Retro styling is having a moment in the electric car world. Citroën has just revived its iconic 2CV as a battery-powered city car, and the Fiat 500 has long been a favourite in urban Europe. Now a Chinese manufacturer is betting that nostalgia can work in the Middle Kingdom too – with a car that openly channels the Volkswagen Beetle, but with a twist aimed squarely at women.
Great Wall Motor's ORA brand launched the Ballet Cat in China in 2022 as an “exclusive car for women”. The design is unmistakably Beetle-esque: rounded headlights, sweeping wings and a curvaceous body that echoes the German classic. But the interior is where the car tries to stand apart. It comes with an illuminated make-up mirror, a compartment for cosmetics and even an integrated selfie camera. There is also a so-called “Warm Man” mode that activates seat heating and climate control at the touch of a button, which the manufacturer says is meant to improve comfort during menstruation.
The car also offers a “Lady Driving Mode” that bundles driver-assistance and comfort functions, including adaptive cruise control and parking assist. The idea is to make driving easier and more relaxing, but the naming has drawn criticism. Chinese automotive outlet CarNewsChina has questioned whether such features reinforce stereotypes, suggesting that a “Lady Driving Mode” could imply women are less capable behind the wheel, and that the menstrual comfort function might be seen as patronising rather than helpful.
More power, new name?
Despite the attention, the Ballet Cat has not been a commercial blockbuster. According to CarNewsChina, only 8,523 units were delivered in China between July 2022 and June 2026. Now Great Wall Motor is preparing a technical update. The electric motor will deliver 150 kilowatts (about 204 horsepower), up from 126 kW (171 hp), and the top speed will rise from 155 to 180 kilometres per hour. The lithium iron phosphate battery from supplier SVOLT is expected to remain, though capacity and range details have not been released. The model could also be renamed ORA 6, although that has not been officially confirmed.
The Ballet Cat is not the only retro-styled EV from ORA. The Punk Cat, unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in 2021, also borrows heavily from the Beetle with its rounded body and distinctive headlights. That model sparked debate over how closely Chinese manufacturers can imitate iconic Western designs without crossing legal or ethical lines.
For European observers, the trend raises a familiar question: when does homage become copying? The Beetle, like the 2CV and the Mini, is part of Europe's automotive heritage. Seeing those shapes reappear in Chinese electric cars – often with a modern, tech-heavy interior – is both flattering and unsettling. It also highlights how quickly China's EV industry has moved from being a low-cost producer to a design-led competitor, even if the inspiration is sometimes borrowed.
The Ballet Cat's focus on female drivers is itself a notable shift in a market where cars are usually marketed with gender-neutral or even masculine imagery. But the execution has been criticised for being reductive. Car design experts point out that ergonomics, seating position and comfort needs vary widely among individuals, regardless of gender. A car that assumes all women want a make-up mirror and a “lady mode” may miss the mark for many potential buyers.
Still, the retro wave is not limited to China. In Europe, the Citroën 2CV's electric return has been a highlight of the Paris Motor Show, and the Fiat 500e continues to sell well. The appeal of these designs lies in their ability to evoke a simpler, more optimistic era – something that transcends borders. Whether the Ballet Cat can win over European buyers remains to be seen, but it is already part of a broader conversation about how electric mobility can be both practical and personal.
As the EU and China negotiate trade terms for electric vehicles, the Ballet Cat also serves as a reminder of the competitive pressure European automakers face. With its retro looks and tech-heavy features, the Chinese car is not just a copy – it is a statement that the future of the automobile may be shaped as much in Shanghai as in Wolfsburg.
