#byddolphin #ora03 #electriccars
BYD Dolphin review: https://www.electrifying.com/reviews/byd/dolphin/review
ORA 03 review: https://www.electrifying.com/long-term-reviews/ora/funky-cat/o3/review
Unless you’re really up to speed in the world of cars, the names BYD and Ora may be new to you. The electric revolution has attracted a number of new brands to set up shop in Europe with Chinese manufacturers leading the charge. Whether you think that’s a good or not (there are arguments on both sides), the fact is that buyers have more models to choose from - especially at the more affordable end of the market.
Take our test duo - the BYD Dolphin and the Ora 03 (which used to be called the Funky Cat before someone saw sense). Both hail from China and both have been designed to offer better value for money than their European and Japanese rivals.
BYD Dolphin
The Dolphin is just over 4.2 metres long (4,290mm) and around 200mm longer than a Vauxhall Corsa Electric and a Peugeot e208. However, unlike the Corsa, Peugeot and MINI it’s built on an all-electric platform designed from the outset to be a purely electric set of underpinnings. As result, the BYD designers and engineers have been free to place the battery pack and motor where they want, without having to take into consideration mounting points and space for a petrol engine. The stand-out measurement in the specification is the wheelbase, which at 2,700mm is longer than a Vauxhall Astra.
Although BYD offers the Dolphin in its home market with two small battery options (30.7kWh and 44.9kWh) the brand has reworked the car for Europe and is offering a bigger 60kWh pack and faster charging capability, along with the 44.9kWh unit.
The entry-level Active model has the 44.9kWh battery and 93bhp motor giving around 211 miles of range. The Boost has a more powerful 178bhp motor and 17-inch wheels which hit efficiency, so the range drops to 188 miles. The Comfort and Design use the bigger 60.4kWh battery and 201bhp motor, giving a range of 265 miles.
Ora 03
Confusingly, 03 car was originally launched in the UK in early 2023 with Ora as the brand name (albeit as part of the GWM parent company) and Funky Cat as the model name. Maybe it was decided that Ora Funky Cat was just a bit too funky for UK tastes, as the company switched its strategy from early 2024 and now sells this jazzy-looking electric hatchback under the GWM brand, with the model name Ora 03 instead. Phew…
Back when the GWM Ora 03 was the Ora Funky Cat, it only came with the 48kWh battery and a possible 193 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. That is usefully more than a MINI Electric, but down on something like a Corsa Electric or the similar-sized Citroen e-C4, which both manage more than 200 miles.
The Ora's 193 mile official figure will translate to a real-world range of around 150 miles, which is still plenty for most people, especially those who are based in urban areas. For those who need a longer range, a bigger 63kWh battery (tested here) has now joined the range, so you can now choose between the 48kWh GWM Ora 03 Pure+ or 63kWh GWM Ora Pro+.
Join Nicola and Nicki as they pitch the Dolphin and the 03 together. Which would you choose, or would you opt for something completely different. Let us know in the comments below.
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