GWM develops new Ora crossover to complement Cat hatchback

GWM’s Ora division is developing a new electric crossover that will sit alongside the existing Cat hatchback, featuring a 150kW motor powered by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

The new model has been filed with China’s Ministry for Industry and Information Technology, revealing key specifications for what appears to be a higher-riding sibling to the compact Ora Cat.

According to the regulatory filing, the crossover measures 4471mm long, 1833mm wide and 1641mm tall, riding on a 2720mm wheelbase. This makes it notably larger than the 4235mm Cat hatchback currently available in some export markets.

The new model retains the retro-inspired design language of the Cat, including round headlights and curved surfacing. However, it adds roof rails and increased ground clearance to create a more rugged crossover appearance.

At the rear, styling closely mirrors the Cat with a clamshell-style tailgate and high-mounted tail lights integrated into the rear window design.

Technical specifications and suppliers

Beyond the 150kW motor output, technical details remain limited. The LFP battery pack will be supplied by Honeycomb Energy, while braking and energy recuperation systems use by-wire technology developed by Chinese company Feigetech.

For the domestic Chinese market, the crossover will feature lidar sensors, additional cameras and side radar sensors to support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functions.

Export market positioning

GWM plans to launch the crossover in China first before expanding to export markets next year. The company expects the model to strengthen the Ora brand’s position internationally.

Whether the crossover will reach New Zealand remains unclear, though GWM New Zealand has been approached for comment on potential local availability.

The development comes as electric crossover SUVs continue to gain popularity globally, with manufacturers seeking to expand their offerings in the growing segment.