GWM Ora Cat crossover set for early 2026 UK arrival
Great Wall Motors – or GWM – is preparing a crossover version of its all-electric Ora 03 hatchback, according to a new filing with the Chinese Ministry for Industry and Technology.
Like the Ora 03 hatch, the new crossover – known purely as the Ora Cat on the Chinese domestic market – gets several retro design cues such as round headlights and fuller rounded, soft body shapes not dissimilar to those found on the Fiat 600e.
Befitting its crossover positioning, the Ora Cat comes with a higher ride height, roof bars, plus a unique clamshell tailgate. Like the Ora 03, its tail lights are built into the lower rear windows.
It is significantly bigger than its sibling, measuring 4.5 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.6 metres tall. For reference, the regular Ora 03 has a 4.2 metres length, a 1.8 metre width, and stands at a comparable 1.6 metres tall.
GWM has yet to confirm the technical details of the Ora Cat crossover, but the filing suggests that it will come with a 201bhp electric motor paired with a lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) battery from GWM subsidiary, Honeycomb Energy. The by-wire braking and energy system is also domestic, and is supplied by Chinese firm, Feigetech.
In China, the Ora Cat is offered with several roof-mounted lidar sensors, additional cameras, and side radar sensors to support its driver aids. At home, the Ora Cat crossover will join the Good Cat, the Lightning Cat, and the Ballet Cat in GWM’s line-up.
It should come as little surprise that the Ora Cat’s crossover’s name is expected to be changed for the UK market when it is scheduled to arrive at the start of 2026. Its all-electric rivals look set to include the Ford Puma Gen-E, the Renault 4, the Volvo EX30, and the Stellantis trio of the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, the Jeep Avenger, and the Peugeot e-2008.
