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Ora is a new electric vehicle brand developed by Great Wall Motors, a Chinese automotive conglomerate that sells vehicles in Nepal under the GWM and Haval brands. Ora, which was founded in 2018, stands for Open, Reliable, and Alternative. The Ora Good Cat is the fourth model in the Ora lineup, following the iQ and Black Cat in 2018, and the White Cat in 2020, all of which were sold in China.
According to reports, the Good Cat, like the Black Cat and White Cat that came before it, got their names from a capitalism comment made by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping: "No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat," in 1960.
The parameters for our judgement of the Ora Good Cat are going to be slightly more stringent.
Exterior
We are off to a good start. The Good Cat is good-looking. Reckon it holds some resemblance to a Porsche? It isn’t a complete coincidence since it is the former Porsche designer Emanuel Derta who’s behind the wheels of the design team for the Good Cat. The modern-retro approach has been well executed throughout the car.
The front fascia is the strongest side in terms of aesthetic design for the Good Cat. The amalgamation of the prominent curves works well to accentuate the stature of Good Cat. The oval LED headlamps with DRLs sit on the haunches that flank the bonnet. Chrome has been tastefully used on the headlights and the bumper. A slim honey chrome grille sits on the bumper which houses the active air intake. Keen eyes will notice the parking sensors that have been seamlessly integrated under the headlights.
The profile carries the curved design language well, providing a silhouette unique to the Good Cat. The dual-tone colors are attractive and help give structure to the profile. The 18-inch wheels fill out the wheel arches well. While the rim design would have looked very under-styled in any other vehicle, the chunky 5-spoke design suits the style of the Good Cat. Slim plastic claddings on the bottom also merge well with the rest of the car.
One point of concern is the ground clearance or lack thereof. At 145mm, the low ground clearance did mandate some careful precision when navigating protruding road undulations.
Around the back, the Good Cat has a more muted design language. LED taillights have been integrated into the rear windscreen and run across the length of it. The spoiler adds a sporty element and also gets a high-mounted stop lamp. Although the slim indicators and tail light look elegant, cars driving behind the Good Cat might have trouble seeing it when driving in close proximity.
Interior
Step inside the cabin of the Good Cat and you can’t help but liken the interiors to concept cars of the mid-80s. The retro-modern theme is evident in the elegantly minimal layout of the cabin. The dual color tone looks vivid, however, the white hue is going to be difficult to keep clean. The fabric used throughout the interior is decent, especially on the dash and touchpoints.
You get suede leatherette on the dash and synthetic leather on the seats. Harder plastic can be found on lower segments of the interior. The dual-widescreen setup, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 7-inch digital instrument display, complements the interior with its premium-like design. Not only is the system responsive and easy to use, but it also serves as one of the best camera displays on the market.
There is plenty more to love about the interiors. The aircraft-inspired switches are a classy touch, and the air-con vents that expand the entire length of the dash look sophisticated. The seats are very comfortable and provide decent support. Rear passengers can enjoy the ample legroom and headroom, even with 3 people sitting abreast. The massive sunroof floods the cabin with light. Top-spec comes with a driver memory seat as well.
Performance
Don’t waste your time looking for a keyhole or a push start. There isn’t one. All you have to do to get the Good Cat going is depress the brake and clutch. That’s it. You will need to have the keys in close proximity though.
As expected from an electric motor, the Ora Good Cat sprints off the mark with enthusiasm. You get an option of 48kWh battery capacity (Tech and Pro variants) or a 63kWh battery (Ultra Variant) that has a claimed range of 400km and 500km respectively. The 63kWh battery has a ternary lithium battery instead of a lithium-ion phosphate battery, ternary material has a lower molecular weight under the same number of lithium ions, so its specific capacity is higher than that of iron lithium, and the energy density of the battery is also higher.
Power output is the same throughout the range of variants with a maximum power of 143PS and maximum torque of 210Nm. Unleash your right foot and the Good Cat pounces into action. It is not the most agile of machines, though, and it isn’t eager to nip in and out of traffic. However, it does enjoy finding its strive and cruising effortlessly on open roads.
You get to choose from 3 modes: eco, normal, sport, and auto. The switch to toggle through the modes though is placed in a slightly peculiar location, low on the dashboard right next to your right knee. Getting used to the position of the button does take some time.
The Ora Good Cat comes with an extensive list of adaptive driver assistance system that improves driving quality and safety. Some of the features include Auto Emergency Braking + Intersection, Intelligent Parking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Intelligent Turning, Wisdom Dodge System (a system that detects and avoids approaching large vehicles such as a truck, keeping a distance while approaching, and automatically returns to the original lane when driving through for overtaking large vehicles safer), and plenty more.
Verdict
The Ora Good Cat brings a lot to the table. It is a superbly designed vehicle and it easily stands out in traffic. The sophisticated curves and bulges sculpt a one-of-a-kind silhouette that we have come to love. We can pretty much guarantee that it is going to be popular.
Inside, the Good Cat comes with a host of fancy features. Cocooned in the comforts of a retro-modern interior, we enjoyed the entirety of the time spent in the cabin. Driving the Good Cat was a lot of fun as well, it is everything you expect to get from an electric vehicle.
A claimed range of 400kms (500kms on the top variant) should be plenty for the everyday commute. It should also be enough to take you on moderately long journeys as well. You will not run the risk of disappearing into the crowd when you’re driving the Ora Good Cat. You might have trouble navigating the speed bumps and parking lots due to its low ground clearance.
Nevertheless, the Ora Good Cat has plenty to offer. It is far more than a run-of-the-mill electric car. It is chockfull of features, stunning to look at, and provides a decent range. If the company can provide proper aftersales facilities, the Ora Good Cat would be a fun car to own. However, it is far from a bargain. Ownership of this stunning will set you back Rs.39,99,000 - 47,99,000.
