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[This article was first published on straitstimes.com]
Funky Golf-size electric hatch offers driving pleasure, passenger comfort and extraordinary suite of premium features
SINGAPORE – First impressions count. Which is probably why new kid on the block Ora has launched its Good Cat compact electric hatch with every imaginable feature.
A spitting image of the Alfa Romeo Mito, and the size of a Volkswagen Golf, the Ora Good Cat has premium equipment – such as self-tilting left mirror, motorised tailgate, adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping (which works around bends) – and front seats with ventilation and massage function. Yes, massage function – in a car which costs as much as a Toyota Corolla.
Other features include a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and an instrumentation panel which projects icons of vehicles ahead. The last one is a useless gimmick pioneered by Tesla and copied mindlessly by others. But if you are into gimmicks, it is worthwhile to note that the Ora’s system is more illustrative than Tesla’s.
You will find pretty impressive fit and finish too, with a suede lining for the dash top and cross-stitched upholstery for the seats, armrests and door panels. As another nod to Tesla, the Ora’s cockpit is clutter-free, with most operating controls found within a one-piece widescreen monitor incorporating infotainment on the left and instrumentation on the right.
Overall, it exudes a higher quality than other Chinese cars. In fact, it stands shoulder to shoulder with many South Korean models.
Aside from its kooky name, the car is quite a feat for Ora, a brand within the Great Wall Motor family from China.
The Good Cat drives well too, coming across as refined and responsive, even when driven in Eco mode. Fed by a 63kWh battery, its 105kW front-mounted motor dishes out 210Nm of torque. While acceleration is modest, with the 0-100kmh sprint completed in 11 seconds and velocity peaking at 152kmh, the car is adequate in Singapore.
Classy cockpit: Modern features in a luxury setting.
Its power rating also means it qualifies for the less punitive Category A certificate of entitlement.
In the ride and handling department, the car displays the agility of a hatchback and the cushiness of a saloon. Measuring 4,235mm long, 1,825mm wide and 1,596mm tall with a 2,650mm wheelbase, it is approximately the size of the BYD Dolphin. Yet, it offers a better compromise between comfort and drivability.
Its 63kWh battery is larger than the Dolphin’s 44.9kWh pack, which conceivably translates to a more effective ballast to keep the Good Cat on even keel. And despite its wheelbase being 50mm shorter than the Dolphin’s, space in the second row is not shoddy at all. In fact, its roominess is enhanced by a slightly higher ceiling.
Tight trunk: Boot space is limited.
Its boot, however, is substantially smaller. At 228 litres, it will accommodate a compact baby pram or a Brompton bicycle, but not much else.
A larger battery would typically translate to a longer driving range, but this does not seem to be the case for the Ora. Based on the car’s consumption over a four-day test drive, its real-life range under local driving conditions would be close to 350km – not too different from the Dolphin’s.
Room service: Surprisingly spacious second row for a compact car.
I was unable to access the car’s efficiency reading, but Ora’s declared figure is 16.7kWh/100km, compared with BYD’s 15.2kWh/100km for the Dolphin. After clocking 289km, the Good Cat’s battery’s range had diminished by 331km.
The test car’s rotary drive selector is unique. Instead of built-in resistance to limit its rotation between Drive and Reverse, the selector is free-wheeling. Not a bad thing in itself, but the control does not always get to where you want it to go, often getting stuck in Neutral. This is frustrating if you are in a hurry.
The car emits an inordinately loud rasping noise when it sheds speed in adaptive cruise control mode. Which is weird because there is no noise when you brake or when the car goes into energy recuperation with throttle off.
Ora aura: Newcomer making a strong impression.
Its seatbelt warning chime comes on whenever a rear occupant rests his palm on the middle seat. This is probably owing to an oversensitive weight-sensing device under the seat.
Despite these peculiarities, the Ora Good Cat is an attractive option for those who want the driving ease of a breezy compact car and the comfort of a larger vehicle. In some ways, it is akin to the accomplished VW Golf, but with a more palatable price tag. Its suite of premium features, however, puts it well above cars in its $165,000 price bracket.
In fact, you will be hard put to find something in the $200,000 segment which even matches its equipment list.
[Source article: The Straits Times] © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Published 2 Sep, 2023
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