K key specification details for the 2022 GWM Ora Ballet Cat have been announced.

The five-door, retro-inspired electric hatch will go on sale in China in late March, despite concerns over its similarities to the Volkswagen Beetle.

A spokesperson for the German brand said Carscoops it investigates the vehicle “with regard to any violation of the utility model or design rights of Volkswagen AG and reserves the right to take all necessary legal action”.

As the so-called “feminine” version of the GWM Ora Punk Cat – which debuted at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show – the Ballet Cat replaces the circular Beetle-inspired headlights and taillights with an iron-like set on horseback.

There’s also less chrome trim and minor tweaks to the front and rear bumpers, along with two-tone paint and more complex alloy wheels.

The Ballet Cat’s dimensions are similar in nature to smaller sedans – such as the Hyundai i30, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla – at 4401 millimeters long and 1867 mm wide.

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With a height of 1633mm and a wheelbase of 2750mm, it could also pass for a small or medium SUV – with the EV skateboard deck allowing for a chunky footprint, much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

It will be offered with a single 126 kW/250 Nm electric motor powering the front wheels, combined with a choice of a 47.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or 59.1 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The electric range would be over 500 kilometers, with a top speed of 155 km/h.

Chinese pricing has yet to be announced, but it’s unlikely to stray far from the Punk Cat, which starts at ¥103,900 (AU$23,122) and goes up to ¥143,900 (AU$32,024) .

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Above: GWM Ora Cat 01

While the GWM Ora Ballet Cat and Punk Cat are highly unlikely to expand beyond China’s borders, the electric vehicle brand is gearing up for a local launch.

“Under the overwhelming wave of electrification, as one of the important areas of Great Wall Motor’s global strategy map, the Australian market showcased the electrified product lineup in a forward-looking manner,” the company said in a statement. .

“In 2022, the first batch of electric models will be launched in Australia, including the pure-electric brand Ora.”

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The first model to arrive will be the GWM Ora Cat 01 ( pictured above ), which offers a choice of 48kWh or 63kWh batteries powering a 126kW/250Nm motor driving the front wheels.

Although priced at around £25,000 in the UK (AU$46,000), the hatchback could undercut the MG ZS EV at $44,990 when it arrives locally, making it the ultimate electric vehicle. Australia’s cheapest.