2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs, Price, Configurations

2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs, Price, Configurations – Differentiating a new car from more established competitors can be difficult, especially if the brand is new to the market and still developing. But given its name alone, it’s safe to assume that the GWM Ora Funky Cat garnered a lot of attention. As you said, the somewhat odd name has been eliminated, and the more modest number 03 has been assigned to the lowest GWM Ora model. If the 03 didn’t have a distinctive name, what else would persuade you to choose it over the popular MG4?

Because the battery capacity ranges between 48 kWh (45.4 kWh useful) for the Pure+ and 63 kWh (59.3 kWh useable) for the Pro+, the range is between 193 and 261 miles. Even yet, these driving range figures fall short of what an MG4 of the same grade can achieve. 2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs

2026 GWM Ora 03 Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

There are four distinct color options for the 2026 GWM Ora 03, none of which are dull gray or silver. Nebula green and starry black are single-color with a black inside pattern, while Mars red and Aurora green are two-tone with matching bi-color interiors (red and beige for Mars red, and green and beige for Aurora green).

Included are delicate-looking toggle switches that mimic those on a MINI Electric and have a chrome appearance. It’s not completely outdated, though, since there are many panels, from the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster to the 12.5-inch center touchscreen (we’ll discuss the latter’s use later). The former may provide a lot of information, but it is hard to use and understand at a glance due to its light background and small characters.

Except for the soft-touch materials on the top of the dashboard, the remainder of the 03’s interior is composed of hard plastics. Neither they nor the main console, which feels flimsy, are particularly noteworthy to the touch. Compared to the conventional buttons and toggles on an MG4, the touch-sensitive “lit-when-on” steering controls, which resemble those on a Volkswagen ID.3, are more challenging to use.

The infotainment system includes a DAB radio and Sat-nav. The six-speaker audio system sounds fantastic, and the car runs smoothly despite not having to cope with the extra noise of an engine because it is electric. The Pro+ versions of the 03 have complete smartphone connectivity and support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a “beta basis,” but we weren’t happy with it because it kept disconnecting from our Android test phone.

The infotainment panel looks fantastic, even if it sometimes responds to instructions a little more slowly than we would like. Some of the most used components, such the controls for the climate control system, could be easier to find. The driver’s instrument cluster may be hard to read due to its small typeface.

One of the oddities of the 03 is the child mode. It looks a little unsettling as it starts to roll up the windows, turn on the fan of the air conditioner, and play a wind-up music box on the audio. Every effort is made to keep children occupied, cool, and out of the sun if you must leave them in the car.

2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs

Engine & Performance

Currently, the 48kWh (45.4kWh useable) Pure+ and 63kWh (59.3kWh) Pro+ 2026 GWM Ora 03 models come with the 169bhp electric motor. All three cars, including the BYD Dolphin, had front-wheel drive, whereas its MG4 rival had rear-wheel drive.

Given its cute design and small size, you would assume the 03 would be a fantastic town car. However, at low speeds, the suspension’s noticeable wobbling reduces comfort in the city. Although it does linger longer at higher speeds, overall it doesn’t feel especially harsh or abrasive; it’s certainly not worse than in comparable electric competitors like the Renault Zoe or MINI Electric.

However, there isn’t much compensation in terms of driving fun. The 03 seems a tad slow and unsteady at times and lacks body lean. The problem is made worse by the steering, which offers little to no sensation.

The majority of buyers will find “fine” to be enough, even though it is insufficient when compared to the MG4 or MINI Electric. Despite having variable power steering, we didn’t think the Pro+ variant’s system was any more discreet or simple than the standard car’s. Since it is quite easy to fire up the front tires, even on a dry road, the 03’s traction is also inadequate. Because of its electric drivetrain, there is very little noise coming from underneath. Unfortunately, this highlights how much louder the tire sound is than in the MG4.

Through a touchscreen submenu, users may select from three more energy recovery modes in addition to the single-pedal driving mode. There is no problem with the transition from mechanical braking to regeneration. At 0-62 mph, the 03 48kWh Pure+ took 8.3 seconds longer, or 0.4 seconds less, than the Standard Range MG4. In Normal mode, the electric motor’s rapid power and the throttle’s enough advancement make electric vehicles seem energetic enough to drive around town, so it won’t really matter. At speeds over fifty miles per hour, the acceleration is notably slower than that of its rival.

Despite its 8.2 second advertised speed, we don’t believe the 63kWh Pro+ is any faster than the Pure+. It weighs 40 kg heavier because of its bigger 63kWh battery pack and other electronics, and its electric engine isn’t all that much more powerful. 2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs

2026 GWM Ora 03 Fuel Economy

The 2026 GWM Ora 03 Pure+’s claimed electric range of 193 miles with a 48kWh battery pack is little shorter than the Standard Range MG4’s 218-mile range. Since that rival does have a larger battery pack than the 03, the MG4 should definitely travel farther. The larger capacity 63kWh 03 Pro+, which has a more manageable 261 miles of range, is inferior to the 64kWh Long Range MG4 and even the somewhat more expensive 77kWh Extended Range MG4 with 323 miles of range.

