GWM Ora 5 SUV in China – BYD Atto 3, Proton eMas 7 rival; up to 580 km CLTC range, DeepSeek, fr RM64k

The GWM Ora 5, the Chinese carmaker’s first all-new EV in three years, has finally been launched in China. The C-segment rival to the BYD Atto 3 and Geely EX5 (known to you and me as the Proton eMas 7) gives the company’s sub-brand a vital shot in the arm and an entry into the burgeoning electric SUV segment.

With the launch comes full specifications – GWM has confirmed that the Ora 5 is powered by a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 260 Nm of torque, delivering a top speed of 170 km/h. This motor is juiced by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery produced by subsidiary Svolt, with 45.3 kWh and 58.3 kWh capacities delivering a range of 480 km and 580 km respectively. This is on China’s optimistic CLTC cycle, so expect a WLTP range of around 390 km to 470 km.

Both batteries will DC fast charge from 30 to 80% in 20 minutes and accept 6.6 kW of AC charging; a full charge takes 8.5 hours for the standard battery and 10.5 hours for the larger one. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function delivering an impressive 6 kW of power.

Measuring 4,471 mm long, 1,833 mm wide and 1,641 mm tall, the Ora 5 slots in between the Atto 3 (4,455 mm long) and the EX5 (4,615 mm long), while its 2,720 mm wheelbase is identical to the BYD’s and 30 mm shorter than the EX5’s. It’s all much of a muchness, in other words.

Where the Ora 5 tries to differentiate itself from its competition is in its cutesy look, channelling the Good Cat (albeit not quite as twee and, to these eyes, not as successful). You still get the “water droplet” round headlights sitting atop rounded fenders, along with full-width taillights embedded into the rear windscreen, said to be inspired by the light of dawn.

The front end features the revised bumper design that made its debut on the facelifted Good Cat, with vertical corner air inlets that flank a large, wide downturned intake with an active shutter. You also get the obligatory roof rails and a choice of two 18-inch alloy wheels designs inspired by either flowers or four-leaf clovers.

Inside, the Ora 5 again draws plenty from the Good Cat, continuing to use fluid shapes and featuring MINI-style toggle switches. The pill-shaped dashboard features full-width air vents, “dark gold” accents and embedded ambient lighting that extends into the doors. Speaking of which, the door cards incorporate speaker grilles with a snowflake-like design.

As per the facelifted Good Cat, the Ora 5 features twin freestanding displays – a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. They run on the latest version of GWM’s Coffee OS, now with DeepSeek generative AI integration. There’s also a 50-watt Qi wireless charger.

Other functions include a one-touch reclining passenger seat with a built-in ottoman and 33 separate storage spaces, including a 3.2 litre heated and cooled compartment for the rear passengers. The Ora 5 is also being touted as a pet-friendly car, with a waterproof rear bench and large footwells claimed to be able to fit standard cat carriers – replete with recesses to prevent sliding.

All but the base model come with six airbags and a suite of driver assists that include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centring assist; the standard variant strangely only gets low-speed parking AEB. Both battery options can be had with a lidar sensor that adds highly-automated city and highway driving and park assist, plus a centre airbag.

Pre-order prices for the Ora 5 range from 109,800 yuan (RM64,100) to 129,800 yuan (RM75,800), with the lidar models costing 132,800 yuan (RM77,600) with the 45.3 kWh battery and 142,800 yuan (RM88,400) for the 58.3 kWh variant. Would you like to see the GWM Ora 5 in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments.

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