For those whose tastes do not favor curvy crossovers and utilitarian pickup trucks, the current lineup of GWM Philippines might not be for them. However, that might change soon as the Chinese manufacturer has two aces in its sleeve: a tiny, wide-eyed cat and a boxy, rugged off-roader.
Let’s start with the little Ora 03, also known as the Good/Funky Cat in other countries. This electric hatchback carries a retro-inspired design courtesy of former Porsche designer Emanuel Derta, hence the familiar look of the famous rear-engined sports car.
The Ora has two motor options: a 48kWh lithium-ion battery good for 320km and a 63kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with a longer 420km range. Both powertrains produce 143hp and 210Nm, topping at 160km/h and reaching 100km/h in slightly above eight seconds.
The Ora 03 has a length and a wheelbase of 4,235mm and 2,560mm, respectively, slotting itself within the popular B-segment subcompact hatchbacks.
Stepping inside, you’ll be treated to a respectably sized seamless screen design combining the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system, both of which have a 10.25-inch display. Safety features range from automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and traffic jam assist.
Prices have not been revealed for the Ora 03; its official launch is in December. For those curious about this supermini, the GWM Ora 03 is currently on display at the 11th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit until October 21.
On the other end of the stick, the GWM Tank 300 is set to be an off-roading beast. Our demo unit houses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with a healthy 217hp and 387Nm at its disposal. With a ground clearance of 224mm, this vehicle isn’t as competitive as its American rivals, but it will give its ASEAN counterparts a run for their money.
The Tank 300 comes in four-wheel drive as standard, with 2H, 4H, and 4L driving modes—each dedicated to snow, mud, sand, mountain, rock, and pothole. Other off-roading features include a 360° camera, crawl control, and tank turn.
Contrasting its utilitarian exterior and capabilities, the interior provides a more luxurious approach. A pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital cluster and the infotainment span halfway across the dashboard, while the nine-speaker sound system from Infinity offers top-notch audio quality.
The soft leather seats and the flashy metallic trim parts are combined with hard black plastic for that dependable grippy texture. The Tank 300 can store up to 400L of cargo space with the seats up, and folding the second row practically creates a bedroom for camping.
GWM Philippines will start accepting reservations for the Tank 300 in November, pricing the boxy SUV around the P2,600,000 ballpark. Can the brand score a home run among the overlanding crowd?
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