Fifty new GWM EV models here by 2025

GWM (Great Wall Motors) has telegraphed a tsunami of 50 new energy vehicles (NEVs) coming into their line-up by 2025.

That puts the multi-tendrilled Chinese auto-maker on an extremely short, two-and-a-half-year timescale to crank out what is, by any measure, a large number of completely new vehicles.

The significant announcement was made by GWM’s Head of European Markets, Henry Meng, at Paris Motor Show yesterday where he confirmed the company’s intention to become a leading global player in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) space.

Mr Meng said GWM already has a number of these NEVs already in advanced stages of design and development or already on sale in the Chinese domestic market.

They will cover hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and full EVs that will transform GWM’s future model line-up and “will position the brand at the forefront of the NEV revolution,” said Mr Meng.

The company, China’s eighth largest car-maker, has coined a new slogan: ‘Revolution is On’, to embody much of what GWM sees itself stand for: “Premium vehicles that enable a new, self-determined lifestyle with intelligent technology”.

Emphasising GWM’s focus on sustainability, Mr Meng stated: “In 2023, we will complete our first zero-carbon emission factory. By 2025, we will launch more than 50 new energy models. Currently, we are already testing our first hydrogen vehicles, powered by fuel cells.”

“We are also supporting the use of renewable and clean energy wherever possible by introducing solar charging stations to the market. In addition, we are reusing and recycling residual heat and energy and taking advantage of recycled water.

“We are looking not only for economic benefits but also to make a sustainable future for our employees and customers. Because climate change is something we all must work to stop. Together.”

Supporting these announcements, three new NEV products from GWM took centre stage in Paris.

The focus was on a sporty car called the Next Ora Cat (pictured) from GWM subsidiary Ora that the parent company says combines performance, technology, elegant design and a high level of comfort in a four-door all-electric coupe.

The car has all-wheel drive and 19-inch tyres and a maximum of 300kW of power and 680Nm of torque that help the Next Ora Cat to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

On top of this, the dual motor sports coupe has a range when fully charged of 430km.

With the launch of the Next Ora Cat in Europe, Ora is demonstrating that sporty technology, elegant design and outstanding comfort can be perfectly aligned. 

This four-door, 100 per cent electric coupe owes its sleek, in parts unusual appearance to contoured design elements and frameless doors.

Inside features ergonomic sports seats with massage, heating and ventilation functions, intelligent air conditioning while the dome-shaped panoramic sunroof in the rear enhances a sense of wellbeing, even on longer journeys.

In addition to this ‘hero’ model, GWM announced two more practical, ‘premium’ SUVs from yet another subsidiary, WEY.

They are the Wey Coffee 01 and smaller Wey Coffee 02 spruiked in Paris as vehicles where “comfort meets intelligence”.

The premium plug-in hybrid Coffee 01 is GWM’s flagship model and is built to meet the highest global standards.

According to media information on Wey provided at Paris, smart driving, smart cockpit, and smart devices are the underlying concepts that make Wey the pioneer of a new generation of intelligent vehicles.

The Coffee 01 is built on the brand’s P4 architecture that allows on-demand AWD with a pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) driving experience thanks to a dedicated electric motor on the rear axle. The vehicles offer users a complete ecosystem as all Coffee 01-related services will soon be available for order over the Wey app.

The Coffee 01’s pure electric range is up to 150km with acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in 5.0 seconds and a V-max of 235km/h. Power comes from a combination of a 2.0-litre Miller cycle petrol engine and two electric motors, 110kW at the front and 135kW at the rear providing total system power of 350kW and torque of 847Nm with a combined range of 833km.

Like the Coffee 01, the smaller Coffee 02 model offers convenience and technology for “the whole family”. With the four cameras providing a 360-degree all-round view, smart driving assistants and a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, it offers comfort and safety that meet high demands.

The Coffee 02 features a hybrid powertrain with a dual-clutch transmission and is available in FWD and AWD. Battery capacity is 36kWh with an EV range of up to 130km.

And then there’s the transparent car floor – an absolute eye catcher.