Ora Ballet Cat EV for women launches with makeup mirror and Warm Man Mode

Chinese automaker Ora, a sub‑brand of Great Wall Motors, has introduced an updated version of its Ballet Cat electric car. The vehicle retains a retro design that closely mirrors the Volkswagen Beetle, but now sits on a larger platform with a 204 hp motor, raising its top speed from 155 km/h to 180 km/h. It continues to use a lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery, though detailed range figures have not been released.

The model is marketed primarily to women and includes a series of gender‑targeted features: a large LED‑lit vanity mirror, dedicated compartments for cosmetics, an interior selfie camera, and a “Warm Man Mode” that automatically increases cabin heating during a woman’s menstrual cycle – described by the maker as a way to “warm the body and mind.” These additions have sparked criticism for reinforcing gender stereotypes, while the car’s near‑identical styling to the classic Beetle raises potential intellectual‑property concerns. No official plans for European sales have been announced.

The rollout was documented through Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filings rather than a formal marketing campaign, highlighting the model’s technical upgrades and its controversial positioning in the global market.