Tesla delivers long-wheelbase Model Y in China

A few weeks after the sales launch, Tesla has delivered the first Model Y L vehicles to customers in China. Additionally, the recently unveiled Model Y Performance is rolling off the production line at the Tesla factory in Germany.

Tesla itself announced the start of nationwide deliveries via its Weibo account and published photos of the handover ceremony. These are vehicles that were ordered during the pre-sale period that began in mid-August. According to the Chinese Tesla website, customers who order a Model Y L now are expected to receive their vehicle in October.

The Model Y L is available in China from 339,000 yuan (currently around 40,600 euros), which is slightly above the price of the familiar five-seater variants (263,500 to 313,500 yuan). However, in addition to the modified body (more on that here), the Model Y L offers several other improvements. For example, it features a new generation of batteries with cells from LGES, which have an energy content of 82.0 kWh. The five-seater Model Y Long Range AWD has a 78.4 kWh battery. As a result, despite its higher weight, the Model Y L has a slightly higher CLTC range of 751 kilometres. In addition, the interior features a 16-inch touchscreen (instead of the previous 15-inch) with significantly higher resolution.

CN EV Post expects Tesla’s sales in China to increase slightly with the start of deliveries of the Model Y L. With the 4.98-metre-long Model Y L, Tesla can serve additional customer groups for whom the ‘normal’ Model Y, at just under 4.80 metres, is too short. The August figures for Tesla are not yet available, but it will be interesting to see the comparison at the beginning of October when the figures for September with the Model Y L are available.

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Image: Tesla

Tesla is also working on expanding the Model Y range in Europe – but with another drive version rather than a new body style. As the company itself confirmed on X, production of the recently unveiled Model Y Performance has begun at Giga Berlin in Brandenburg. The most powerful Model Y version has been in series production since 1 September.

Unveiled at the end of August, the Model Y Performance is €2,000 more expensive than its predecessor, but in addition to the usual performance changes (such as more power, lowered suspension, 21-inch wheels, rear spoiler), it also offers the innovations introduced in the Model Y L. With the 82 kWh battery, internally known as 5M, the range increases by 66 kilometres to 580 kilometres (according to WLTP), and the new screen is also installed inside.

cnevpost.com (Model Y L), x.com (Model Y Performance)

This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.