► New Tesla Model Y is a baby SUV
► Completes Tesla S, 3, X, Y range
► Crossover-ish partner to Model 3
After a long wait, Tesla has finally confirmed the Model Y is now on sale in the UK. Tesla says its online 'design studio' has gone live, allowing you to start building your new electric crossover.
Tesla has been around for a while now, and in that time the EV brand has carved out its own design language. Cybertruck aside, all Tesla models look roughly the same: sloping rooflines, grille-less front-ends and chrome details are pretty much the norm, now.
It’s natural, then, that the Model Y doesn’t stray from the family look – it just looks like a slightly taller Model 3. The rear half is arguably better proportioned than a Model X, though, and its shape hides a party trick we’ll come on to later.
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What platform is the Model Y based on?
It's not just looks the Model Y shares with the Model 3. The Tesla Model Y slots underneath the Model X in terms of size, but CEO Elon Musk said the new crossover will share 75% of its parts with the current Model 3.
This is most evident when it comes to the interior – it’s pretty much exactly the same design as the 3's cabin, complete with a large central touchscreen display providing all of your required information in one place. Whether that's a good or a bad thing depends on your thoughts on touchscreens...
Tesla says Autopilot is still a thing, as is remote unlock via an app (a key is so 20th century), the usual summon function and preconditioning.
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The Model Y is a seven-seater
So that party trick? The Model Ycan be a seven-seater. The brand says its baby SUV has ‘room for up to seven adults’ with its optional third row. We’ll be the judge of that, given our experiences with our own Model S long-term test car’s boot-mounted pews. The second row also split-folds and total storage space is claimed at more than 1800 litres.
We've seen pictures of the third-row seats on a Japanese blog, and attributed to Reddit – and those hoping for seven comfortable passengers are going to be disappointed. Just look at the setup below!
What will the electric range be? How far will the Model Y go on one charge?
The Model Y has two battery and range options in the UK: Long Range AWD and Performance. A Long Range model has a claimed 315-mile range, while the Performance option claims 298 miles.
As for other performance specs, the Long Range AWD will take 4.8 seconds to get to 62mph and hit 135mph; the Performance takes 3.5 seconds and will manage 150mph. Like every Tesla, the Y can access the Supercharger network including the latest V3 ones for superior fast charging.
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Okay… when can I buy a Tesla Model Y and how much will it cost?
After long delays, Tesla says that the Model Y is now available to be configured for order in the UK, with the first deliveries arriving in 'early 2022.' In the UK, a Long Range model starts at £54,990, while a Performance version is £64,990.
Well, Tesla says deliveries are ‘expected’ to start around autumn of 2021 for all versions bar the standard one, with that last model aiming to start appearing on driveways in spring of 2022.
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