Ora Ballet Cat
The Ora Ballet Cat is a new EV from Great Wall Motors, inspired by the classic Volkswagen Beetle. Designed for women, it features a 500 km range, 60 kWh battery, 155 km/h top speed, and a unique female-friendly design. Priced at US$ 20,640, it's a standout in China's electric vehicle market.
| Body Type | minicar |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Manufactured in | China |
| Battery Capacity (kWh) | 60 |
| Electric range (mi) | 311 |
| Max. Speed (mi/h) | 96 |
| 0-62 mi/h (sec) | 6.7 |
| Power (h.p.) | 171 |
| Drive Type | FWD |
* Minimum price set for the base trim by the manufacturer
Exterior and Interior photos of Ora Ballet Cat
What is the Ora Ballet Cat?
Introducing the Ora Ballet Cat: An Electric Marvel for Women
The Ora Ballet Cat is a car that VOLKSWAGEN would like to develop on its own; a cool retro version of the original, in which all the shortcomings are removed. Instead, VOLKSWAGEN gave us the bulky ID.3, which is also made in China, but no one seems to care or even know about it. They certainly know about the new ORA Ballet Cat, perhaps the most important electric vehicle in China this year.
The ORA Ballet Cat is aimed almost exclusively at women, both in terms of PR and technical features. It comes in soft colors, with additional apps aimed at women, and one really fancy feature aimed at reducing a woman's discomfort during her period. We will look at this in detail.
Retro Design and Modern Touch
The design of the ORA Ballet Car is clearly inspired by the classic VOLKSWAGEN Beetle. The most obvious improvement over the original is the addition of extra door space. The engine is located in the front rather than the rear, and the ORA is electric, whereas the old Beetle ran on gasoline. The third side window on the C-pillar is fake.
Exceptional Range and Performance
Looking at its performance, the Ora Ballet Cat offers a substantial range of 500 km on a single charge, housing a 60 kWh battery. It can hit a top speed of 155 km/h and dashes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds. This not only provides a sufficient range for daily commutes but also makes it a capable vehicle for longer journeys.
Power and Battery Specifications
Beyond range, the Ballet Cat comes equipped with 171 horsepower, making it quite nimble for an electric hatchback. The battery's 60 kWh capacity ensures that the car can deliver its promised range, and the front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup ensures a balanced driving experience.
Luxurious and Practical Interior
Inside, the Ora Ballet Cat is all about luxury tailored for women. The soft color palette and female-oriented apps provide a unique user experience. One standout feature is the specific program designed to alleviate women's discomfort during their periods, showcasing the brand's commitment to addressing their primary audience's needs.
Comparing the Size
The Ballet Cat is bigger than it looks: 4401/1880/1633 mm with a 2750 mm wheelbase. To get an idea of Ballet Cat's size, check out this comparison – it sits comfortably larger than the Volkswagen Beetle (A5), produced from 2011 to 2019, which measures 4278/1808/1486 mm, 2537 mm wheelbase.
How does it compare?
Ora Ballet Cat vs. Other Electric Vehicles
The Ora Ballet Cat is a car that Volkswagen would like to develop on its own; a cool retro version of the original, in which all the shortcomings are removed. Instead, Volkswagen gave us the bulky ID.3, which is also made in China, but no one seems to care or even know about it. They certainly know about the new ORA Ballet Cat, perhaps the most important electric vehicle in China this year.
Range
When it comes to range, the Ora Ballet Cat excels with a dazzling 500 km (310 miles) per charge, putting it ahead of several competitors. The Mini Electric, for example, manages a mere 233 km (145 miles), which is almost half the Ballet Cat's range. The Fiat 500 Electric fares slightly better at 320 km (199 miles), yet still doesn't match up to the Ballet Cat's capability. Meanwhile, the Honda e comes in last at a paltry 220 km (137 miles).
Acceleration
Let's talk acceleration—0 to 100 km/h. The ORA Ballet Cat manages this in a respectable 6.7 seconds. It's not ludicrous speed, but for a hatchback, it's more than sprightly. The Mini Electric pulls off a slightly slower 7.3 seconds, while the Fiat 500 Electric is almost leisurely at 9.0 seconds. The Honda e, lets face it, is having a nap at 9.5 seconds. Winner? ORA Ballet Cat, no doubt.
Power
The ORA Ballet Cat puts out a robust 171 horsepower, and while it's not a track star, you'll never feel like it's dragging its wheels. Compare that to the Mini Electric which has a higher 181 hp, but isn't leagues away. The Fiat 500 Electric is left behind with 118 hp, making it more of a leisurely drive. The Honda e, well, with 152 hp, sits somewhere in the middle but isn't exactly thrilling.
Charging Time
Now, no one likes to be stuck waiting for their car to charge. The ORA Ballet Cat takes the standard 8-10 hours for a full charge with a home charger, typical of its class. The Mini Electric does it faster with about 4 hours on a fast charger, while the Fiat 500 Electric takes around 5 hours. The Honda e also sits in the range of 4.1 hours for a fast charge. If you’re charging overnight, the difference is like splitting hairs.
Price
Here's the financial bit. The ORA Ballet Cat is delightfully affordable at around US$ 20,640 (£16,000 / €19,200). The Mini Electric demands more cash at approximately US$ 30,000 (£23,200 / €28,000). The Fiat 500 Electric is no bargain either, starting at roughly US$ 32,500 (£25,000 / €30,250). Finally, the Honda e isn't kind on the wallet with prices kicking off around US$ 35,000 (£26,7000 / €32,300). Clearly, the Ballet Cat is the budget-friendly yet stylish option.
