The new GWM Ora is edging closer and closer to its South African launch with its starting price and model line-up already having been revealed.
At launch, the battery-powered hatchback will be available in four trims from a starting price of R686,950 for the base Ora 300 Super Luxury.
This makes the new GWM the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) from a major manufacturer in South Africa, the previous title holder of this accolade being from another Chinese nameplate in the form of the recently-launched BYD Atto 3.
In 300 guise, the Ora is equipped with a 48kWh battery pack that lends it a driving range of 310km, powering a front-mounted electric motor pushing out 126kW and 250Nm.
Charging from 10-80% at an 80kW DC fast-charging station then sees a 10-80% charge achieved in around 41 minutes, and on an 11kW AC home charger, it does the same in five hours and 30 minutes.
As the Ora hasn’t officially launched in South Africa yet, its spec sheet is still unknown, with the Australian models giving us a good barometer of what to expect when the EV eventually reaches local roads.
Down under, the entry-level GWM comes with faux leather upholstery, electric front seats, a 10.25-inch driver’s display, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a wireless charger, keyless entry and start, automatic LED lights, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and centering, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The petrol-powered competitors
The petrol-powered hatchbacks that you can buy for the same price as a new GWM Ora, and how they compare to the EV, are detailed below.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Price
| Rank | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI | R664,600 |
| 2. | GWM Ora 300 Super Luxury | R686,950 |
| 3. | BMW 118i | R691,072 |
| 4. | Mini John Cooper Works | R691,438 |
Power
| Rank | Model | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mini John Cooper Works | 170kW/320Nm |
| 2. | GWM Ora 300 Super Luxury | 126kW/250Nm |
| 3. | Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI | 110kW/250Nm |
| 4. | BMW 118i | 103kW/220Nm |
Acceleration
| Rank | Model | 0-100km/h |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mini John Cooper Works | 6.1 seconds |
| 2. | Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI | 8.2 seconds |
| 3. | GWM Ora 300 Super Luxury | 8.4 seconds |
| 4. | BMW 118i | 8.5 seconds |
Range and consumption
| Rank | Model | Range (consumption) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mini John Cooper Works | 759km (6.3l/100km) |
| 2. | BMW 118i | 712km (5.9l/100km) |
| 3. | Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI | 645km (6.2l/100km) |
| 4. | GWM Ora 300 Super Luxury | 310km (15.5kWh/100km) |
Refill/Recharging costs
| Rank | Model | Refill/Charging costs (tank/battery size) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | GWM Ora 300 Super Luxury | R128 (48kWh) |
| 2. | Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI | R1,027 (40l) |
| 3. | BMW 118i | R1,079 (42l) |
| 4. | Mini John Cooper Works | R1,130 (44l) |
*Prices for petrol 95 at inland rates and Johannesburg residential electricity rates for households using between 501-1,000kWh per month.
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