Revealed in February, Great Wall Motors (GWM) has confirmed that the relaunch of the Ora brand in South Africa will be spearheaded by the new Ora 05.

The Citizen reports that, until now an electric-only vehicle division, the first combustion-engined Ora will go on sale later this year, either alongside or directly replacing the electric Ora 03.

Set to be sold once again as the GWM Ora instead of simply Ora as in China, the 05 is an entirely different model from the 03, which carries the Ora Good Cat nomenclature in China.

Billed as a crossover instead of a hatch, the Ora 05 comes in either hybrid or conventional combustion engine forms, with the basis being GWM’s in-house developed 1.5-litre engine.

In the combustion model, the turbocharged unit develops 135kW, while in the self-charging hybrid, which carries the HEV designation, the setup produces 115kW.

The standard transmission in the former is a seven-speed dual-clutch, while a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission serves the latter.

Although offered with an electric powertrain in China, this option is unlikely to be offered again now that hybrid and conventional combustion options are available.

Fundamentals

Based on market specification from Thailand, where sales commenced last month, the Ora 05’s specifications are:

• Length: 4 471mm
• Wheelbase: 2 720mm
• Height: 1 641mm
• Width: 1 833mm
• Ground clearance: 175mm

Features

Notable features, based on trim level, include:

• LED headlights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Auto folding electric mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Ventilated and electric front seats
• Ambient lighting
• Dual-zone climate control
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• Six or nine-speaker sound system
• Electric tailgate
• 14.6-inch infotainment system
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Glass panoramic roof
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Cooled glovebox

Safety and driver assistance features include:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure monitor
• Six airbags
• 360-degree camera system
• Hill Start Assist
• Lane Change Assist
• Driver Attention Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Lane Departure Warning
• Front and Rear Cross Traffic Assist
• Reverse Automatic Braking

Launched locally three years ago, the Ora 03 had been the country’s most affordable EV at R686 950, an accolade which now belongs to the BYD Dolphin Surf priced at R341 900.

In total, Ora 03 sales have amounted to 83 units since launch, with some months failing to register any uptake.

As of Tuesday, the Ora 03 is still listed on GWM South Africa’s website in the same four-model line-up it launched with in 2023: 300 Luxury, 400 Super Luxury, 400 Ultra Luxury and 400 GT Ultra Luxury.

While outputs are pegged at 126kW/250Nm, the 300 uses a 48kWh battery pack and the trio of 400s a 63kWh unit. Respective ranges are 310km and 420km.

Although shown at its annual dealer prize giving conference last month, no official details pertaining to the Ora 05 going on sale were divulged.

It is only listed on GWM South Africa’s website as ‘coming soon’, with clearer details expected to be announced in due course.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.