GWM announces 50 new electrified models by 2025 – and some could come to Australia

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GWM has announced it will build 50 new electrified vehicles by 2025 for the global market, many of which could soon be on their way to Australia.

These so-called ‘New Energy Vehicles’ (NEV) models will cover hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen and full electric models and “will position the brand at the forefront of the NEV revolution”, according to a statement released by the Chinese brand this week. 

But the Chinese brand isn’t stopping there. At the 2022 Paris Motor Show, GWM’s head of European markets Mr Harry Meng said that in 2023 GWM will complete the construction of the first zero-carbon emission factory.

Many manufacturers including Polestar aim to create a truly climate-neutral car in the near future by eliminating all emissions from production. 

GMW is working towards using renewable and clean energy by introducing solar charging stations, as well as recycling and reusing residual heat and energy and utilising recycled water. 

Mr Meng also stated that GWM is currently testing their first hydrogen vehicles, powered by fuel cells. 

What new GWM ‘NEV’ models are coming?

GWM revealed three new NEV models at the 2022 Paris Motor Show with the highlight being the Next Ora Cat. 

The latest Next Ora Cat is an all-electric coupe with all-wheel drive and can accelerate to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds. Power and torque for the Ora Cat is rated at 300kW/680Nm – not far off the performance of the flagship Polestar 2 liftback. 

The driving range for the Next Ora Cat is a claimed 430km thanks to a 83.49kWh battery pack. 

A further two SUVs have also been revealed called the WEY Coffee 01 and Coffee 02. A hybrid SUV, the Coffee range has a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre Miller-cycle petrol engine that is supported by two electric motors – one on the front axle (110kW) and one on the rear (135kW). Total system torque for the Coffee is rated at 847Nm. 

Owners will be able to travel up to 146km on electric power alone, while the Coffee 02 has a slightly lower claimed electric range of 130km. 

The WEY Coffee 02 uses the same running gear as the Coffee 01, however GWM says it is a more compact version, measuring in at 4668mm long, 1890mm wide and 1730mm tall. 

That makes the smaller of the Coffee models pretty similar in size to the current Toyota RAV4 Hybrid midsize SUV, which measures 4615mm long, 1865mm wide and 1690mm tall.