The Ora Ballet Cat, a Beetle inspired EV, gets a more powerful motor for 2026.
It increases its output from 169 to 201 horsepower.
The updated model also gets a new lithium iron phosphate battery.

The Volkswagen Beetle has not been sold in the US since 2019 when the Final Edition ended the New Beetle revival. Yet a Chinese firm produces its own electric version inspired by the classic design and it has now received meaningful improvements.

The Ora Ballet Cat offers a fresh take on the original Type 1 Beetle with retro looks paired to modern engineering and a trimmer profile. It arrived in 2022 but remains a niche offering with only a few thousand units sold annually. Prices begin near 193000 yuan or roughly 28000 dollars.

Ora Ballet Cat

Photo by: Ora

For 2026 the brand aims to draw more customers through mechanical revisions. The key update replaces the prior motor rated at 169 horsepower.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reports via CarNewsChina that the revised Ballet Cat now produces 201 hp. Top speed rises from 96 mph to 112 mph. Energy comes from a fresh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.

Outside the powertrain few exterior or feature changes appear. The Ballet Cat retains distinctive touches such as a large vanity mirror for on the go makeup application a selfie camera that uploads directly to social platforms and Warm Man Mode for rapid cabin heating.

What do you think?

Prospects for US sales remain slim. Still optimism persists that Volkswagen may one day revive the Beetle in electric form.

Source: Ora

Motor1's Take: Knockoff or not the Ora Ballet Cat brings genuine charm with its cute styling and clever features. Added power should help it appeal more strongly to buyers in China this year.

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Source: MIIT via CarNewsChina