The GWM Ora 5 small electric SUV is resulting from arrive in Australia imminently as a alternative for the Ora electric hatch, but it surely could gain a hybrid powertrain.
The newest federal government certification documents for the Ora 5 list a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, alongside the 150kW/260Nm single-motor front-wheel drive electric powertrain already announced.
This hybrid powertrain produces 164kW of power and 476Nm of torque, and features GWM’s first-generation Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.1L/100km on the WLTC cycle.
Moreover, the most recent approval documents – just like the previous versions – list a variant that mixes an electrical powertrain with a lower ride height than either the hybrid or the Ora 5 EVs already locked in for Australia.
CarExpert can prevent hundreds on a brand new automobile. Click here to get a fantastic deal.
At 1559mm tall, it has 135mm of ground clearance – the latter down 40mm on other Ora 5s, and making the brand new small SUV look much more just like the small hatch it replaces.
Not included within the documents is the pure petrol-powered Ora 5 offered in some markets, which GWM Australia has previously ruled out. This produces outputs of 105kW and 210Nm, and is mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
A plug-in hybrid version of the Ora 5 has also been previewed in China.
Unusually, GWM has chosen to not only develop almost identically styled Ora 5 variants with different ride heights, but additionally to pivot Ora – which is treated as a brand in China, but a sub-brand here – away from being exclusively electric.
Since its inception in 2018, the Ora brand has only offered EVs. Now, with the Ora 5, it’s expanding its powertrain lineup to incorporate hybrid and even pure-combustion options.
Australian customer deliveries of the electrical Ora 5 will begin in June, with the brand new SUV priced from $33,990 drive-away – the identical price because the outgoing Ora hatch range is currently being offered from, after initially launching in updated guise in mid-2025 with a base price of $35,990 drive-away.
While it won’t be launched with a locally developed AT-1 chassis tune, GWM recently confirmed that may follow shortly after launch.
GWM has also said it plans to expand the Ora lineup here.
“There can be further expansion to are available the Ora range later this 12 months as well, and also you’re going to see one other one, possibly two, additional Ora models land on this region as well,” said Steve Maciver, head of communications for GWM Australia and Latest Zealand, to Australian media on the Beijing motor show last month.
“At this stage, Ora’s focused on EV [in Australia, but], there could also be hybrid options in there as well… We’ve got loads of options. We’ve just set to work out what the appropriate move for us is.
“There are other vehicles which we’ve seen, which we’re keen on, which haven’t yet been revealed publicly, that are very much on our radar.”
As mentioned, the Ora 5 can be offered with two different ride heights, with a sedan version to follow that may slot in under the Lightning Cat offered in China. The as-yet-unrevealed sedan has been ruled out for Australia resulting from low demand for this body style locally.
It’s understood the extra Ora models being considered aren’t necessarily separate model lines, but fairly members of the fast-growing Ora 5 family.
The Ora 5 will overlap somewhat with the Jolion Max, a small SUV based on the Jolion but with a bigger footprint, which can be launched here late in 2026 with the selection of plug-in hybrid or electric powertrains. Pricing has yet to be announced.
“We’ve been pretty aggressive by way of our position and our pricing for [the Ora 5]. We see a possibility in order that’s why we’ve done that. The way in which we’ve positioned the Ora 5 SUV has been intentional of where that’s going to position other models around that automobile,” explained Mr Maciver.
“We’re pretty glad where we’ve got to with the Ora 5 SUV pricing and it’s resonating, but it surely does leave us options on either side.”
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
