Electric car Ora Funky Cat in the test: Chatterbox with lame loader
Not a small car
The spherical design suggests that the Funky Cat is a small car. That’s wrong. At almost 4.24 m, it is only around 3 cm shorter than a VW ID.3. Even a VW Golf is only slightly longer. Measured against the traffic area of the Funky Cat, the space available on the seats is slightly below average, but the trunk is a bad joke. Just 228 liters are hidden behind a high sill. As a rough guide: Even a VW e-Up offers a few liters more and is around 60 cm shorter on the outside. E-cars that are comparable in length to the Funky Cat, such as the Renault Megane E-Tech or the Cupra Born, offer significantly more space everywhere.
Solid workmanship
It is by no means all bad. The decent seats offer a powerful massage, and the lack of rearward adjustment will only be a problem for long-legged people like the author. In addition, there is careful processing, even on bad roads nothing crunches and rattles. Everything is just assembled and leaves a solid impression. What Ora delivers in this respect is remarkable and by no means self-evident. The fact that the haptic impression, which starts extremely classy on the top of the dashboard with a matt cover, is then dominated again by hard plastic from knee height at the latest – the Funky Cat can be forgiven.
Infotainment: Crude operation and tiny writing
The infotainment system of the Funky Cat is a catastrophe. The operation via touch screen is accurate, but the display is simply too small and the fonts too tiny. Even the smallest button can hardly be hit while driving. Apart from that, the system stutters, reacts slowly and is a real pain. The voice control, on the other hand, works astonishingly well. You don’t even have to speak loudly or clearly for the system to understand and implement commands reliably. Other manufacturers should pay attention here!
High nerve factor
The Funky Cat is definitely not a car for people with sensitive nerves. Not only because of the faulty and sluggish infotainment system, but also because of the excessive wind noise that penetrates the cabin at higher speeds. The wind noise is so loud that it is difficult to carry on a normal conversation without shouting. The noise level rises even more when the car is accelerated.
Chassis, drive, prices
The driving experience of the Funky Cat is mixed. The steering is relatively precise, but the suspension is quite hard, so that bumps and potholes are noticeable. The acceleration is decent, but it lacks power at higher speeds. The range is also disappointing, as it falls significantly short of the manufacturer’s specifications. As for the price, the Funky Cat is on the more affordable side for an electric car.
In conclusion, the Ora Funky Cat is not a practical small car. Its design may deceive at first glance, but it falls short in terms of space and trunk capacity. However, it does have solid workmanship and comfortable seats. The infotainment system is a major drawback, with its crude operation and tiny writing. The car is also prone to wind noise and lacks power at higher speeds. Overall, it may not appeal to buyers who prioritize practicality and efficiency, but rather those looking for a unique and unconventional electric car option.
