GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition+ gets 260-mile range

• Commemorates GWM Ora’s one-year anniversary in the UK
• 260-mile range
• On sale 12 October, costing £33,795

The GWM Ora Funky Cat is to gain a new special edition model in the range to commemorate the brand’s first-year anniversary in the UK. Building on the car’s existing specifications, the new version will be called First Edition+ and will get an improved range and added interior features, but is limited to just 50 units.

New GWM Ora saloon is China’s Hyundai Ioniq 6 rival

Though the current Funky Cat range is very limited, the brand says the First Edition+ is a taster of what's to come, as GWM Ora continues to expand the model lineup next year with a wider selection of trims arriving.

The biggest benefit of the new First Edition+ is a 63kWh battery that means the new car will be capable of a 260-mile range, compared to the current First Edition’s 48kWh battery, which offers 193 miles on a charge. 

In addition to this, the First Edition+ gets heated and cooled seats with a massage function, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof and a parking assist feature. The wireless phone charging system, facial recognition tech, electric front seats and voice control features offered on the launch model are also carried over to the First Edition+. GWM Ora says Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is on the way, and will later be available via a system update on all cars.

The Funky Cat has been offered from launch with a comprehensive amount of safety and driver assistance tech, and this will continue to be the case for the First Edition+. This includes front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and changing assistance, and blind spot detection.

The new trim comes as GWM Ora continues its onslaught in the UK, having announced a new network of test drive centres that it hopes will help to make the brand more well known and encourage more customers into its cars. The brand is also planning to eventually bring its saloon model to the UK – named the Lightning Cat in other markets, it will rival cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6, albeit likely with a lower price tag. rival The Funky Cat First Edition+ will only be available to buy through official GWM Ora retailers on a first come first served basis, costing £33,795.

To check out how one of the Funky Cat’s biggest rivals compares, read our review of the BYD Dolphin…