During our week of testing for the 48kWh Funky Cat (which utilizes the same battery as the 48kWh 03 Pure+), temperatures frequently fell below zero. For an EV, particularly one like the 03 that lacks a heat pump—a more energy-efficient method of heating a car’s interior during cold weather—this is the worst weather conditions. This resulted in a very poor efficiency rating of 2.8mi/kWh. In cold weather, we calculated the real-world range to be 134 miles.

We anticipate that the 03 will continue to lag behind its rivals, especially considering that the MG4 we were driving at the time only managed 3.1 miles per kWh (or an extra 57 miles on a fully charged battery). But until we try it in warmer climates, we won’t be able to assess its effectiveness. For those looking for more economy, the Kia Niro EV is a fantastic choice. The MG4 only achieved 3.5 miles per kWh in our MG4 vs. Kia Niro EV twin-test, which was conducted in warmer weather. In contrast, the Niro EV achieved 3.9 miles per kWh.

The charging speed of the 03 isn’t very spectacular when compared to its rivals. The MG4’s maximum charging rate of 64kW is significantly less than its typical charging range of 90kW. As a result, charging an MG4 takes a little over 30 minutes, whereas charging a 03 rapidly from 10 to 80 percent (from around 20 miles of residual range to just over 150 miles) takes 45 minutes. Additionally, even though the max charging speed has only been increased to 67kW, charging the larger battery, 63kWh 03, will take little under an hour. The Long Range MG4 can be charged in around 25 minutes thanks to its significantly faster 140kW charging speed.

A far more sensible way to charge the 03 than using a power outlet would be to use a 7kW wallbox charger at home and benefit from cheaper electricity rates at night. A 63kWh unit would require 9.5 hours to completely charge, but a 48kWh 03 model would require little over 7 hours.

2026 GWM Ora 03 Safety Features

The 2026 GWM Ora 03’s reliability is difficult to evaluate because the brand and car are too young to be included in the annual Driver Power rankings. In addition to the extensive five-year unlimited mileage guarantee (explained below), there includes five years of AA breakdown coverage in case of an accident.

We can comment on the 03’s safety since Euro NCAP, crash test experts, evaluated it. It outperformed the MG4 in the adult, child, and safety assistance categories and received a five-star rating in 2022.

Adaptive cruise control, which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, front and rear cross-traffic warning, which warns of possible crossings, traffic sign recognition, and lane keep assistance are among the many safety features that are standard on all 03 models. The latter is one of the most intrusive systems we have ever encountered. On almost any British B-road, especially ones with blurred boundaries and disappearing center lines, it often panics that you’re leaving your lane and tugs at the wheel to compensate. In response to user input, there could be a shortcut to more easily disable this by swiping down on the primary touchscreen. You must, however, take these safety measures every time you start the car since they are mandated by law.

The 03 also has a facial recognition system that monitors your focus on the road ahead. It will ping a warning tone if it senses that you are falling asleep or that your focus is wandering. Because of its poor performance and potential for irritation, some users could feel pressured to disable this feature. The device might not be able to monitor your eyes if you wear sunglasses, which could lead to misunderstandings.

The quality of the construction is poor. The chrome toggles appear a little fragile, and the hard plastic of the center panel isn’t particularly sturdy. Furthermore, the two-tone color scheme of certain 03 models may show stains and quickly appear unclean if the inside isn’t cleaned often. The rotary gear selector comes next, which spins freely like a cheap hi-fi’s volume button; you have to rely on the LED signal to be sure of the gear you’re in. 2026 GWM Ora 03 Specs

2026 GWM Ora 03 Release Date & Price

GWM Ora is a car manufacturer that most UK consumers will not be familiar with. Introduced in 2013, the Great Wall Steed pickup truck is really a sub-brand of Great Wall Motors, hence the GWM in GWM Ora. In addition to Ora, a firm that specializes in creating all-electric cars, it has since grown to become one of China’s leading manufacturers of SUVs and pickup trucks.

The 03, also known as the Ora Good Cat in other places, is GWM Ora’s initial model in the UK. It is anticipated to compete with the MG4, MINI Electric, and BYD Dolphin as a five-door, five-passenger small electric car.

The 03 currently goes by a different name and comes in a range of trim levels and battery capacity. The entry-level Pure+ model is still the First Edition, which retails for just under £32,000. The more costly Pro+ variant, which retails for more than £35,000, is the top 03 model.

Conclusion

The 2026 GWM Ora 03, originally known as the Ora Funky Cat, is a small electric car meant to rival the BYD Dolphin and MG4. Even though it costs more than the MG, it is marketed as a more luxurious EV with additional safety and convenience features.

Similar to the popular MG4, the inside may use some work, and the narrow boot of the 03 makes its five doors less than practical. The 03 isn’t a particularly fun car to drive because of its unreliable ride and poor handling. You could leave your children there, though, as Euro NCAP says it’s safe enough. Its cute look is likely to appeal to them as well.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.