The Ora Funky Cat is a little bigger than it looks in the picture. With nearly 4.24 m. long, 1.82 m. wide and 1.60 m. high, it is more in tune with the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai Kona Electric than with the Honda E or Fiat 500 Electric. If a stylistic relationship exists with these last two, the Chinese is distinguished by a much more developed sense of welcome.
Likewise, it doesn’t look like it’s looking to compete with that other new Chinese sedan everyone’s talking regarding either – the MG 4 (photo) – because it wants to be more upscale, which translates into prices that should be a little more salty. More than the conquest of a huge market share, the goal would therefore be to consolidate the “premium” positioning (all things considered) of the brand.
At first, the car will also only be available in an over-equipped First Edition finish, at least in the United Kingdom where it begins its European career.
Ora presents the Funky Cat like a small car with the technology and prestige of a big one, and it’s a philosophy that is reflected in its dynamic character.
It is thus very comfortable on the secondary network, but shows a good rigor when the pace accelerates, even when the road surface deteriorates. On the highway, the auto holds its lane comfortably and predictably, requiring minimal correction for crosswinds from overtaking trucks (both of which were present in force the day we tested the car).
And although neither its power nor its engine torque are particularly high, there is always enough reserve for overtaking. We do perceive a few jolts of damping and squealing of tires, but nothing that squeaks during a lap of the M25 (the ring road of Greater London, 188 km long, editor’s note), for example. It won’t get much further on a charge, anyway.
The steering disappoints with its lack of consistency, however, while the steering wheel seems too wide. In short, if a slightly sportier variant is marketed one day, it will be necessary a minima tighten the steering rack and stiffen the shock absorbers.
But if you are content with a quiet ride, the car is comfortable, spacious and makes you appreciate its generous equipment. There are longer-range electric vehicles on sale in its future price zone – 310 km for the Ora Cat, when the MG 4, offers 350 km per charge for less than €23,000 bonus deducted – but the auto remains competitive. And although its maximum charging speed of 100 kW is lower than that of its rivals, it is more than enough for someone who travels around 40 km a day, a situation which corresponds to the majority of uses.
Surprisingly, what spoils the experience a bit is Ora’s decision to pack as much technology and functionality into the value-priced Funky Cat as possible. So sat nav – which you’ll have to use until smartphone mirror link rolls out via an over-the-air update in Q1 2023 – is vague in its instructions and controlled using a tiny touchscreen keyboard impossible (or at least dangerous) to use on the go.
We regret that the infotainment interface is so unintuitive, and the contributions of the integrated voice assistant are almost useless. He certainly understood when I asked him to open my window (he knows which seat occupant is speaking) and was able to re-direct me to my starting point, but the radio stations and changes to vehicle settings remain out of his reach. Plus, he comes back a little too often to tell you regarding speed limits or to recommend a break when you yawn, but does so in a barely audible nasal voice. On this point, we are far from the effectiveness of the “Hey Mercedes“.
We’ve been waiting a while for the Funky Cat to find its way to Europe, and its engaging styling is one of its main strengths, along with its price/features ratio. In the current state of things, however, it is not intended to panic the competition as the formidable MG4 does.
But if it increases its autonomy, acquires more rigorous damping and improves its infotainment interface, it will have to be taken very seriously.
