VM Road Test Ora Funky Cat: Compact BEV with Bite and Optical Illusion

Maybe it's the googly eyes that create a mix of Mini and Porsche on the face of the Ora Funky Cat. In any case, people think of the compact BEV from the Great Wall empire as smaller than it turns out to be. With a length of 4.23 meters, the "funky cat" has a Golf-class format, being only three centimeters shorter than a VW ID.3 - and with a height of 1.60 meters, the cuddly electric car from the Middle Kingdom is also taller than a VW ID.3, which stands at 1.56 meters. So it is a kind of "optical illusion" and almost reminds one of Jim Knopf and the Schein-Riese, but in this case rather a "Schein-Zwerg": It appears small from a distance and becomes larger as one gets closer.

In terms of format, the Ora has nothing in common with the equally googly-eyed Mini SE, which is only 3.85 meters short and 1.43 meters flat, though technically, it's a different story. The next Mini SE generation will use the same GWM platform. So, the spatial efficiency of this interesting newcomer isn't that impressive, and one will have to keep waiting for a "real" electric premium small car. Or one can opt for the Fiat 500e, which is truly small. It's a pity, really, because in the increasingly deserted 4.20-meter compact segment, apart from the ID.3, Renault Megane, and the considerably cheaper Chinese MG4 compatriots, there are far too few BEV offerings. Compact Koreans like the Kia E-Niro or Hyundai Kona Electric are also, unfortunately, increasingly jumping on the growth bandwagon.

Not a small car in terms of price: About 40,000 euros

However, the compact BEV from GWM doesn’t want to be "small-car-like" in terms of price either. The base version, equipped with a 48 kWh LFP battery from CATL (45 kWh net capacity), is well outfitted with features like vegan leather, LED lights, a dual 10-inch cockpit, voice assistance, facial recognition, surround cameras, and a range of driver assistance systems from blind spot warning to ACC, traffic jam assistant, lane keeping, and cross-traffic assist. But it does start at 38,990 euros. The Cat with the 63 kWh lithium-ion battery (59 kWh net capacity), which also comes from fellow countrymen at CATL and weighs barely 40 kilos more, costs an additional 5,500 euros. But it also offers a range of 400 kilometers instead of 300, with the same consumption, by the way: 16.5 kWh/100 km WLTP. A value we narrowly undercut during the first test drive in the city, countryside, and moderate highway with 15.9 kWh/100 km. Around 18 kWh/100 km in mixed operation seems realistic.

Relatively light weight for good efficiency

The low curb weight of just over 1.6 tonnes forms the basis for the Funky Cat's efficiency. And the evidently economical electric motor, conventionally housed under the charming hood, along with the control electronics. Incidentally, you won't find a frunk here. However, the traditional layout, almost in the style of a multi-drive platform, could be a reason for the moderate space utilization: The cute cat's snout simply costs space.

Small trunk, sufficient space for four

The cat could certainly use a front trunk because with 228 to 858 liters of trunk space, it's still a few paw lengths away from the adult size of an ID.3. Additionally, the narrow compartment is accessible over a high edge and through a narrow hatch, and a step remains even when the seats are folded down. Practical is different. Here the Cat rather reminds one of the Mini. In the rear, four people can sit fairly comfortably—at the expense of trunk space—with decent leg and headroom. Centrally, a step bothers the potential fifth passenger. Overall, the space available is no comparison to the airiness of an ID.3. At least everyone has a nice view from the comfortable rear seats of the pretty two-tone interior made of vegan leather with a quilted look (standard) and through the glass sunroof, which can be opened via voice control.

The voice assistant is highly sensitive

The intelligent and reportedly very adaptive voice control is incidentally hypersensitive and responds to any type of "S" sounds, because its handlers have given it the individually selectable name Chris. "Hello Ora" also works, then basic commands are somewhat reasonably executed. However, the whole hype about voice control doesn't completely make sense (yet), even if with the latest update the knowledge of Wikipedia is supposed to have been unlocked. In any case, it's good that the "Funky Cat" also features nice, tactile rocker switches to control the ventilation, which is almost an exception nowadays. The steering wheel is also grippy, although the rim is a bit thin and the circumference large for an "optical mini." Speaking of acoustics: The tinny and hollow-sounding sound system, which lacks bite and dynamism (i.e., bass and sound fullness) is not at all fitting for the premium claim.

The precision of a Mini SE is missing from the Ora

The "Funky Cat" is still a ways off from the sharpness of a Mini when driving; the steering feel is somewhat artificial, yet it is easy to handle as the relatively light electric car nimbly speeds over country roads and joyfully tackles curves. The road holding is firm, safe, and well predictable. The start, especially in Sport mode from four driving levels, is spontaneous and assertive, and in eight seconds, which feel quicker, the cat leaps from zero to 100 km/h, although the PSM electric motor with 126 kW doesn't appear overly powerful on paper.

The 250 Nm of torque often tug at the front wheels, especially if you take a more dynamic approach exiting curves, giving a GTI feel. Even in Eco mode, the generally not highly differentiated driving programs still allow for brisk progress during kickdown, and in "Sport," the throttle response, in particular, improves. Fundamentally, the Ora Funky Cat indeed offers quite a bit of driving fun. Especially since the body is rigidly built, potholes are handled firmly yet solidly, and the "Cat" runs and rolls quietly. The suspension does not clatter. However, the eleven-meter turning circle is not sensational, as the front-wheel-drive concept demands its toll here as well.