China’s Controversial Porsche Lookalike Hits the Market

ORIGINAL LINK : https://newautopost.co.kr/spy-shot/article/84155/

Chinese brand Ora

Lineup expansion expected

Catching eyes with its Porsche-like design

Chinese automaker GWM (Great Wall Motor) announced that it will launch a new SUV model under its brand, Ora.

It is scheduled to be launched as an electric hatchback, slightly larger than a crossover. Most of the vehicles under the Ora brand were criticized for their appearance, which at first glance was reminiscent of the Porsche 911.

The Ora brand, somewhat famous in developing countries such as Southeast Asia, does not perform well in the European market. The Ora Funky Cat model launched in 2022 was humiliating, with only 9,000 units sold. However, this time, it is said that they will expand their lineup and advance into various markets. What does it look like?

Plans to add subcompact electric SUV

Using design characteristics

First, GWM announced that it would be an electric SUV with the same numerical model name as the existing hatchback O3 and sedan O7 to secure more competitiveness in the European market. When the lineup is expanded with new vehicles, GWM’s Ora will enter the European market with three lineups: a subcompact SUV, hatchback, and sedan.

The automaker also revealed that it would target a niche market by focusing on design aspects rather than performance. They said they would use Ora’s unique design philosophy and maximize its benefits. They will establish new design houses in Munich and Turin and apply European sensibility to Chinese vehicles. They claimed that their biggest task was to design an SUV in their way.

All models share the same platform

Decent performance, Porsche copycat

Another outstanding feature is that they are all manufactured using GWM’s LEMON platform. More rational and efficient production is expected to be achieved by sharing the same platform. In the case of the powertrain, it is likely to be borrowed from the new model of Ora 07, which is scheduled to be launched in the UK in the summer of 2024 and is expected to be equipped with a 64 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery or an 83 kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery. The maximum driving range is expected to be approximately 560 km (348 miles).

Like the Ora 07, it is based on four-wheel drive and is expected to produce an output of about 402 horsepower based on the high-performance GT model and take about 4.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h (62 mph). Although it has excellent performance, the first impression that it resembles a Porsche is so similar that even if we try to look at it without prejudice, we can’t help it. In particular, the rear part of Ora 07 can be seen as almost identical to the first generation of Porsche’s Panamera.

Not Good reviews in China

GWM’s aggressive push to enter the European market is unsurprising, as other Chinese brands have seen it frequently. However, for GWM’s Ora brand to succeed, more than one problem needs to be solved, such as lowering local prices, improving quality, and improving design.