Great Wall Motors will make its Indian debut at the Auto Expo 2020 which opens on the 5th of February (for the media) and the company’s Twitter page has teased three vehicles which are likely to be presented at the show – two Haval SUVs and the Ora R1, touted as the world’s cheapest electric car.
GWM began selling EVs via e-commerce in China last year through the sub-brand ‘Ora’ (ORA refers to the combination of Open, Reliable and Alternative, and pays tribute to Swiss mathematician Euler) and has two models listed – the low-priced Ora R1 hatchback, which is one of the cheapest electric cars in the world and the Ora iQ sedan model which is equally intriguing. The third car from Ora, the R2 premium hatch, is in the concept phase.
Great Wall Ora R1 electric car
The ORA R1, measuring 3.5m long and 1.6m high with a wheelbase of 2.47m, is among the smallest electric cars in the world. However, the car is quite capable for its size. It uses a 33 kWh battery pack and a 35 kW/125 Nm output electric motor which gives it an impressive range of 351 km in the NEDC cycle. Using a DC fast charger, the battery can be charged from 5% to 80% in 40 minutes. The car is decently equipped with features like a large central touchscreen that controls everything from the air conditioning to the navigation and entertainment, and safety features like 4 airbags, TCS and ESC.
The Ora R1 was launched at a price of 59,800 RMB to 77,800 RMB (INR 6.1 lakh to INR 7.9 lakh). The video embedded below from Youtube user ‘Electromobiile360’ takes you through the features.
Great Wall Ora iQ electric car
Based on the ME electric platform of the R1 is the iQ, positioned as a new generation of pure electric compact cross-SUV. It is powered by a 54.35 kWh Farasis’ ternary lithium-ion battery and BorgWarner permanent magnet synchronous motor with 120 kW/280 Nm output, with a NEDC range of 401 km per charge. The overall design style of iQ, as per the company is “concise, fashionable and full of a sense of future.” The iQ is extremely well-equipped for its price with features such as full-LED headlights, cruise control, keyless entry, keyless start, leather seats, reverse camera and a 9-inch central control screen.
Ora says that the selling points of the car is its “big” back seat space, and the large trunk. The iQ measures 4445/1735/1567 mm (L/W/H) with a 2615 mm wheelbase.
The iQ is priced between 114,800 RMB to 119,800 RMB (INR 11.72 lakh to 12.23 lakh).
The video presented by Autohome below takes users through the exterior and interior of the iQ.
