GWM has even recently updated its Beetle-clone with more power… and possibly a new name.
While Volkswagen may have bid adieu to the Beetle just before Covid, its iconic shape actually still (somehow) lives on to this day. Such is because in China at least, one can still purchase an Ora Ballet Cat from GWM… which bears more than a striking resemblance to the iconic vee-dub Bug.
Now to be fair, its design more accurately looks like someone describing the latest-era Beetle over the phone, or perhaps through a really blurry fax. But it nevertheless still stands that one can buy something that looks (almost) like the aforementioned VW. And the even more surprising news is that GWM has recently updated the Ballet Cat with a bit more power… and maybe even a new name.
Starting with the extra power first, recent MIIT filings have revealed that the updated Ballet Cat will now pack a 150 kW electric motor, up from the outgoing car’s 126 kW unit. That healthy increase in output should translate into livelier acceleration, while top speed also rises from 155 km/h to 180 km/h.
As for the name change meanwhile, it has been indicated that the Ballet Cat could soon be renamed the Ora 6. This would see it move away from GWM’s previous feline naming scheme, in favour of the more conventional numerical system already used by models like the Ora 07 (which itself bears more than a passing resemblance to the Porsche Panamera).
Elsewhere, the Ballet Cat appears to remain largely unchanged. Its Beetle-esque silhouette continues to be complemented by mound-shaped headlights and taillights that likely help it sidestep copyright concerns, while it is also perhaps the only modern road car to still feature chromed protruding bumpers at both ends.
Positioned as a car for women, the Ballet Cat’s interior features several female-centric touches. These include a large vanity mirror designed to make applying makeup easier, dedicated storage compartments for lip gloss and foundation, and even a selfie camera capable of automatically uploading photos to social media.
And if that was not overtly sexist enough, the Ballet Cat also comes with what GWM calls a “Lady Driving Mode”, which supposedly keeps extra distance from vehicles ahead. There is also a “Warm Man Mode” that activates the heater and air conditioning with a single press to help reduce discomfort during menstruation.
The Ora Ballet Cat first entered the Chinese market in 2022 with prices ranging from 193,000 to 223,000 yuan (approximately RM 115,000 to RM 130,000). Pricing for this updated model has yet to be announced, though it is unlikely to stray too far from the outgoing car.
One more thing too — it is not exactly a common sight on Chinese roads either. Cumulative deliveries totalled just 8,523 units between July 2022 and June 2026, making it one of GWM’s more niche offerings despite its unmistakable styling.
