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GWM Ora 03 GT is a characterful compact EV

A price drop and the axing of the 'Funky Cat' name are among other noteworthy changes to this characterful electric supermini, which features quirky retro-inspired looks. Previously costing £31,995, the well-equipped baseline model is now priced from £24,995. The entry-level Pure variant has a 48kWh battery pack with a claimed 192-mile range. It comes fully loaded with equipment including a 10.25-inch infotainment screen, a wireless phone charger with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, a rear parking camera and rear parking sensors. The vehicle pictured beneath a spectacular sky Move up to the mid-level Pro at £28,995 and the car gets a larger 63kWh battery pack and electric motor that produces a total of 169bhp and 250Nm of torque, with a claimed 263 miles on a charge. This grade also adds leatherette heated front seats, auto parking assist and front parking sensors. GWM has also added a spicier and sportier GT model to its 03 line-up, tested here. With prices starting at £32,995, this specification retains the same 63kWh battery pack and electric motor as in the former, and comes with an efficiency-boosting heat pump. With the exception of the addition of launch control, the changes to the GT are more aesthetic than mechanical. The Ora 3 has a quirky retro-inspired look To be fair, the model-specific bodykit does look really good and makes the GT version stand out from the crowd. You get red brake calipers, more prominent bumpers, 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with red detailing, wheel arch extensions, a rear roof spoiler, ventilated and massaging front seats with red seat belts and panoramic glass roof. Size-wise, the 03 is a bit deceptive because it looks like a supermini from the outside but feels more like a family hatchback once you're inside. That interior space, both front and back, gives the car an added layer of practicality. An excellent driving position, with lots of adjustment, provides great visibility and you also get a 360-degree camera as standard. The cabin is bright and spacious The interior quality is a mixed bag, with some premium materials and a few design flourishes interspersed with some cheaper materials. The infotainment screen is a decent size but the system can be a clunky to use. Behind the wheel, the Ora 3 is relatively good fun to drive, with the electric motor providing near-instant acceleration from a standing start. The 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds isn't blistering, but feels quick enough, with the instant torque meaning it feels sprightly up to about 40mph. It's an easy and relaxing car to drive around town and doesn't cope too badly once you get out onto the B-roads. If you're after true driver engagement, then the steering is perhaps a little too light on the twisty roads, while there's also a fair bit of body lean to get used to when cornering swiftly. Looking ahead, GWM is looking to increase its presence in the UK with a new pick-up. The as-yet unnamed vehicle will join the recently-introduced Haval Jolion Pro SUV and the Ora O3 in the Chinese brand's range when it launches this September. The brand has stated that full pricing and specifications will be announced next month, too. 'Aimed at customers and businesses', the new vehicle will be a 'capable and tough vehicle that is ready to traverse any terrain'. It is believed that the new vehicle could closely resemble the brand's Cannon pick-up, which is already on-sale in Australia, where it is accompanied by 2.0- and 2.4-litre diesel engines with more powerful versions getting four-wheel-drive as standard. When it arrives, the new GWM vehicle will likely rival other pick-up trucks like the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max and KGM Musso, as well as more upmarket contenders like the Volkswagen Amarok. In Australia, prices for the Cannon start from $34,000, which would put it at around £16,900 in the UK. If carried over, it would put the new GWM vehicle at the more budget end of the pick-up segment. GWM Ora 03 GT PRICE: £32,995 for GT version BATTERY: 63KWh PERFORMANCE: 0-62ph in 8.2 seconds MAX CHARGING SPEED: 64kW RANGE: 248 miles CHARGING TIME: 10-80% charge in around 45 minutes for the 48kWh battery model and just under an hour for the 63kWh model