GWM has gold in its hands with Ora 03 GT and can dare more

Ora 03 GT at the GWM Experience Drive Days in Interlagos

Photo: GWM / Car Guide

I confess that I was impressed by the visual presence of the Ora 03 GT, from GWM, on the Interlagos circuit, in a recent promotional action. Then, by coincidence, I saw a red Ora 03 GT on the road. Then my mind flew.

But before talking about the idea I had for Ora 03, I want to talk a little about the context. I anticipate that it has to do with motorsport. And the recent Formula E São Paulo e-Prix, which I got to know inside at the invitation of Nissan, reinforced my conviction.

We all know that Formula E has existed for a decade as the FIA’s electric single-seater category. And that F1, which has had hybrid cars since 2014, will have more power in the electric motor than in the V6 1.6 Turbo from 2026.

I would also add that Mitsubishi, which has been holding a regular rally in Brazil for decades, is a brand that has achieved great loyalty from its customers.

Ora 03 GT at the GWM Experience Drive Days in Interlagos

Photo: GWM / Car Guide

In the electric car market, GWM (Great Wall Motor) only has the Ora line in the world and the Ora 03 model in Brazil. There is no such thing as an electric Haval. But BYD, on the other hand, has a huge line of electric cars, with emphasis on the Dolphin, Seal, Yuan Plus and Dolphin Mini models in Brazil.

With the exception of the Seal, however, BYD’s cars don’t fit in on a race track. The Ora 03 GT, yes. It is a low and wide hatchback, with a striking design that mixes elements from Porsche and Mini, but does not copy them; it’s an exclusive look.

With an engine of 126 kW of power (171 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, and a 63 kWh battery that allows a range of at least 319 km, the Ora 03 GT could inspire GWM to create an electric Touring Tournament. Or a raid, passing through hand-picked beautiful cities, on visual roads.

But is the Ora 03 GT good on the track? Well, the car has some features that need to be considered. Like any electric car, the weight of the battery slightly affects the directional behavior. Furthermore, the large wheelbase reduces its performance in tight corners.

As I didn’t drive the car on the track, I asked a colleague who tried it at Interlagos, journalist Juliano Barata, from the FlatOut website. “I thought the Ora 03 was well balanced on the track, but the brakes showed a bit of fading at Junção,” Barata told me.

Fading is the overheating of the brakes, which reduces their performance. In Interlagos, Curva da Junção is almost at the end of the 4.3 km lap, after a sequence of heavy braking in the middle of the circuit.

“But the biggest problem is that the battery heats up a lot, as in all electric cars, and the performance worsens on the next lap”, adds Barata. Yes, just see that even in F1 drivers can’t do two laps in a row at most.

Ora 03 GT at the GWM Experience Drive Days in Interlagos

Photo: GWM / Car Guide

These details, however, can be minimized according to the driver’s behavior. In the same way that Formula E teaches competitive drivers to save battery power during a large part of the race, an Ora 03 GT race could be quite educational.

Not to mention that GWM could still invite customers from all other electric car brands to take their cars to the track, for an electric car ride on the calendar circuits. It would also be a great opportunity for electricity companies to showcase their products for charging batteries.

The world of the electric car is very interesting and can be as aspirational as that of the V8s that overheat the planet. But there is a legion of people, including journalists, who discredit him for ideological reasons. Therefore, actions like Formula E are important.

Of course, the idea that works for GWM’s Ora 03 GT can also work for other brands that have electric cars. Imagine a Peugeot e-208 GT Cup or a Fiat 500e Cup: they would be fantastic. But I doubt that Stellantis will put energy and money in favor of expensive electric vehicles in Brazil at this moment.

Therefore, GWM has gold in its hands. At the GWM Experience Drive Days, more than 1,600 people were in Interlagos. Now, just be even more daring and create a CBA category to increase your esteem among the Brazilian consumer; of today and the near future.

Ora 03 GT at the GWM Experience Drive Days in Interlagos

Photo: GWM / Car Guide

Ora 03 GT technical data

Engine: 1 front electric

Power: 126 kW (171 hp)

Torque: 250 Nm

Weight/power ratio: 9.3 kg/hp

Transmission: AT1 (front-wheel drive)

Suspension: independent (d) and torsion axis

Battery: 63 kWh

Range: 319 km (PBEV)

AC charging power: 11 kW