Ora 07 Long Range, feminine EV with masculine personality – Test Drive
The first time this model stormed into memory was when attending the Auto Shanghai 2023 event last year.
Ora 07, or better known as Ora Lightning Cat in the international market, indeed brings a controversial design, reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera sedan and Porsche 911 models.
To place it on par with million-dollar models may be an unfair assessment.
Ora 07 is the second electric vehicle (EV) model introduced by GWM Malaysia after the cute Ora Good Cat hatchback, with a price offer below RM200,000 (RM169,800).
Compared to closest competitors like BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3, is the Ora 07 just an ordinary EV?
Based on a recent test drive experience, the definitive answer we can give is, “No!”
1. Feminine Design
BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 present a more traditional sedan body design.
The Ora 07, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera body, with a more tapered roof line, followed by a quite long body dimensions.
The rear also features an electrically powered adaptive spoiler that can be raised or lowered as needed, and the front lights, when viewed from any angle, resemble the 911.
Overall, this is not a negative aspect of the Ora 07. It is suitable for those with a feminine spirit and individuals looking for something different in the electric sedan segment.
However, the all-red rear light design may confuse road users and make it difficult to determine whether the signal is for turning or not.
2. Bugatti, Porsche Inspired Interior
Not content with just the exterior, the interior layout also draws much inspiration from famous models.
The high central console seems to take inspiration from Bugatti, while the front digital cluster screen clearly brings Porsche elements.
At the very least, the layout shown in this space is much better and more elegant compared to cars that simply place an iPad screen on the dashboard during development and then sell it to the public.
The writer particularly likes the design of the Ora 07’s digital cluster screen, it looks fresher.
However, the downside is that it does not come with theme options that match its round design. Moreover, there are no options for available analog meter graphics!
3. Easy to Operate, but Still Troublesome
One thing the writer appreciates about the Ora 07, apart from the support for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, is the presence of manual control buttons in the central area for the air conditioning system.
It offers controls for fan speed and cabin temperature. Easy to operate using muscle memory. However, that’s the only benefit provided.
There are no physical fan speed controls included on the air conditioning vent. This means that if you feel bothered by the cold air blowing into your nose, you will have to delve into additional menus for climate control on the infotainment screen.
Yes, the Ora 07 includes several types of air flow mode on the screen for use during the summer, but it’s not a feature that can make daily driving more pleasant.
Fortunately, the Ora 07 is equipped with an engaging 11-speaker Infinity audio system, so you can enjoy your favorite songs after fiddling with the climate control settings.
4. Comfortable Cabin, but…
The use of premium materials dominates the Ora 07’s cabin space. It looks luxurious.
The standard factory-installed sports seats also contribute to the comfort aspect, as do the quite cushy rear seats.
Apart from the long wheelbase, one thing that makes the space look more spacious is the fairly wide and elongated panoramic glass roof.
Because of this, rear passengers can enjoy more headroom. Just avoid long-distance travel for extended periods when the sun is directly overhead.
There are no switches available to open the glass panel structure, and no sunshades provided in that area to filter out the sunlight that can burn your hair.
5. Limited Cargo Space Access
This sedan offers a cargo space of 333 liters, sufficiently enough for daily use.
Although the Ora 07 comes standard with a fastback sedan body shape, it does not provide the ability to open the rear extensively like any other aeroback model.
The somewhat limited opening may make it difficult for you to load larger items.
Fortunately, the second-row seats can be folded, allowing you to place longer items in the rear.
Additionally, there are several small storage spaces available in the cabin, further enhancing the practical aspect of the Ora 07.
6. Masculine Driving Experience
As standard, the Ora 07 comes with a single powerful electric motor setting of 201 hp and 340 Nm that drives the front wheels.
The power is sufficient to propel the electric sedan in urban routes, with no issues of power shortage.
Aggressive acceleration can also be achieved in a manner that is quite smooth and seamless, without resulting in the usual power surge effect experienced in other electric cars.
What makes the writer excited about this electric sedan is the delightful driving experience package that is hard to find in any other electric car.
Despite featuring various feminine characteristics, the driving aspect of the Ora 07 is more masculine. It’s like a car with dual personalities.
For a moment, the writer completely forgot that the Ora 07 is a heavy electric sedan (2.5 tons) when testing its handling on winding roads.
The steering response is good enough to ensure the car stays on the right track, in addition to the chassis tuning and suspension system that make the driving experience of this electric sedan quite enjoyable on the winding roads of Negeri Sembilan.
Body roll is also felt at a minimum level, making the writer more enthusiastic to continue pressing the accelerator pedal every time a straight road is connected to a curve.
The use of Hankook Ventus S1 Evo3 tires also helps the sedan grip well on the asphalt surface.
Adding vibrancy to the Ora 07’s driving experience is the simulated sound of a fake engine that can be activated through the infotainment screen.
At the very least, it can satisfy your longing for the sound of an engine, and the writer believes this feature is way much better than the spaceship-like sound found in more expensive EV models.
There are several driving modes included that can be accessed through the central manual button, including the Well Being mode, which will deactivate the regenerative braking function and allow the car to continue coasting when the foot is removed from the accelerator pedal.
Like an ICE car, isn’t it?
7. Concerns about Range Anxiety?
We tested the Long Range variant paired with an 83.5 kWh battery pack.
According to NEDC data, the sedan can travel up to 640 km on a full charge, a figure that may be challenging but not impossible to achieve.
Based on our usage, we managed to record a driving range of 470 km before the battery reached 15 percent state of charge (SoC), with an estimated remaining range of about 102 km.
In our opinion, the Ora 07 is suitable for use as a daily commuter car or occasionally for intercity travel beyond two stages.
DC charging up to 88 kW allows the battery to be charged to 80 percent in just half an hour, meaning you won’t have to wait long if you need to undertake a long journey in the Ora 07.
8. Safety
As standard, the Ora 07 comes with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) Level 2, which includes several key functions such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, smart lane keeping, and lane centering assistance.
The adaptive cruise control feature proves effective when on the highway to maintain a safe driving distance.
However, the way the lane centering assistance operates on the other hand may be perceived as slightly aggressive, especially for those who are confident in their driving skills.
Conclusion
With a starting price of RM169,800, this Ora 07 Long Range could be an alternative electric sedan that caters to the preferences of buyers who seek something different and want to stand out from the norm.
Although it has some shortcomings, all those issues may fade away when you are able to enjoy the very satisfying driving experience this sedan offers.
Don’t believe it? Even now, the writer still can’t believe it!
Specifications:
Electric Motor: Single, front-wheel drive
Power: 201 hp, 340 Nm
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds
Maximum Speed: 170 km/h
Battery: 83.5 kWh
Range: 640 km (NEDC data)
