Tesla Model Y upgraded in China

Hot on the heels of the facelifted and closely-related Tesla Model 3 sedan, an updated version of the Tesla Model Y – Australia’s top-selling EV and mid-size SUV so far this year – has been quietly revealed in China ahead of its anticipated arrival in local showrooms in about 12 months.

The headline upgrades for the carsales Best Electric Car of 2023 are improved performance and extended driving ranges for certain variants, including a full second shaved off the 0-100km/h time (now 5.9sec) and an extra 9km of range (now 544km) for the base RWD variant, while the Long Range scores an extra 28km of range (now 688km) according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).

No mechanical changes have been made to the flagship Performance version, but all variants have inherited a new adjustable ambient lighting strip across the dashboard, along with a new fabric/textile trim finish instead of imitation wood.

Tesla hasn’t detailed how the RWD’s extra performance was achieved, but chances are the base model has scored a new and more powerful drive motor, while tweaked battery software is the likely reason for the longer range offered by both the single-motor RWD and dual-motor Long Range.

It’s yet to be officially confirmed whether the updated Model Y will be offered in Australia, but it seems likely given our vehicles are sourced from the same Shanghai factory as the Chinese-market versions, which for reference haven’t been slapped with any sort of price increase.

All three Chinese grades are offered in our market, where pricing currently starts from $65,400 plus on-road costs.

Right now, Australia’s eponymously-named base model is claimed to cover up to 455km on the WLTP cycle and hit 100km/h in 6.9sec, while both the dual-motor $78,400 Long Range (533km, 5.0sec) and $92,560 Performance (514km, 3.7sec) are quicker and offer a longer range.

Tesla Australia had delivered 19,646 examples of the Model Y as of August 31, making it Australia’s most popular SUV bar the MG ZS and the nation’s best-selling premium mid-size SUV more than four times over with a 45.4 per cent share of the segment.

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