GWM Unleashes the Mecha Dragon: Is This the Future of Electric Cars?

GWM’s New “Mecha Dragon”
A Shocking Design Worthy of Its Name
How Was the Reaction in China?

The Chinese electric car market boasts the largest scale in the world. BYD, Xiaopeng, and thousands of other electric car manufacturers offer endless choices within China. Electric cars attract attention with their unconventional appearances.

Recently, the electric car brand Ora, under Great Wall Motor (GWM), has created a buzz by unveiling such a new car. After revealing the physical model at the 2021 Guangzhou Motor Show, the project was halted for some reason. However, it has recently been announced that mass production has resumed.

A Body Bigger Than the Grandeur
Just a Knockoff of the Cybertruck?

According to foreign media reports, on the 1st, GWM announced the mass production of the 4-door coupe-style electric sedan “Mecha Dragon.” The new car is 206.3 inches long, 76.8 inches wide, 58.9 inches high, and has a wheelbase of 119.7 inches, making it a large sedan.

Overall, it feels unfamiliar yet somehow familiar. Numerous foreign media outlets, including Carscoops, report that the Mecha Dragon seems to have drawn inspiration from the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, linear design and matte body emphasize this impression. The red accents applied to the DLO line, bonnet scoop, and front bumper give it the feel of a pimped car.

A Rather Tame Interior
Solving the Chronic Problem of Coupe Sedans

The interior, which is relatively tame compared to the exterior, also gives off a luxury sedan vibe. The digital dashboard is separated, and the center display extends wide, providing content to the passenger side. The center fascia has physical buttons for climate control placed below the horizontal air vents. A dial-type gear selector is present, a wireless smartphone charging pad to its right, and a pop-up cup holder is installed on the armrest.

As you would expect from a dedicated electric car, the second-row floor is flat. The same wing-type headrest as the front seats adds comfort, and the legroom looks spacious as the wheelbase exceeds 118 inches. The sharp roofline makes the second-row headroom closer to a traditional sedan, unlike other coupe sedans.

Starting Price at Around $68K
“No Hope” Even in China

Given its positioning as a somewhat luxury sedan, it is equipped with an advanced driver-assistance system corresponding to the autonomous driving of level 2+. According to GWM, the Mecha Dragon is the first mass-produced car with 38 smart sensors and four lidars. Based on Chinese standards, the battery capacity reaches 115 kW, allowing a single-charge driving distance of up to 498 miles.

Dual-motor four-wheel drive is standard, and it delivers a total system output of 544 horsepower and a maximum torque of 77.1 kg-m. It can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 3 seconds. GWM has set the starting price of the Mecha Dragon at 488,000 yuan (about $68,000). Even within China, the possibility of success is seen as virtually nonexistent.