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New Delhi: Since February 2018, Volkswagen hasn’t sold Beetles in India. However, in China, there is a company building its own Beetle-inspired EV called Ora Ballet Cat, and it might have been improved. It is a type of modern interpretation of the original Type 1 Beetle, integrating retro styling, some modern technology and a slightly slimmer shape. 

The Ora Ballet Cat made its debut in 2022. The quirky electric hatchback is, to an extent, a niche product, with annual sales numbering only a few thousand units.

For 2026, Ora has focused on improving the car’s performance with a new electric motor. The updated unit replaces the previous motor, which produced 169hp. According to data from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the revised Ballet Cat now develops 201hp. Its top speed has also increased from 154 kph to 180 kph, while a new lithium-iron phosphate battery powers the updated model.

The rest of the car remains largely unchanged, retaining the unusual features that have helped distinguish the Ballet Cat from other EVs. These include a large vanity mirror designed for applying makeup while on the move, a selfie camera capable of uploading images to social media and a ‘Warm Man Mode’ that rapidly heats the cabin at the touch of a button.

Despite the updates, the Ora Ballet Cat is unlikely to be sold in the US anytime soon. Its retro-inspired design, however, continues to raise the question of whether Volkswagen could eventually revive the Beetle nameplate in an electric or modernised form. To be very honest, the Ora’s faux Beetle does look quite fun and with some interesting features, it is a modern interpretation of a classic car done right. The extra power should be something that interests buyers in China. It goes to show that the style still works after so many years.