front seats
- Sun visors – illuminated vanity mirror
Driver
- Front parking sensors
- Heated steering wheel
- Auto Parking Assist
GWM Ora GT $38,990 drive-away
In addition to Ultra:
Exterior
- 18” machined alloy wheel
- Red brake calliper
- GT body kit (front bumper, side skirt, rear spoiler, rear bumper)
Interior
- GT interior trim (red & black trims)
- GT stitching on head rest
Driver
