GWM Ora 03 GT: Funky Cat gets sporty successor

The Funky Cat is no more… But GWM’s cutesy EV lives on with a new, zestier GT guise. Could this be the first budget-friendly electric hot hatch? Get all you need to know, below.

Given the Funky Cat’s quirky title was arguably its greatest asset, we’re puzzled why Great Wall Motors opted to change it. Still, the goofy adorable looks, retro-feeling interior, and irresistibly low entry price, remain — but more on that later.  

The biggest change comes with the addition of a range-topping GT model (as seen here), complete with a plethora of go-faster styling enhancements. Up front, a redesigned bumper featuring larger air intakes and a red stripe, make the 03 GT look less Noddy car and more NISMO racer. And then there’s the more aggressive 18-inch diamond-cut alloys which boast their own crimson accents, plus wider wheel arches to house them. But it’s at the rear where things get most exciting. A sizeable spoiler and faux diffuser help to add a pair of interesting focal points to the previous car’s strangely featureless tail.

It’s no hot hatch, though. Not by 2025 standards. Save for the inclusion of a launch control mode for punchier getaways, little has been changed under the GT’s skin to enhance poke or agility. That means you get the same 169 bhp front-mounted electric motor good for 0-60 mph in a fairly lukewarm 8.2 seconds. However, think of it as more like Hyundai’s N-line — rather than a fully-fledged N-car — and that’s no biggie. You’ll get cheaper insurance and running costs, just don’t go expecting the sort of white-knuckle thrills a true hot hatch provides. 

Didn’t want a sporty version anyway? No worries, you can still get the regular car, albeit at a healthy £6,000 discount. Now starting from just £24,995, the 03 is cheaper than both the Vauxhall Corsa Electric and Alpine A290, though some versions of Renault’s 5 can still be had for less. Considering that buys a 192-mile range (rising to 261 miles for £4,000 more), strong standard kit including an advanced suite of safety aids, and even a heat pump for improved winter battery life, you can hardly sniff at the value on offer.

That value theme continues on the inside. Usually, that means acres of scratchy plastic and switchgear that looks like it could snap off in your hand, but the 03 looks pretty plush if we’re honest. Even base model cars get a 360-degree camera system, keyless entry/start, and adaptive cruise control. However, it’s the GT line that gets all the bells and whistles. From heated and cooled massaging seats to a panoramic sunroof, few cars can challenge the 03 GT for standard equipment. We just hope GWM has managed to iron out all of the original Funky Cat’s frustrating tech glitches. 

It might not be the left-field rocket we’d wanted but, for a first try, the 03 GT is certainly an intriguing offering from the Chinese. Will the British public feel the same way? Let us know if you’d buy the refreshed 03 GT over the first-gen Funky Cat, or even one of its more established European rivals.

Hero image credit: GWM UK