Tesla has unveiled the new ‘baby’ SUV ahead of its late 2020 premiere, promising to give consumers 480km range and a starting price of $39,000 (or $55,000 AUD).
The crossover will pack a plethora of features, as with any Tesla, including a 15-inch horizontal touchscreen, along with a 7-seat option. Musk also expects it to be βthe safest mid-sized SUV in the worldβ, with all the familiar AutoPilot active safety tech.
Musk promises to launch the Model Y in the US around October (or Fall 2020), so around 18 months from now. The delay is due to the difficulty in transitioning from prototype to series production, something that the mass-market Model 3 showed up as being extremely hard.
βThe factories are as much a part of Tesla as the product,β Musk said. βIf not more. I really think the insane difficulty of mass manufacturing a vehicle reliably and at scale is under appreciated. Itβs 100 times harder to manufacture than design.β
The following models will be available:Tesla is promising the initial Model Y range will be available:
– Long Range: 480km range, 5.5sec 0-100km/h, $47,000 US target price, or $66,000 AUD;
– Dual Motor: AWD, 448km range, 0-100km/h in 4.8sec and $51,000 US/$72,000 AUD; and
– Performance: 448km range, 0-100km/h in 3.5sec and $60,000 US/$85,000 AUD.
More Information from Tesla:
Model Y is an all-electric, mid-size SUV designed for maximum versatility and safety. Model Y will start at $39,000 for the Standard Range version, and will also come in Long Range, Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Performance variants.
Model Y is spacious enough to carry seven adults and their gear and offers leading range, superior performance, and the most advanced technology. The high-efficiency powertrain and ultra-responsive motors will provide 0-60 mph acceleration in as little as 3.5 seconds and a top speed of up to 150 mph, with excellent handling for any road condition. Model Y Standard Battery will have 230 miles of range, while Model Y Long Range will be able to travel up to 300 miles on a single charge.
Inside, Model Yβs panoramic glass roof and highΒ seatingΒ creates a feeling of spaciousness and offers an expansive view from every seat in the vehicle. The front trunk and split-folding second-row seats provide a total of 66 cubic feet (1.9 cubic meters) of storage space. Like Model 3, Model Y requires no keys, but instead connects to your smartphone for seamless entry and exit, with a single 15-inch touchscreen interface inside for all of the carβs controls. Model Y also connects with the Tesla Mobile app for unique,Β easy-to-access features like remote unlock, Summon, remote pre-conditioning, location tracking, Speed Limit Mode, and much more.
Model Y is designed to be the safest mid-size SUV. Built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the low center of gravity, rigid body structure and large crumple zones provide unparalleled protection. Its aerodynamic design and leading battery technology also make it highly-efficient in terms of energy usage, meaning you can achieve better range with less energy than other EVs on the market. Model Y is also compatible with our current Supercharger network of more than 12,000 Superchargers in 36 countries, as well as our new V3 Superchargers which can charge at rates up to 1,000 miles per hour.
Deliveries are expected to begin in Fall 2020 for Model Y Performance, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive variants, and Spring 2021 for the $39,000 Model Y Standard Range. Please visit ourΒ Design StudioΒ to see available options and current delivery estimates.
