GWM Ora Cat Breaks Cover as Brand’s First New Model Since 2022

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GWM Ora Cat Breaks Cover as Brand’s First New Model Since 2022

After a long, quiet time, Great Wall Motor’s electric sub-brand Ora is back with something new. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has revealed details of the brand’s latest SUV, the Ora Cat – the first all-new model to wear the Ora badge since 2022.

Ora, established in 2018 under Great Wall Motor, quickly made a name for itself with quirky, affordable EVs. But a string of missteps left the brand struggling. The launch of the Black Cat and White Cat proved unprofitable, while ventures like the Ole Sharing service drained resources. Things didn’t improve in 2022 when Ora introduced the Ballet Cat, styled like a modern Beetle, and the Lightning Cat (also called Ora 07), which borrowed its look from the Porsche Panamera. Both landed in small, niche markets and did little to help sales.

Since then, Ora has been unusually quiet. Between January and August 2025, sales dwindled to just 14,781 units in China, according to China EV DataTracker. The slump pushed Great Wall Motor to rethink its strategy. This summer, the company announced plans to reignite the brand with four new models. The Ora Cat is the first step in that comeback.

According to CarNewsChina, the MIIT listing suggests the SUV will be called Ora Cat in China, but alternative names such as Ora 5 and Ora i5 were also submitted. If history is any guide, the Cat badge will remain for the domestic market, while international models are expected to adopt a more conventional naming scheme to match Ora’s global line-up. Positioned between the Ora 03 hatchback (Good Cat) and the larger Ora 07 fastback, the new SUV plugs a gap in the line-up.

Design-wise, the Ora Cat carries forward the familiar cute styling of the Good Cat. Round headlights, a closed-off front fascia with a trapezoid air intake, short overhangs, and a single LED taillight strip define its look. Roof rails, a charging port tucked into the front fender, and 18-inch wheels add practicality, while options include LiDAR sensors for more advanced driver-assist features.

Under the skin, the Ora Cat is powered by a single electric motor supplied by Hycet, another Great Wall subsidiary. It delivers 201hp and is paired with an LFP battery pack from SVOLT, though capacity figures remain under wraps. Top speed is rated at 170km/h, which keeps it in line with its city-friendly focus.

With the Ora Cat, Great Wall is clearly signalling that the brand is back in the game. After years of patchy launches and declining sales, this SUV could be the model that helps Ora find its footing again – both in China and abroad.