After several experiments, Great Wall Group decided to attack the European markets with two different brands: Ora and Kei. The first caused a stir with the very attractive Funky Cat, an electric car whose rounded shape resembles the famous Volkswagen Beetle.
Today, the brand has doubled down, introducing a second model that will be launched in 2024 and bookings will open soon.
It is about a car Lighting Cata model with rather soft and rounded lines, which generally goes against the current trend, which is to make cars the most “aggressive” from an aesthetic point of view.
Power reserve up to 480 km
Like the Funky Cat, the Lighting Cat has a delicate neo-retro style that the manufacturer even described as “retro-futuristic”. It harkens back to the 1960s, and some see it as a Mini of that era, mainly because of the rounded front optics that echo the famous city car designed by Alec Issigonis.
The Chinese sedan is equipped with a larger battery than the Ora Funky Cat. This allows him to claim autonomy more than 480 km according to the WLTP cycle. The car will be available in two versions: rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The latter will display power 400 hp and a torque of 680 Nm and will be able to reduce the speed from 0 to 100 km/h 4.4 seconds.
Tesla and Hyundai in sight?
Apart from the mechanics, the car, which is already on sale in China from the end of 2022, wants to make a name for itself. in the premium electric sedan sector. To do this, it relies on a rich and modern equipment package, and even if prices are not announced, the manufacturer aims to compete with Tesla and its Model 3 or even Hyundai and its Ioniq 6.
Toby Marshall, managing director of Great Wall UK, the first country in Europe where the car will go on sale, said: “The introduction of our next electric car is a key step in the development of the brand. We knew from the beginning that Funky Cat would only be the first step in a larger strategy.”.
Broader marketing on a European scale should also be expected. According to the latest news, arrival in France is expected in late 2023 or even early 2024.
Source: Auto Plus
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