Ora Lightning Cat is cheaper than expected - starts at less than $26,000

Many refer to Ora Lightning Cat as a “poor man’s Porsche” but it isn’t a bad thing, it should be considered a compliment actually. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a car looking this good, packing this much performance and costing this little.

The Ora Lightning Cat was officially unveiled at its launch event and although the design wasn’t a secret for a while now, the performance was more or less expected - the price came as a surprise. The expectations were for it to sell for around RMB 200,000 but the company priced it aggressively at RMB 189,800 or just under $26,000. That advertised price actually already includes the EV subsidy - without it the car costs RMB 201,200 which is exactly what we expected ($27,650).

For that price customers are getting the entry level trim with a single electric motor pumping out 150kW (204hp) and 340Nm of torque. The LFP battery pack offers 555km of claimed range and can recharge from 30 percent to 80 percent in around half an hour.

The long range version comes with the same motor but is equipped with an MCN battery pack with 82kWh capacity, in this specification the claimed range is 705km. That model is priced at RMB 239,800 after subsidies or just under $33,000.

The fastest model comes with two electric motors and AWD system with total output of 304 kW or 408 HP, the torque comes at 680 Nm and this version sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a not-to-shabby 4.3 seconds. The claimed range for the sporty Lightning Cat is 600 km but the car already has the WLTP rating of 450km - quite a bit of a difference as you can see. Maybe roads in China have less rolling resistance? Or the wind always blows from behind?

All models come with ORA-PILOT 3.0 ADAS equipped with 28 sensors, there are cameras and even radar sensors. The interior is very well appointed, the center screen is a little bit overwhelming and feels actually out of place but apart from that - the cabin is a really nice place to be. Certainly it does not look like it belongs on a $26,000 car.

Ora Lightning Cat will be competing against the likes of BYD Seal and the other good looking BYD - the Han - in a most fierce Chinese segment of sedans. The company hopes to sway some customers away from Tesla Model 3 and with a good looking car like this - it just may have a chance.

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