Chinese, hybrid, and at a market-breaking price

The parade of new Chinese cars landing in Israel does not stop for a moment. Like a huge swarm, they push aside everything in their path, including the weakest and slowest among them. This parade is changing the preferences of the local market at a dizzying pace — from electrics to large plug-ins, and now it is the turn of affordable hybrids.

Each such wave lowers the average price to a new, low threshold and expands the circle of customers. But such an aggressive process also involves trial and error. This process was also undergone by the Chinese automotive giant Great Wall Motors (GWM), which launched the ORA brand in Europe about three years ago with two electric models with an unconventional design.

These failed to leave a significant mark on the market, and the company "recalculated its route," retreated completely from Europe, and kept its operations in Israel on a very low flame. Now it is trying to enter again, this time with a global hybrid model that proudly bears the GWM group logo and, on the side, in small print, the brand name ORA.

Exterior design

Externally, the 05 preserves the unique design features of the ORA brand but in a much more moderate form, aimed at a wider audience. The front is still soft, rounded, and nostalgic, provided that your definition of "nostalgia" is copying distinct design features of iconic models from Volkswagen and Porsche. In this case, these are oval and almost horizontal headlights located inside fenders that rise above the hood, in the style of a classic Porsche 911.

The side profile is more standard and resembles a family hatchback that has grown in dimensions. A height of 1.64 m places it in the SUV segment, although ground clearance is limited, the lines are soft, and the wheel arches are not emphasized. The tail design brings us back to the soft-fashionable motif with a rounded and bulbous protrusion of the rear door, above which is a narrow and oval window. In total, it is a fresh and unconventional design.

Vehicle interior

The entry threshold is not particularly high, but the large doors and high roof allow you to enter and exit the vehicle with great ease even if you are 1.8 m tall or more. The feeling in the cabin is airy and spacious thanks to large glass surfaces and a roof that rises high above the passengers' heads.

The seating position itself is not particularly high, and visibility to the front and sides is good, although the narrow slit window in the back does not allow you to know what is happening beyond the rear door line. Fortunately, there is a good quality surround camera system already in the base version.

The front seats are spacious and well-designed, and a wheelbase of 2.72 m together with a flat floor provides decent legroom even for long-legged adults. The rear seat itself is wide enough for two full-sized adults plus a slim passenger between them.

Trunk volume, which was a significant weak point in the electric ORA 03, stands at 390 liters in the new vehicle. It will fulfill any reasonable family purpose, although the loading threshold is still high, making it difficult to unload heavy objects.

The command system maintains the minimalist format accepted in most Chinese cars with a large rectangular dashboard screen located in front of the driver, and a thin multimedia screen of a respectable size of 14.6 inches in the center. Below the central screen are several physical switches in a "retro" design, meaning a design copied from MINI brand vehicles. The gear lever is located in a convenient position on the steering column.

The graphic interface of the multimedia system is well-planned with large fonts and a clear division of important touch menus. Synchronization of mobile operating systems also takes place without difficulty. As a backup, there is also a voice command system that is better than average, for now in English.

Manufacturing quality is high with good noise insulation at reasonable speeds, and the quality of materials and finish is equivalent to what we are used to getting in more expensive segments. We did not connect with the hipster plaid fabric that covers parts of the dashboard, but overall the cabin feels pleasant and does not convey a "cheap" feeling, especially if you choose the light color option.

Standard equipment is respectable even in the base version and includes, among other things, an electric driver's seat. To get synthetic leather upholstery, an electric passenger seat, a sunroof with a curtain, and more, you need to choose the top version, which is more expensive by about 9,000 shekels.

Engine and fuel consumption

The hybrid drive system combines a 1.5-liter turbo-gasoline engine, a powerful electric motor, and a small battery that does not charge externally. The default in calm city driving or moderate intercity cruising is quiet and smooth electric driving. When the battery runs out, or when the driver wants vigorous acceleration, the gasoline engine kicks in.

Combined output stands at 223 hp, but the dominant figure is a massive torque of 48.5 kg/m, which provides a feeling of available and abundant power on any incline. Official consumption according to WLTP stands at about 19.6 km per liter, but actual consumption depends on driving style, with a total range that can easily reach 600+ km between visits to the gas station.

On the road

Even on the road, it is evident that GWM has made considerable engineering efforts to suit the tastes of the European public. Body roll in tight turns is restrained, and road grip is reasonable. Unfortunately, the steering did not receive similar investment, and it feels artificial and disconnected, making it difficult for drivers to utilize the respectable power reserves on winding roads. Ride comfort is better than average, and it manages to absorb most of the common bumps without effort. There is also an impressive package of active safety systems, but those responsible for lane keeping are quite annoying.

Price

A fairly well-equipped base version costs 140 thousand shekels, while a super-equipped version still costs a little less than 150 thousand shekels. If you take into account the energetic and economical hybrid drive and the overall refinement, this is a vehicle that can and deserves to conquer a respectable segment of the market.

Some competitors:

Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid: 136–139 thousand shekels. Slightly smaller than the ORA, but the cabin is spacious. 163 hp and fuel consumption of about 19.3 km/l.
MG ZS Hybrid: 155 thousand shekels. Dimensions are similar to the ORA, the trunk is larger, but the wheelbase is shorter. 194 hp.