![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 01]()
Yes, we know you needed to do a double-take because the car strongly reminds you of a certain German sports car. But we’ve established that Great Wall Motor’s electric brand, Ora, tends to take strong inspiration from other brands and make it more aesthetically pleasing. This specimen is called the Ora Lightning Cat, the latest cute electric vehicle (EV) to join the growing Ora clowder.
The Lightning Cat is perhaps the brand’s most mature model to date. The Good Cat and Ballet Cat were just downright cute while the Punk Cat is chic, none of these cater to the more mature crowd. So, the Lightning Cat will fill the gap for more mature family driven ladies.
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 02]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 01]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 02]()
Let’s talk about the looks, just like the Good Cat, the Lightning Cat bears very similar looks with a Porsche. However, we think that Ora managed to give the sporty EV a more sophisticated feminine yet retro touch.
The EV doesn’t have a grille, so it’s all smooth rounded curves paired with oval headlights. You can say that this is the Ora brand’s signature design language as the popular Good Cat also has a similar façade.
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 03]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 04]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 05]()
On the side, the Lightning cat features flushed door hands to make sure not a bump is out of place. The curves that stretched from the front smoothly taper off into a fastback rear end. What catches the eye the most is the five-spoke petal-style wheel design.
At the rear, Ora kept with the retro look so no lightbar here, only two oval taillights that are reminiscent of the headlights. The rear windscreen seemingly flows from the roof, but that’s not the most unique thing here.
Also read: Here's the list of every EV officially on sale in Malaysia, currently in 2022
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 06]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 07]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 08]()
The most unique feature on the Lightning Cat’s rear end is a spoiler that deploys itself when the EV reaches 70 km/h. Ora claims that the spoiler will help increase 20 kg of downforce. The spoiler can also be set to deploy itself whenever the driver approaches as part of a welcome function.
Measuring 4,871 x 1,862 x 1,500 mm in length, width, and height with a wheelbase of 2,870 mm, the Lightning Cat is just slightly shorter than a Honda Accord though they’re exactly the same width.
| Ora Lightning Cat vs Honda Accord |
| |
Ora Lightning Cat |
Honda Accord |
| Length (mm) |
4,871 |
4,901 |
| Width (mm) |
1,862 |
1,862 |
| Height (mm) |
1,500 |
1,450 |
| Wheelbase (mm) |
2,870 |
2,830 |
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 09]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 10]()
Inside, instead of retro, Ora seems to have gone sporty. While the round three-spoke steering wheel as well as the digital instrument cluster that is shaped in a traditional odometer style tries to keep things retro, the centre tunnel features three knobs set vertically very similar to a sports car.
Taking centre stage on the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment that is hooked up to 11 Infinity speakers.
Also read: Preliminary Ora Good Cat specs for Malaysia: Priced from RM 140k, 400 to 500 km range, 143 PS
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 11]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 12]()
The Lightning Cat comes in four variants with three ranges to choose from. The two base variants of the Lightning Cat carry a 63.87 kWh battery pack that is good for a 555 km range on the CLTC. The front-mounted motor does 204 PS and 340 Nm.
Meanwhile, the second-highest variant carries an 83.49 kWh battery pack. This variant is good for a range of 705 km based on the CLTC. Just like the base variants, this mid-ranger also has a front-mounted motor and the power outputs are similar too.
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 13]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 14]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 15]()
The range-topping variant also features an 83.49 kWh battery pack. However, it only has a range of 600 km based on the CLTC. That is because this variant is a four-wheel-drive.
The motors produce a combined power output of 408 PS and 680 Nm allowing the EV to make the century sprint in just 4.3 seconds.
Also read: Ora Good Cat EV scores 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash test, ahead of BMW i4
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 16]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 17]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 18]()
Prices for the Lightning Cat start from CNY 189,800 (~RM 123,000) and tops off at CNY 269,800 (~RM 175,000) for the four-wheel-drive variant. That’s very much more expensive than the Good Cat as the range-topping variant tops off at CNY 171,000 (~RM 112,000).
Ora has been on a roll in recent years, the brand has released one new model per year while the Good Cat continues to make waves around the globe.
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 19]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 20]()
![No that's not a Panamera, it's called Ora Lightning Cat; 705km range, price equivalent to RM 123k 21]()
GWM has slated the Good Cat to launch in Malaysia, the EV has already been previewed here though GWM still hasn’t set an official launch date. Perhaps after the Good Cat officially goes on sale, GWM Malaysia would also consider bringing the Lightning Cat in. Only time will tell.
Also read: Can't wait for the launch in Malaysia? Here are 25 photos of the Ora Good Cat to soothe the wait!
