Ora Funky Cat

Distinctive Chinese EV jumps into the UK’s family market. Will it land on its feet? It’s a common playbook for emerging car manufacturers: launch with a product that might be a long way from the establishment on quality but it’s so keenly priced that it’s impossible to ignore. Then gradually ramp up the quality, build development know-how over multiple decades and gain consumer acceptance.The latest entrant to the UK car market is a little more impatient. The Ora Funky Cat isn’t playing the same value game as its MG 4 EV compatriot. The car was originally announced with a very attractive price, but Ora’s UK sales director told Autocar: “Once we saw the car and realised how high-quality the interior was, and really understood the personality of it, we realised we’ve got something really quite special and therefore we can be quite targeted in the market where it’s going to be.”It does still undercut medium EVs like the Volkswagen ID 3 and Kia Niro EV, but there is no hiding from established competition like the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, the Fiat 500 or, indeed, the MG 4. It’s a bold strategy for an unknown brand.The company behind the Ora Funky Cat is Great Wall Motors and it isn’t entirely new to the UK. It once sold the Great Wall Steed pick-up truck here, but it is probably hoping that vehicle – and its two-star review – has long since been forgotten. It takes only a brief look at the Funky Cat to know that it is in an entirely different league from what the Chinese car industry could muster 10 years ago. Today, ‘new energy vehicles’ – as EVs are called over there – have become a specialty of Chinese manufacturers, so could Ora follow MG to be a smash hit in Europe?Range at a glanceThe Funky Cat launches with just one powertrain and one trim, the First Edition. In time, it is likely to be joined by a longer-range version with a 61kWh battery and a sportier GT model. In China, there is a base model with less power, but it’s unlikely to be offered here.First Edition is reasonably well equipped but lacks features like heated seats, matrix LED lights and a panoramic roof. Some of those ought to make it onto the options list at some point.VersionPower48kWh169bhp