In the Heart of Thuringia, a Cat Dances: First Ride in the Ora Ballet Cat

You might call it imitation. You might call it inspiration. Either way, nothing quite prepares you for seeing the Ora Ballet Cat up close for the first time. I met this electric charmer on a foggy morning deep in the Thuringian Forest, a landscape woven from mist, pine, and winding roads that curl through history as much as they do through geography. And on those very bends, in a place once traversed by the Beetles of decades past, a new kind of beetle purred quietly into the future.

The Ballet Cat doesn’t hum with nostalgia, it buzzes. With an unmistakable silhouette reminiscent of the classic VW Beetle, this Chinese-built EV from Ora feels like a tribute and a provocation rolled into one. But don’t be fooled by its retro curves and Swarovski sparkle. Underneath lies a surprisingly modern machine, one that dares to stir old memories while dancing confidently toward a new era.

Let’s talk about what it’s really like, behind the wheel, on the forest roads, in the real world.

Welcome to China’s Vision of a Beetle

Before I slipped behind the wheel, I took a long walk around the Ballet Cat, letting the cool Thuringian breeze carry the scent of pine and early morning dew. It stood there in soft pastel green with a white roofline, the paint gleaming with a distinctly vintage gloss. The chrome bumpers, circular headlamps, and cartoonishly curved fenders might’ve screamed Wolfsburg, but the Ora badge told a different story entirely.

This is a car that’s not built on heritage, but on memory. And in many ways, it’s a memory shaped for a new market. China has never had a true Beetle legacy, but the image, the idea, of the Beetle is alive and well there. With the Ballet Cat, it’s as if Great Wall Motors decided to recreate the Beetle through the lens of today’s design trends, market demands, and electric ambitions.

And that means it’s not just a car for looking at. It’s built to move, and more importantly, to move people.

Technical Specifications: Ora Ballet Cat

We rely on gwmanz’s official site for technical data so you get the right info every time.

Specification	Details
Powertrain	Single electric motor (FWD)
Power Output	171 hp (approx. 128 kW)
Torque	250 Nm
Battery Options	50 kWh / 60 kWh
Claimed Range	400 km / 500 km
Charging Speed	AC 6.6 kW (No DC fast charging)
0-100 km/h	Approx. 8.5 seconds
Top Speed	155 km/h
Dimensions (LxWxH)	4401 x 1867 x 1633 mm
Curb Weight	~1600 kg
Price (China, base model)	~€20,000

The Drive Through Thuringian Forest: Light, Quiet, and Surprising

The narrow B-roads outside Eisenach were still slick from overnight rain when I first pressed the start button. There was no engine rumble, no mechanical drama. Just silence, punctuated by the glow of the center screen and a soft jingle like a music box waking up.

Driving through the dense forest, the Ballet Cat felt composed. Sure, it’s not razor-sharp like a hot hatch, but that’s not the point. The electric motor’s 250 Nm of torque is available from a standstill, giving the car enough eagerness off the line to dart into gaps or climb uphill turns with ease. There’s a gentle immediacy to its power delivery. No lag, no noise, just glide.

On long descents, the regenerative braking did its job subtly. It wasn’t aggressive like in some EVs, but it slowed the car naturally and added a little charge back to the battery, always appreciated on a cold day in the woods. The Ballet Cat rides more confidently than its vintage doppelgänger ever could, thanks to a low center of gravity provided by the battery pack under the floor. Body roll was minimal through curves, and while the steering felt light, clearly tuned for urban convenience rather than rural carving, it always gave a sense of control.

And then there was the silence. On roads where you’d expect engine grumble, you hear birds. You hear wind through trees. It made the drive almost meditative.

When new energy meets retro design. #GWM #ORA Ballet Cat is ready to express elegancy with its exterior and interior. #GWMNEVDAY #AutoGuangzhou2023 #GoLongGoWithTheWorld #GoWithMore #GWMFocus pic.twitter.com/2N2VaTP1pp

— GWM Global (@GWMGlobal) November 22, 2023

Interior: Princess Playland or Digital Sanctuary?

Here’s where it gets controversial. Step inside the Ora Ballet Cat, and it feels like entering a boutique hotel room designed for a social media influencer. There are Swarovski crystals embedded in the center console, a fold-out vanity mirror with Hollywood lighting, and even a slot for lipstick next to the wireless charger.

It’s obvious that Ora is targeting a very specific demographic, Chinese women with modern lifestyles and a taste for nostalgia. But once you look past the glitter, there’s some serious tech hiding inside. Dual digital displays show everything from real-time range data to navigation and even a built-in selfie camera with WeChat integration. The climate control system even offers a mode called “Warm Man,” which cranks up the heat and ambient lighting for cozy vibes during cold commutes.

While I might’ve rolled my eyes at some of the features initially, I couldn’t deny their functionality. It’s quirky, yes, but it works. The heated seats were a blessing as I made my way toward Oberhof, and the optional voice assistant was surprisingly intuitive. You can even set a romantic driving mode that dims the cabin lights and cues soft music. Not something I needed during a solo test drive in the woods, but still, impressive.

Practicality and Range: Not a Marathon Dancer, but Light on Its Feet

With the 60 kWh battery version under me, I was theoretically good for about 500 kilometers. In reality, with moderate heater use and some enthusiastic acceleration, I was trending closer to 420. That’s still very respectable for a compact EV, especially one that doesn’t offer fast charging.

And that’s the Ballet Cat’s biggest flaw, it’s slow to recharge. With no DC fast-charging support, you’re stuck with a 6.6 kW AC charger. I plugged into a local café’s Type 2 charger near Schmalkalden for a mid-day break, and in the span of two hours, I only gained about 100 km of range. That might work in a city or for short countryside loops, but it’s a limitation for road-trippers.

Storage-wise, the rear boot is modest, and there’s no frunk because the front houses the motor. Still, with the seats folded, you could toss in a couple of overnight bags or a week’s worth of groceries, plenty for urbanites or weekend getaways.

How It Made Me Feel: Modern Joy, Wrapped in Memory

By the time I reached the Rennsteig ridge trail, the sun was low, casting golden light over the moss-covered slopes and quiet hamlets. I pulled over to take in the view, and the silence. That’s when it hit me.

This isn’t just a car. It’s an idea. It’s a memory that someone in China decided to preserve and reboot, blending charm with tech, femininity with function. As someone who grew up watching Herbie movies and riding in a rusting Beetle with my uncle, the Ballet Cat didn’t just move me forward, it pulled me backward, too. Emotionally, not just physically.

It’s not perfect. The clichés in the marketing material might make your skin crawl. The lack of fast charging is a practical drawback. And yes, it borrows heavily from Volkswagen’s design history.

But it works. And it makes you feel something. That’s more than I can say about a lot of modern EVs.

Conclusion: A Modern Fairy Tale on Four Wheels

The Ora Ballet Cat is not just a quirky EV, it’s a cultural artifact. Born in China, dressed like Germany’s most iconic car, and driven through one of Europe’s most romantic landscapes, it felt like an automotive fairy tale. With honest performance, clever packaging, and unabashed charm, it’s a glimpse into how electric cars can still carry emotion.

Is it the real Beetle reborn? Not quite. But it’s the Beetle’s distant cousin who studied fashion, moved to Beijing, and learned a thing or two about the digital world.

And honestly? I’d drive it again tomorrow.