Great Wall Motors is set to launch a new compact electric vehicle (EV) under the Ora brand, this year.
The Chinese car maker plans to establish a small network of retailers in the UK, including boutique-style showrooms in shopping centres.
Prices for the Cat are expected to start at £25,000 – a website has been set up to allow prospective buyers to register their interest.
Great Wall Motors previously sold the Steed pick-up truck in the UK, until 2016 when it no longer met type approval requirements. The vehicle was imported by IM Group, which currently brings Subaru and Isuzu models to the UK. It also purchased the UK aftersales business of Mitsubishi, after the car maker exited the UK market.
It is believed that IM Group will be appointed as the official importer for Ora in due course.
The Ora Cat’s compact footprint makes it a key rival for cars like the Mini Electric, Peugeot e-208 and Fiat 500e. When it goes on sale, there will be two battery options available – 48kWh and 63kWh – offering a range of 201 miles and 261 miles, respectively.
The car’s electric motor will power the front wheels, developing around 170PS. Ora claims the Cat can reach 60mph from rest in 8.5 seconds and recieve an 80% charge in 45 minutes.
The interior features a pair of 10.25-inch digital screens, mounted side-by-side, to create a wraparound area combining the driver’s instrument cluster and the infotainment screen.
There’s a high level of tech, including a number of advanced driver assistance features and the capability for level 2.5 autonomous driving. Other driver assistance features include lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous parking capability.