The Chinese clone original Beetles as electric four-door vehicles

A Chinese manufacturer is showing pure retro and is launching an e-car in the style of a Beetle from the 50s. Customers can vote on the name.

Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors’ Ora brand focuses on small electric cars – and copies. After Ora has already thrown a Smart For Four clone on the market, the company is now reaching into the retro box even more: The next target is the VW Beetle. Ora took up the look of the classic from 1950 and now showed a body with lots of chrome and oval taillights. The biggest difference to the original also seems to be in the exterior: the copy has four doors.

The so far only interior view of the car, which is to celebrate its premiere at the Shanghai Motor Show next week, also takes the viewer back in time. The steering wheel has the typical metal horn ring, while the doors and air outlets are dominated by chrome. With their fine lamellas, the latter are reminiscent of the turbine look of the time. The seats look like a sofa. Where the gear stick protrudes on the combustion engine, the still nameless car has a chrome-plated rotary knob.

Inside, a lot is reminiscent of the original Beetle from the 50s. (Image: Ora)

Speaking of the name: Ora has already brought six candidates into play. They are “Spirit Cat”, “Punk Cat”, “Noble Cat”, “Posh Cat”, “Royal Cat” and “Bridge Cat”. An online vote ends on April 18, just on the first day of the automobile exhibition on which the retro work of art celebrates its premiere. At this point, Ora will also reveal the technical specifications and prices. The scene is also eagerly awaiting the reaction of the Volkswagen Group.

The rear section also has clear borrowings from the VW Type 1 people’s car, which later became known as the Beetle. (Image: Ora)

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