You’ve become aware of funkypigeon.com, well, now fulfill Funky Cat (not .com), the most recent electrical car from China. And, yes, it’s sure to put the cat amongst the pigeons.
Obviously, I need to release an instant apology for that Alan Partridge-ism, however I couldn’t withstand it. It concerned me while I was taking this odd-looking motor for its very first spin, and there’s something about its basic mien that is vibrant, intense, positive, positive and a bit ridiculous. Although the importers, International Motor Group (they presently market Isuzu and Subaru), don’t anticipate the Ora Funky Cat to end up being a bestseller, it should have some success. I indicate, simply take a look at that face!
THE SPECIFICATIONS
GMW Ora Funky Cat First Edition
Price: £31,995
Propulsion: Single electrical motor, powered by 45kWh battery
Power (hp): 169
Top speed (miles per hour): 99
0-60 (seconds): 8.3
Economy (Wh/mile): 284
Range (miles): 160-193
CO2 emissions: 0
The looks are certainly the very first thing that strike you. It’s a sort of pastiche of various slightly retro designs, however it works well due to the fact that it simply exceeds the idea of kitsch and takes us into a totally brand-new world, like a car created by among those AI applications. The front appear like an early Porsche cars with extremely contemporary Mini headlamps. The back is a curved unrelieved rump similar to the very first Nissan Leaf or something like a traditional Renault 4CV. The flanks are far more modern, like a Kia or an Audi; while the two-tone customisation and roof-line on my example had a strong echo of modern Citroen C3 and Fiat Panda. Car spotters can entertain themselves for hours by attempting to recognize the origins of the numerous styling hints. The bonnet badge is essentially a huge exclamation mark, weeping out “look at me, what do you think I am?” It’s distinct, at any rate, and turns a couple of heads. The just downside, for the marketeers, is that the traditional “mini car” styling makes the car look smaller sized than it really is – larger than a Mini and around VW Golf/ID4 sized.
The cool styles are executed inside your home. It’s incredibly tastefully done, and the intense plastics, quilted “leatherette” door trim and seats have a truly uplifting feel. Even for those with a shortish within leg measurement, the seat squabs aren’t rather long enough to be effectively comfy on a long term. Like a great deal of the most recent electrical cars and trucks, much of the old rules are done without – utilizing the keyless entry you simply hop in, strut the automated equipment dial to drive and you’re away. The parking brake comes off instantly and there’s no ignition or start button. As you settle in, you’re likewise invited with a little jingle and a graphic series on the hi-res screen including a number of stunning koi carp browsing away in ideal balance. All extremely whimsical, as are the retro turns on the dash, quite like those you see on the Mini, which in turn are originated from the 1959 initial. As I state, lots to fascinate a car fan and to beauty purchasers who aren’t.
My just gripe with really driving the car is that it has a bit excessive tech and too couple of old-fashioned controls. You do require to utilize the screen to change the heating, for instance, and a few of the touch-screen icons are vanishingly little. The indications are extremely delicate and take some getting utilized to, and the voice acknowledgment system is a bit hit and miss out on. You state “Hello Ora” and it asks you what you desire. It can handle basic commands – “turn the volume” up – however it’s not so good with uncommon locations such as “Melton Mowbray” or discovering BBC Radio 5. Still, as Oscar Wilde said about a talking animal, it’s not that it’s refrained from doing well however that it’s done at all.
Like a pedigree animal, the Funky Cat has an official name that exposes more about its origins. It’s the GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition. It’s made by Great Wall Motors (GWM), a substantial Chinese gamer, and has a tie-up with BMW, which implies the Funky Cat may well be the precursor of the next generation all-electric Mini, called the Mini Aceman, and not made in Oxford. Given whatever that’s occurred with Brexit, this wouldn’t completely amaze one. We’ve had Chinese-made cars and trucks on the UK market previously, under Japanese (Honda Jazz), European (Volvo S90) and British (MG) brand names, however this is the very first mainstream item from an “original” Chinese make, which is I believe what makes it something of note. There’s a real novelty there that we felt when the very first Japanese cars and trucks was available in, with their a little various method (dependability and a radio as basic) and unknown names.
By the method, the Funky Cat has actually attained a great NCAP safety ranking; and to draw in interest and conquer strangeness, it brings some self-confidence-building service warranties – five-year/unlimited mileage for the car, 12-year anti-corrosion, eight-year/100,000 for the battery guarantee, and five-year/60,000 miles for the paintwork. Given present geopolitical stress, you may wish to think about how simple it may be to get parts if there was some trade war with China.
GWM will be the very first of lots of Chinese entrants, and the Funky Cat is broadly competitive with the similarity the MG4, Seat Born or VW ID.4, for instance. The “First Edition” is the only trim alternative for the time being. “Ora” doesn’t indicate anything.
Likeable as the Funky Cat is, fast and comfy enough, it’s absolutely nothing that unique to drive, and I’d state the variety is a bit less than the formally declared 190 miles approximately. It likewise appeared to take a bit longer to charge at my regional McDonald’s Instavolt quick battery charger, on my basic unscientific “time to consume a tea and burger” test. (Obviously, similar to many battery cars and trucks, it’s much better for the car and easier for its user to charge it over night at home). The larger downside, once again as typical with a battery-only vehicle, is rate – £31,000 approximately to buy and commensurately greater lease charges than a fuel equivalent, and a time when the future course of electrical power charges isn’t clear. For a while, the Funky Cat will be an unusual sort of charming animal.
