China’s GWM makes a Beetle EV that looks like an EV, and in some ways looks better
The Volkswagen Beetle may be long gone, but one of its most obvious stalwarts isn’t ready to disappear just yet. Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM) is gearing up to relaunch the Ora Ballet Cat, its retro-styled electric hatchback that gained popularity compared to the legendary Beetle. However, this time, the company is hoping for more performance and a new identity to succeed where clever marketing has failed.
According to Car News China, the latest regulatory documents published in China reveal that the Ora Ballet Cat is getting a more powerful electric motor, a higher speed, and may even lose its animal-inspired name altogether. The update comes as competition in China’s EV market heats up, forcing automakers to rethink products that once stood out on style alone.
Although GWM is best known around the world for brands such as Haval, Tank, and Ora, it has become an important player in electrical installations worldwide. The company also operates Spotlight Automotive, a 50:50 joint venture with the BMW Group, which produces the latest MINI Cooper Electric and MINI Aceman models in China, giving GWM valuable experience in building premium EVs for global markets.
More power, a new name, but the same undeniable personality
According to regulatory documents reported by CarNewsChina, the updated Ballet Cat retains everything that made it look so fast. The round LED headlights combined with the front fenders, bold wheel arches, chrome trim, slightly sloping roofline and almost vertical windscreen continue to evoke the image of the classic Volkswagen Beetle. The installation also reveals several customization options, including different bumper finishes, body trim pieces, wheel designs and exterior bets.
The biggest improvement is under the bodywork. The updated model replaces its 126kW (169hp) electric motor with a new 150kW (201hp) unit, increasing power output by nearly 40. Top speed rises from 155km/h to 180km/h, making the quirky hatchback look capable on paper. It continues to ride on 18-inch wheels, is 4,401mm long, 1,853mm wide and 1,681mm tall, has a 2,750mm wheelbase, and uses an LFP battery supplied by GWM subsidiary SVOLT, although the battery capacity is not disclosed.
The regulatory filings also suggest that GWM may rename the model Ora 6, departing from the company’s long-running cat-themed naming strategy. This change will align it with new models like the Ora 5 and the upcoming Ora 7.
A bold experiment gets another chance
When the Ora Ballet Cat launched in 2022, it wasn’t just another electric hatchback. GWM has positioned it as a lifestyle-focused EV aimed primarily at female consumers, equipped with features rarely seen elsewhere in the industry. Among them was the Lady Driving Mode, which automatically increased the distance from the cars in front to make driving less stressful. There was also a built-in selfie camera and the much-discussed Warm Man Mode, which turned on the heating cabinet and air conditioning with one tap to improve comfort during menstruation. Whether considered speculative or controversial, the features ensure that the Ballet Cat becomes one of the most talked-about EVs in China.
Unfortunately for GWM, the 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 launched in China in 2022, the Ora Ballet Cat was priced between 193,000 yuan and 223,000 yuan (about $28,480–$32,905), making it easily accessible for a rich EV. It’s paired with its retro, Volkswagen Beetle-inspired styling – with round wheels, a straight windscreen, and a slightly sloping roof – with a long list of safety features meant to stand out in China’s crowded EV market.
The affordable price is not matched by reduced specifications either. Buyers can choose between 401km and 500km CLTC driving range, and even the base model comes with Level 2 driver assistance (ORA-Pilot), making the Ballet Cat well-equipped for its price when it launches in 2022.
Rather than abandon the project, GWM appears to be taking a more practical approach. The redesigned Ballet Cat maintains the striking style that made it memorable while addressing its biggest shortcoming: performance. Combined with streamlined marketing and the company’s growing experience in EV production, the update suggests that GWM still believes there is room for a retro-inspired electric hatchback in a crowded market.
The updated Ora Ballet Cat is expected to be launched in China later this year after completing regulatory approval. Whether the added power can eventually convert curiosity into sales remains to be seen, but GWM is clearly betting that nostalgia still has a lot of mileage left in it.
