Automotive

What the heck is a GWKULLA?

What the heck is a GWKULLA?
GWKULLA's electric motor generates 15 hp and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) of torque to drive those tiny rear wheels
GWKULLA's electric motor generates 15 hp and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) of torque to drive those tiny rear wheels
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A complete recharge time of 4.5 hours is handled through a regular 220v power outlet
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A complete recharge time of 4.5 hours is handled through a regular 220v power outlet
Small pivoting bar is all that keeps inhabitants from falling out at speed
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Small pivoting bar is all that keeps inhabitants from falling out at speed
GWKULLA's electric motor generates 15 hp and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) of torque to drive those tiny rear wheels
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GWKULLA's electric motor generates 15 hp and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) of torque to drive those tiny rear wheels
Gullwing doors...very Aventador
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Gullwing doors...very Aventador
The Great Wall EV concept is taller than it is wide
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The Great Wall EV concept is taller than it is wide
Future styled steering wheel is needed to manage all that power
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Future styled steering wheel is needed to manage all that power
Seating for two with passengers aligned neatly in a row
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Seating for two with passengers aligned neatly in a row
Rearward visibility may leave something to be desired
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Rearward visibility may leave something to be desired
GWKULLA is definitely conceived as an inner city runabout
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GWKULLA is definitely conceived as an inner city runabout
Styling is typical compact EV influenced, with plenty of windscreen and wide open side venting
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Styling is typical compact EV influenced, with plenty of windscreen and wide open side venting
Comparisons between the GWKULLA concept and Renault's Twizy (pictured above) are inevitable
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Comparisons between the GWKULLA concept and Renault's Twizy (pictured above) are inevitable
Twizy came out in 2009, first GWKULLA showed up 2008
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Twizy came out in 2009, first GWKULLA showed up 2008
Twizy is also electrically motivated
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Twizy is also electrically motivated
Twizy gullwing doors aka GWKULLA style or vice versa
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Twizy gullwing doors aka GWKULLA style or vice versa
View gallery - 14 images

Hot on the heels of last week’s F1 inspired Renault Twizy comes another (slightly) less outlandish EV in the form of the awkwardly named GWKULLA. Looking very much like the Twizy, this concept from Great Wall Motors showed its pert little face at the Shanghai Auto show last week.

The diminutive car's diminutive electric motor generates 15 hp and 50 Nm (37 lb.ft) of torque to drive those tiny rear wheels. This delivers a claimed top speed of 65 km/h (40.5 mph) and a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), while recharge time is specced at 4.5 hours through a regular 220 V power outlet.

Comparisons between the GWKULLA concept and Renault's Twizy (pictured above) are inevitable
Comparisons between the GWKULLA concept and Renault's Twizy (pictured above) are inevitable

Styling is typical compact EV influenced, with plenty of windscreen and wide open side venting
Styling is typical compact EV influenced, with plenty of windscreen and wide open side venting

The concept shown in Shanghai is part of the ongoing Great Wall KULLA concept series. This series first appeared at Beijing’s Auto China Show in 2008 and has been shown in several forms at major Chinese auto shows since. The various iterations include a slim four seater, a slightly chubbier four seater, and a fully enclosed tandem two-seater similar to the current version.

From our photos taken in Shanghai one fairly quickly picks up on the fact there are no doors. The drop down “plasticky gullwing doors” look borrowed from a child’s electric buggy and being taller than it is wide, the GWKULLA looks like it's well-suited to negotiate the urban squeeze ... though it might not fare at all well on the skidpad.

View gallery - 14 images
6 comments
6 comments
Slowburn
Not the best golf cart I have seen.
RJB
I see the problem with all of these type of cars as being in the Euro NCAP testing (and other equivalents). There appears to be no real substance to offer resistance to impacts and side impacts in particular. Exposed wheels may also cause problems with type-approvals/homologation etc.
David Anderton
think they would need to be registered as motorcycles
Martin Gough
There is a Twizy twizzing about in Oxford, UK, and they are listed on the Renault UK website with a price, so presumably have passed the necessary tests for whatever they have been classed as here.
Womp
I like the comparison pictures, one vehicle attracts a hipster infestation, while the other does not. I know which one I would prefer.
Slowburn
re; RJB
Look closer the "cars" have fenders.