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The Volkswagen Beetle may be long gone, but one of its most obvious spiritual successors isn’t ready to disappear just yet. Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is preparing to relaunch the Ora Ballet Cat, its retro-styled electric hatchback that famously drew comparisons with the iconic Beetle. This time, however, the company is hoping extra performance and a fresh identity will succeed where clever marketing couldn’t.
According to a report by Car News China, the latest regulatory filings published in China reveal that the Ora Ballet Cat is receiving a more powerful electric motor, a higher top speed, and could even lose its feline-inspired name altogether. The update arrives as competition in China’s EV market reaches new highs, forcing automakers to rethink products that once stood out for style alone.
While GWM is best known internationally for brands such as Haval, Tank, and Ora, it has quietly become a significant player in global electrification. The company also operates Spotlight Automotive, a 50:50 joint venture with BMW Group, producing the latest MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman models in China, giving GWM valuable experience building premium EVs for global markets.
More power, a new name, but the same unmistakable personality
According to regulatory documents reported by CarNewsChina, the refreshed Ballet Cat retains everything that made it instantly recognizable. Rounded LED headlights integrated into the front fenders, pronounced wheel arches, generous chrome trim, a gently sloping roofline and an almost upright windscreen continue to evoke the silhouette of the classic Volkswagen Beetle. The filing also reveals several customization options, including different bumper finishes, body trim pieces, wheel designs and exterior badging.
The biggest upgrade lies beneath the bodywork. The updated model swaps its 126kW (169hp) electric motor for a new 150kW (201hp) unit, increasing output by around 40 horsepower. Top speed climbs from 155km/h to 180km/h, making the quirky hatchback noticeably more capable on paper. It continues to ride on 18-inch wheels, measures 4,401mm long, 1,853mm wide and 1,681mm tall, with a 2,750mm wheelbase, and uses an LFP battery supplied by GWM subsidiary SVOLT, although battery capacity remains undisclosed.
Regulatory documents also suggest GWM could rename the model Ora 6, moving away from the company’s long-running cat-themed naming strategy. The change would align it with newer models like the Ora 5 and the upcoming Ora 7.
A bold experiment gets another opportunity
When the Ora Ballet Cat launched in 2022, it wasn’t simply another electric hatchback. GWM positioned it as a lifestyle-focused EV aimed primarily at female buyers, packing it with features rarely seen elsewhere in the industry. Among them was Lady Driving Mode, which automatically increased the distance from vehicles ahead to make driving feel less stressful. There was also a built-in selfie camera and the widely discussed Warm Man Mode, which activated the cabin heating and air conditioning with a single tap to improve comfort during menstruation. Whether viewed as thoughtful or controversial, the features ensured the Ballet Cat became one of China’s most talked-about EVs.
Unfortunately for GWM, attention didn’t translate into sales. According to China EV DataTracker, cumulative deliveries reached just 8,523 units between July 2022 and June 2026, making the Ballet Cat one of Ora’s weakest-selling models.
When it launched in China in 2022, the Ora Ballet Cat was priced between 193,000 yuan and 223,000 yuan (around $28,480–$32,905), making it relatively affordable for a feature-rich EV. It paired its retro, Volkswagen Beetle-inspired styling – with rounded wheel arches, an upright windscreen, and a gently sloping roofline – with a long list of comfort and safety features aimed at standing out in China’s crowded EV market.
The affordable pricing wasn’t matched by stripped-down specifications either. Buyers could choose between 401km and 500km CLTC driving ranges, while even the base model came with Level 2 driver assistance (ORA-Pilot), making the Ballet Cat relatively well-equipped for its price when it launched in 2022.
Rather than abandoning the project, GWM appears to be taking a more practical approach. The refreshed Ballet Cat keeps the nostalgic styling that made it memorable while addressing one of its biggest shortcomings: performance. Combined with simplified branding and the company’s growing expertise in EV manufacturing, the update suggests GWM still believes there’s room for a retro-inspired electric hatchback in an increasingly crowded market.
The refreshed Ora Ballet Cat is expected to launch in China later this year after completing regulatory approval. Whether more horsepower can finally turn curiosity into sales remains to be seen, but GWM is clearly betting that nostalgia still has plenty of miles left in it.
