At the 15th edition of the Auto Expo 2020 in Delhi Chinese brand, GWM short for Great Wall Motors showcased their electric mobility solution called the GWM R1 which is marketed as ORA R1 in the Chinese market. The neo-retro electric car features a single configuration electric motor with two options on the battery pack which give the EV a range of either 301 km or 351 km on a single charge but according to a leaked document, the ORA R1 could be receiving a larger capacity battery pack that will up the range to more than 400 km per charge.
The change is not only reported to the battery that packs more juice but the leaked documents also suggest that the ORA R1 will be receiving a larger capacity electric motor. The GWM R1 (ORA R1) showcased at the biennial event in India featured a 33kW electric motor that generates 48 Ps of power and 125 Nm of torque but new reports suggest that the ORA R1 is likely to receive a 45 kW electric motor that generates 61 Ps of power and 130 Nm of torque.
The battery pack is also likely to be upgraded to 36 kWh that is expected to be able to provide a longer range of 400+ km on a single charge. The ORA R1 displayed at the Auto Expo 2020 featured a 28.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which returns a claimed range of 301 km on a single charge and an optional 33 kWh lithium-ion battery which provides a claimed range of 351 km on a single charge.
As per the leaked document, the EV is only limited to the changes in its powertrain and retains its exterior dimensions. The ORA R1 is built on the GWM’s ‘ME’ platform which is an exclusive pure electric platform and the car’s external dimensions measure in at 3495mm in length, 1660mm in width, 1560mm in height with a wheelbase of 2475mm and a 140mm ground clearance.
The ORA R1 in the Chinese market retails starting at CNY 59,800 which converts to approximately INR 6.20 lakh. GWM has plans to acquire General Motor’s Talegaon production facility and bring the Haval SUV line-up to India and it is being speculated that the brand is likely to bring the ORA R1 (GWM R1) electric vehicle in 2021 after it introduces ICE powered SUVs in the country.
But according to a media report, revisions in FDI (Foreign Direct Investments) policies due to the vulnerability of established car manufacturers in India, owing to the ongoing pandemic and to avoid opportunistic takeovers by foreign companies the Govt. has tightened its rules for cross border investments which could lead to delays in GWM’s launch plans or the company could even abandon investments in India altogether.
