a test drive in the Ora Funky Cat

Cats are all the rage on the internet. But the animals haven’t really lost anything on the street. Unless they come on four wheels, like the Ora Funky Cat now. What can the newcomer from China do?

Berlin – Pray? The car brand should be completely unknown to most people in Germany. Because so far, the funky Great Wall Motor subsidiary has only sold its models in China, where the group is based.

But Chinese cars now also come to us via the Emil Frey Group, which has so far brought brands like Subaru and Mitsubishi to the country. The first is the Funky Cat small car, which will arrive in dealerships in January at prices starting at €38,990.

Trendy city car with spherical headlights

It’s hard to understand why the Chinese called their newcomer a “cat,” at least from a Western perspective. But the car is definitely “funky” in the funky sense. Because with the spherical headlights of a VW Beetle and the rear shape of a Mini, the four-door really stands out from the street scene. Its trendy colors are also impressive.

Its format makes it a typical electric car for the city. Measuring 4.24 meters in length, the Funky Cat effortlessly navigates through heavy traffic and finds a parking space everywhere. The car sits on a platform called a skateboard, which will also carry the next generation of the Mini thanks to a cooperation with BMW. Because all the technology disappears into the floor of the car, there is enough space in the back seat even for adults. At 228 litres, the boot is quite tight, even for a small car.

no bargain from china

Anyone who thinks small prices when it comes to Chinese cars, Ora will teach you otherwise. Because with a starting price of just under 39,000 euros, the Funky Cat costs more than small electric cars like the Opel Mokka-E or DS3. However, there’s also a chic vibe that’s a far cry from the hardware store charm of many cheap “made in China” products: no matter where you look or reach in the cabin, the Ora always makes a high-quality impression.

Also, the Chinese are not stingy when it comes to equipment. Electronically, all the usual is on board, from distance control to smart navigation, and Ora even has massage seats to offer. Only the screens around the steering wheel are comparatively small.

However, Ora scores with voice control, which is also clearly superior to established brands. Not only that this system is extremely smart and the owner can give his own name to it. In addition to navigation, air conditioning and radio, she even controls the trunk lid. And because the electronics are constantly learning new things, it fulfills more of the driver’s wishes with every kilometer.

Just average below sheet metal

As convincing as the ambiance is and as clever as the assistants are, the unit only performs average. The front engine with 126 kW/171 hp is still fine, especially since the 250 Nm ensure fast acceleration (from 8.2 seconds). A top speed of 160 km/h is also not uncommon for electric city cars. The 45 kWh battery capacity for a range of 310 kilometers in the basic version and 59 kWh for 400 kilometers in the top model are also accepted here.

But the Ora is disappointing when it comes to the plug at the latest. With a maximum charging capacity of 67 kW, the Funky Cat is flat-footed. Because despite the small battery, it takes almost an hour until the battery is 80 percent full again. After all, the infotainment shortens the wait time with jokes if she wants it.

Conclusion: Made in China lifestyle

Due to cheap and arbitrary. With the Funky Cat, the Chinese show that they can also live a lifestyle. The modern e-car for urban traffic will inspire younger drivers in particular with its modern voice control. Buyers have to decide for themselves whether the smart technology can make up for the long charging pauses and not-so-low price.

Data Sheet: Ora Funky Cat

All information according to the manufacturer dpa