Tesla Model 3 competitor by GWM spotted on Australian road

GWM Ora electric hatchbacks are hitting Australian showrooms, and they may soon have company.

While GWM has yet to officially confirm the larger Ora Sport for our market, CarExpert understands it’s due here early in 2024.

One registered example has been spied on an Australian street by a member of the Facebook group Car Spotters Australia.

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Earlier this year, CarExpert drove a left-hand drive evaluation vehicle in Victoria.

Pricing for the GWM Ora Sport hasn’t been locked in, given it’s not yet confirmed for Australia, but GWM has made clear it plans to be aggressive with where it positions it, describing it as a potential “EV performance bargain” alongside the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

The GWM Ora tops out at $51,990 before on-roads after a recent price cut, and we would expect the Ora Sport to be priced above that.

That would put it up against the Tesla Model 3, which in base rear-wheel drive guise is priced at $57,400 before on-road costs.

The Ora Sport measures 4871mm long, 1862mm wide and 1500mm tall on a 2870mm wheelbase.

That makes it 177mm longer but 71mm narrower than a Model 3, on an almost identical (5mm shorter) wheelbase.

Two powertrains are available. A base front-wheel drive, single-motor variant produces 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, with its 63kWh lithium iron phosphate battery affording 555km of range on the more lenient NEDC cycle.

A dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain offers 300kW and 680Nm and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds, with an 85kWh battery bumping range up to 705km.

Available equipment, depending on the variant, includes a panoramic glass roof, head-up display, power-adjustable front sports seats, and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

A 10.15-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard across the range.