New Delhi: Tesla, the maker of the world’s largest selling electric cars, on Friday in Los Angeles unveiled its fourth car – the Model Y, a compact SUV that is smaller than the Model X and seats 7.
The top-end Model Y is based on the Model 3 platform and shares 75 per cent of components with it. It has frameless doors like in Model 3 and Model S, unlike the falcon wing doors found on Model X. It is 10 per cent larger than Model 3 and, according to Tesla co-founder Elon Musk, has “the functionality of an SUV, but rides like a sports car,” with a low centre of gravity and a 0.23 drag coefficient.
Prices:
Model Y Long Range (482km) – $47,000 (around Rs 32.55 lakh)
Model Y Performance Version (450km) – $60,000 (around Rs 41.55 lakh)
Model Y Standard Range (370km) – $39,000 (roughly Rs 27 lakh)
The performance version with dual motors will have a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, the long range will do it in 5.5 seconds and the standard will have a 5.9 second time. The performance version will have a top speed of 241 kmph.
“It has the functionality of an SUV, but will ride like a sports car,” said Musk, “So this thing will be really tight on corners,” he added.
Like the Model 3, the Model Y also gets a panoramic glass roof.
The Model Y is expected to arrive in the autumn of 2020. The Standard Range version will come later in Spring 2021.
It will be compatible with Tesla’s 3rd gen Superchargers, that have 250kW charging or 1,609kmph. The Model Y can get 120km in just 5 minutes using these chargers. There are more than 12,000 Superchargers across 36 countries now.
The interiors are similar to the Model 3 with a single 15-inch touchscreen interface that has all the car’s controls. There is Autopilot as well.
Considering the demand for SUVs, Musk believes that Tesla will sell more Model Ys than the rest of their fleet.
