Review: ORA Funky Cat - Trish Whelan, Irish Car
The ORA electric car brand owned by Great Wall Motors of China is being distributed in Ireland by IM Automotive Ltd who recently introduced the Funky Cat small car to our shores, writes Trish Whelan.
This little feline comes with a mix of retro and futuristic styling inside and out, some high end technology and a long list of standard spec. It competes with other small and equally cute electric cars such as the Honda-e and Fiat’s 500e.
All ORA’s current range have Cat in their name. Unlike the Chinese, I don’t like cats.
The rear lights gave their own display when I turned the car on or off. Not to be outdone, the front lamps did their own workout, and actually winked at me.
The very roomy and equally colourful interior could hold its own against many way more expensive competitors. An opening panoramic sunroof was a bonus. It gathered compliments from all my friends.
The minimalist dash features two large 10.25-inch screens that merge together. On the central touchscreen, you access local radio stations by pressing on a small icon on the bottom of the screen while more prominent ones are for online options deezer.com, Reuters.com, and radioline.com. At launch, we were told that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be added in over-the-air software updates in coming months. Below the screen you’ll find Mini-like toggle switches for climate functions. To get to the temperature controls, you press small up and down icons.
The low central console has many good storage areas, a wireless mobile phone charger, one small USB socket and two cupholders.
Boot space is small at just 228 litres but this can be increased to 858 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s just an inflation tyre repair kit.
There’s a facial recognition camera on the A-pillar which among other things recognises you when you sit in the car and adjusts all settings to your favourite positions. But it also keeps an eye on how you are driving and lets you know audibly if your eye strays to the touchscreen or to a passing vehicle for more than a second or two. Every alert comes with annoying bleeps. I was continually told ‘Concentrate on your driving. Don’t get distracted’ while driving perfectly well. It all resulted in me shouting at the system many times during every drive. That’s no way to enjoy a car and is embarrassing when you have passengers onboard.
ORA offers a 5-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and 8-year battery warranty or 160,000kms.
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