One out of every six new cars sold in Israel in the first quarter was electric. Two out of every three electric cars sold in the quarter were made in China. You don’t need a pocket computer to understand that electric cars made in China are currently a hot commodity in the Israeli car market.
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That’s why they flock here in droves. As of today, 14 Chinese car brands are already represented in Israel, and if in the first stage the presence was focused on “safe” market segments, such as crossover and off-road cars, then today niche models designed specifically for the Chinese market are already arriving here.
The new electric model of the ORA brand from the Great Wall group belongs to this category. The model was designed for China’s young and established urban customer segment, eight tens of millions of customers, and mainly for young and fashionable women. This positioning is supported not only by a cute name like Funky Cat – young Chinese women adore cat comics – but also by a rounded and “soft” exterior design.
exterior design
The design is characterized by a highly curved nose and tail, the design of which reminds quite a bit of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle, and there are also large round headlights, a sloping hood with interesting protrusions, large and rounded side mirrors and large, fashionable rims. Although the roof is relatively flat and the proportions of the body are wider and taller than those of the original Beetle, it is still a fresh and attractive design, which attracts a lot of attention on the road and produces quite a few smiles, no small matter these days.
The problem is that all those curves make the car, which is about the same size as a Volkswagen Golf, look smaller than it really is. This is a marketing disadvantage in the Israeli car market, where status is measured in centimeters on the road.
vehicle interior
The illusion of a “compact city car” disappears when you enter the passenger compartment. The entrance is easy thanks to large and tall door openers and the cabin promotes its occupants with surprising space for legs, shoulders and head. A respectable wheelbase of 2.65 m and an almost flat floor provide the rear seaters with the legroom of vehicles of a higher category, and between the doors in the back you can seat two adults plus a teenager without overcrowding.
The sitting position in front is relatively high and provides a view of what is going on beyond the sloping engine compartment, and visibility to the sides is also good thanks to the large windows. On the other hand, rearward visibility is quite limited due to the narrow windshield and requires the use of the peripheral camera system.
Multimedia and cameras
The cabin design is creative in the “retro techno” style. The technology is represented by two wide LCD screens and a rotary gear selector. “Retro” is responsible for nostalgic elements whose design was “borrowed” from European icons, such as a Volkswagen Beetle-style steering wheel and silver air conditioner switches, which are copied from “Mini”. The fans of the original may gnash their teeth, but overall the design of the cabin is harmonious and creates a unique and relaxing atmosphere. Our passengers loved the upholstery of the seats and doors with checkered stitching and the eye-pleasing color coordination. The production quality leaves a meticulous impression and aligns with what is customary in Europe.
As usual with the Chinese, the standard fittings are generous and unusual compared to Western models at a similar price. Among other things, there is a pair of electric front seats with heating and massage, an opening panoramic sunroof, an electric rear door and more. The safety specification is impressive, and in addition to a five-star rating in NCAP, there is a comprehensive array of passive and active safety systems. However, it is not fully baked yet. The “steering assistance” systems fundamentally sabotage the feedback from the steering wheel, so we had to disconnect them. The collision avoidance system tends to react hysterically, including loud commands “turn on the brakes” and we were unable to understand if, and when, the system to check the driver’s vigilance is working.
The human engineering adopts a minimalist line and almost all operation, including the climate system, is carried out through touch menus. On the other hand, the vehicle is equipped with an excellent voice recognition system in English, the like of which we have become accustomed to receiving so far mainly in luxury vehicles.
Trunk
In contrast to the abundant space for passengers, the trunk is very small. Its volume is equivalent to that of supermini cars alone and it is flawed by the high loading opening. You can’t even push a baby carriage into it, and it will swallow only three small trolley suitcases without folding the rear seat cushion. It’s not bad for singles or young urban couples, but for an active family crowd it’s a problematic element.
engine and range between charges
The vehicle stands on a dedicated electric platform with a drive system, which includes a front electric motor with a power of 171 hp, and in the “long-range” model we drove also a battery with a respectable real capacity in relation to the dimensions of the vehicle, of about 63 kilowatt-hours. The nominal range is 420 km m, and it seems that the consumption management system is very effective. In relatively spring weather, with limited use of the air conditioner and heating, it is possible to reach a range that is close to the stated, and also the activation of the air conditioning and/or the sport mode does not consume too many kilometers between charges.
The power of 170 hp on a curb weight of about 1.56 tons and a torque of 25 kgm that is immediately available, provide absolutely respectable performance for a city car. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 8.3 seconds, and the sporty programming mode sharpens the response to pressing and accelerates the vehicle briskly even on uphills with passengers. Cruising at acceptable intercity speeds is quite relaxed, although accompanied by quite a bit of wind noise.
on the road
The vehicle is mainly calibrated to the needs of urban users. The steering is light and vague except in the sport mode and after disconnecting all the “assistance” systems. In fast turns, a noticeable body lean is evident, although the vehicle still maintains reasonable stability. A healthy push on the accelerator can spin the front wheels even on a dry road and put the traction control into action. Suspensions absorb typical city shocks well, although with 18-inch rims the ride can be bouncy on bumpy asphalt surfaces. Some competitors do a better job.
price
The Pro Plus version with the long range that we drove costs about NIS 165,000 until the initial stock runs out, after which it will cost NIS 172,000. At the current price it provides good value when it comes to range efficiency, equipment, performance and of course design. But it should be remembered that the vehicle does not offer the added value of status, and the volume embodied in the crossover configuration, which is almost a mandatory requirement in Israel today. Therefore, the vehicle is directed from the beginning to a more limited audience.
Car and transportation
competing
Gilly Geometric C 460 Pro
The price is NIS 165,000. The car has a 204 hp engine and a 70 kWh battery (range: up to 460 km). The vehicle is spacious, and the trunk is large, and includes a comprehensive active safety kit.
Gili Geometric C 460 Pro / Photo: Yeh’ach
MG4 64 kW
The electric hatchback, which will land in Israel soon, is lower than the ORA, and included a trunk of 363 liters. The version is equipped with a 204 hp engine and a 64 kW battery (range: up to 450 km).
MG4 64 kilowatts / photo: YH’s