The GWM Ora 03 Used to Be Called the Funky Cat, and Frankly That Explains a Lot
All three reviews can't resist mentioning the name change: launched as the "Ora Funky Cat" in 2023, it was quietly rebranded to the far blander "GWM Ora 03" after barely 1,000 UK sales — and reviewers seem to genuinely miss the personality that went with the old name.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Rebrand That Solved the Wrong Problem
Sometimes a strange name really is holding a car back. Reviewers keep suggesting the actual issues here — driving dynamics, boot space, charging speed — were never really about what the car was called, making the rebrand feel like a fix aimed at the wrong target.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Electric hatchback (small SUV-sized) |
|---|---|
| Battery options | 48kWh (Pure, 193 miles) or 63kWh (Pro/GT, 260 miles) |
| Power | 169bhp, front-wheel drive |
| 0–62mph | Just over 8 seconds |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited mileage; 8 years/100,000 miles on the battery |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear noted the Ora 03 shares underlying joint-venture DNA with BMW, related distantly to the new Mini Cooper Electric, though found the driving experience considerably less polished than that relation. They rated the retro-inspired styling as likely to win genuine fans, but were blunt that "the substance just isn't there at the moment," citing small luggage space and initially clunky infotainment as real, unresolved shortcomings.
What Car?
What Car? tested the entry Pure version's winter range at just 130 miles against a 193-mile official claim, beating only the Mini Cooper Electric among direct rivals and falling well short of the Cupra Born and MG4 Long Range. They found the driving position genuinely well judged, lining the driver up with the pedals and wheel better than the offset MG4, though flagged poor traction off the line, especially in cold or damp conditions, as a persistent complaint across trims.
🎬 Watch: Carwow's GWM Ora 03 review (same video, watch above ↗)
Autocar
Autocar's road test of the GT version found it looks every inch a hot hatch but isn't remotely tuned like one, with the sporty trim amounting to a cosmetic package only — no mechanical changes to the motor, battery or suspension whatsoever. They rated the maximum 64kW charging speed as genuinely behind rivals like the Citroën ë-C3 and Fiat Grande Panda, and found Apple CarPlay malfunctioned to the point of uselessness on their test car despite finally being added as standard.
Trims & Engines at a Glance
All three trims share the same 169bhp motor — GT badging on the range-topper buys extra equipment rather than any bump in power.
| Derivative | Engine | Power | Transmission | Body | 0–62mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ora 03 Pure (48kWh) | Single electric motor, FWD | 169bhp | Single-speed automatic | Hatchback | 8.3s |
| Ora 03 Pro / GT (63kWh) | Single electric motor, FWD | 169bhp | Single-speed automatic | Hatchback | 8.2s |
Trim walk runs Pure → Pro → GT, with GT adding a panoramic roof, heat pump and bespoke alloys rather than more power. A handful of exterior colours are offered. Check GWM's UK configurator for current pricing.
Strengths
- Distinctive, charismatic retro styling
- Genuinely well-judged driving position
- Strong five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
- Upmarket-feeling cabin materials for the price
Weak points
- Real-world winter range trails key rivals significantly
- Slow maximum charging speed versus the class
- Small boot space relative to the car's overall footprint
- GT trim adds no genuine mechanical improvement, only cosmetics
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuinely distinctive styling and don't need class-leading range or charging speed. Skip the GT unless you specifically want the cosmetic changes — every review agrees it drives identically to the cheaper Pro.
Watch the Reviews
GWM Ora 03 review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)