GWM ORA R2

Model Overview

The GWM ORA R2 is the third-generation fully electric microcar launched by Great Wall Motor's ORA brand. Officially launched on 15 July 2020, it was later officially christened the "ORA White Cat". As another addition to the "Cat series" following the ORA R1 "Black Cat", the ORA R2 carries the "Cat" moniker, sporting a quirky and charming design positioned as an urban runabout for short daily commutes. At launch, the vehicle was priced between RM75,800 and RM88,800, built on ORA's dedicated ME pure electric platform, and backed by a 3-year or 120,000 km manufacturer warranty. The ORA R2 is a crucial member of ORA's "Cat series" family, which together with the ORA R1 (Black Cat) and ORA R2 (White Cat), formed the brand's core line-up in the early micro EV segment.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the ORA R2 was penned by Great Wall Motor's Yokohama Design Studio in Japan, blending Japanese Kei-car aesthetics with modern minimalist design. The body features rounded contours, sporting a closed-off front grille with honeycomb-inspired motif accents, complemented by horizontally aligned rounded headlamp clusters for an adorable visual appeal. In profile, the car features a tapered upper body with a wider base and a relatively flat roofline, which maintains stylish proportions while maximising interior headroom. At the rear, the tail lights and high-mount third brake light are integrated seamlessly into the black rear windscreen, flanked by the central ORA emblem and an oval number plate recess below for a clean, distinctive look. Dimension-wise, the car measures 3,625 mm in length, 1,660 mm in width, and 1,530 mm in height, with a 2,490 mm wheelbase. It employs a "wheels-to-the-corners" design philosophy, pushing the wheels as far out as possible to maximise wheelbase and ensure a remarkably spacious cabin. Inside, the cabin adopts a two-tone colourway with vibrant accent trims around the air vents, paired with a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and an integrated dual widescreen display, creating a youthful, tech-laden ambiance.

Powertrain & Performance

Across the range, the ORA R2 is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor paired with a single-speed reduction gearbox, available in two powertrain outputs. The 360 km range variant delivers 35 kW (approx. 48 PS) and 125 Nm of torque, while the 401 km range variant pushes out 45 kW (approx. 61 PS) and 130 Nm of torque. Power is supplied by a CATL-sourced ternary lithium-ion battery pack; early variants featured battery capacities ranging from 30 kWh to 34 kWh, whereas selected later updated variants received a 38 kWh battery, offering NEDC-rated pure electric ranges of 305 km, 360 km, and 401 km across different iterations. Via DC fast charging, juice can be replenished from 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) in around 40 minutes for the standard-range model and 45 minutes for the long-range model. Average energy consumption is rated at around 10 kWh per 100 km—requiring only about 10 units of electricity per 100 km—making running costs exceptionally low.

Chassis & Handling

The ORA R2 utilizes a front-engine (motor), front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, riding on MacPherson independent suspension up front and a trailing-arm torsion beam setup at the rear. Steering is handled by an electric power steering (EPS) system built around a monocoque chassis structure. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid disc brakes. The suspension setup is tuned for everyday comfort with light steering feedback, ideal for city tarmac. Thanks to its low centre of gravity and compact wheelbase, the car weaves through urban traffic effortlessly and makes parking a breeze. Drive modes include ECO and Sport, working in tandem with a regenerative braking system that allows drivers to optimise energy efficiency according to road conditions. That said, given its micro commuter positioning, while punchy enough for city runs, mid-to-high-speed overtaking power remains relatively modest.

Cabin & Equipment

The ORA R2's interior centres on a high-tech cabin experience. Standard across the range is an integrated dual-screen setup comprising a fully digital instrument cluster and a 23-inch infotainment touchscreen running on Android 9.0 OS with dual-screen cross-display functionality. It is fitted with an iFLYTEK smart voice command system supporting natural language recognition for hands-free control of navigation, music playback, and climate control, offering commendable recognition accuracy and response times in its segment. The connected T-BOX system allows smartphone app remote control, enabling users to remotely lock/unlock doors, pre-condition the air conditioning, schedule charging, track vehicle location, and run vehicle diagnostics. On the creature comforts front, it offers a 15W wireless smartphone charging pad, multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry with push-start button, reverse camera, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. The 4-seater hatchback offers a standard boot volume of 173 litres, expandable to 867 litres with the rear bench folded flat to accommodate daily grocery runs and weekend luggage.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, the ORA R2 comes equipped with Bosch's latest 9.3 ESP electronic stability programme, incorporating ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Traction Control System (TCS) to maintain chassis composure on wet surfaces or during sudden evasive manoeuvres. For active safety, higher-grade variants feature Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), capable of detecting preceding vehicles and pedestrians and bringing the car to a full stop at speeds below 30 km/h. Other safety amenities include Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. Passive safety is bolstered by 6 airbags (dual front and front side airbags) and extensive use of high-strength steel throughout the body shell for enhanced crash protection. In the tech department, the smart front-facing camera suite and automated parking assist represent one of the most advanced equipment packages in the micro EV segment.

Market Performance & Reception

Since its debut, the ORA R2 (White Cat), alongside the ORA R1 (Black Cat), served as key sales drivers for the ORA marque. In 2020, ORA registered total annual sales of 56,261 units, with the Black Cat surpassing 10,000 units in a single month; in 2021, brand sales surged 140% year-on-year to 135,000 units. However, hit by soaring global battery raw material prices, Great Wall Motor was losing approximately RM13,000 on every unit of the Black Cat and White Cat sold, prompting ORA to officially pull the plug on both models in 2022. Following their departure, ORA's sales witnessed a steep decline, with full-year deliveries in 2025 contracting to 48,289 units, marking a sharp 23.68% year-on-year drop. On the owner feedback front, users widely praised the R2's range performance—its NEDC range outclassed 90% of segment rivals—along with its generous cabin space relative to its footprint and nimble handling in city traffic. Conversely, owners noted drawbacks including lacklustre high-speed acceleration, basic interior plastics, and less-than-intuitive menu operations for certain features. Overall, with its quirky Japanese Kei-car looks, class-topping electric range, and segment-defying tech features, the ORA R2 carved out a solid niche in the micro EV market between 2020 and 2022. Its trajectory from best-seller to discontinuation also underscores the profound vulnerability of entry-level micro EVs to battery cost surges and EV subsidy phase-outs.