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By JU
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A make-up mirror, a driving mode for women and a heating function for menstrual pain: the Chinese electric Beetle ORA Ballet Cat is attracting attention with its equipment and design. Headlights, sweeping wings, an unmistakable resemblance to the VW Beetle.
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Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor has developed an electric car that is explicitly aimed at women. Its features include, among other things, a make-up mirror, a special driving mode and a function designed to help with menstrual discomfort.
On its website, the ORA Ballet Cat is presented, among other colours, in pink.
With this concept, ORA, the Chinese brand belonging to car manufacturer Great Wall Motor (GWM), brought the electric car to market in 2022. A technical update is now planned: the motor is to deliver more power and the top speed will increase. The model could also be renamed ORA 6 in future.
The price is the equivalent of around 24,900 to 28,800 euros (193,300 yuan for the version with a 49.93 kWh battery and 223,000 yuan for the version with 60.5 kWh), according to CarNewsChina.
An electric car “just for women” in the style of the German VW Beetle
The ORA Ballet Cat was launched in China in 2022 as an “exclusive car for women”. To this end, the manufacturer has fitted the interior with various details intended to appeal to female customers, including an illuminated make-up mirror, a compartment for cosmetics and an integrated selfie camera. Particular attention has focused on the so-called “Warm Man” mode, which activates the seat heating and climate control at the touch of a single button. According to the manufacturer, the function is meant to improve comfort during menstruation.
In addition to these features, the Ballet Cat offers a so-called “Lady Driving Mode” that bundles driver-assistance and comfort functions, including adaptive cruise control and parking assist systems.
More power and possibly a new name
The model is now to be upgraded technically. The electric motor will in future deliver 150 kilowatts, roughly 204 horsepower. Previously it produced 126 kilowatts, or around 171 horsepower. The top speed is set to rise from 155 to 180 kilometres per hour. According to current reports, there will be little change to the bodywork and overall design.
The lithium iron phosphate battery from supplier SVOLT is also expected to remain in use. Details of the battery capacity and range of the revised version have not yet been published. In addition, the vehicle could in future be marketed as ORA 6, according to CarNewsChina. However, the renaming of the Ballet Cat has not yet been officially confirmed.
Despite all the attention, commercial success for the Ballet Cat has remained limited. According to CarNewsChina, a total of 8,523 vehicles were delivered in China between July 2022 and June 2026.
When is a car women-friendly?
The Ballet Cat shows how carmakers are trying to target new customer groups. However, height, seating position and individual comfort needs can vary from person to person, regardless of gender.
In China, the concept has been criticised, for example by specialist outlet CarNewsChina, which took issue with the stereotypical focus of individual functions. The “Lady Driving Mode” could, for instance, give the impression that women are less safe behind the wheel. The “Warm Man” mode, which activates the seat heating and air conditioning to ease menstrual discomfort, could be perceived as “offensive”, according to CarNewsChina.
An electric Beetle for everyone
Alongside the Ballet Cat, ORA has unveiled another retro-style electric car, the Punk Cat. This model, too, recalls the classic VW Beetle with its rounded body and distinctive headlights.
The Punk Cat was presented at the Shanghai motor show in 2021 and sparked debate because of its similarity to the Volkswagen.
Unlike the Ballet Cat, however, this model was not primarily marketed as a car for women. A production version under this name has not gone into series manufacture.
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