Tesla Updates Model Y With Ambient Lighting, New Wheels and Improved Performance in China
Tesla China quietly unveiled an upgraded Model Y, showcasing several modifications designed to keep up with the recently revealed Model 3 refresh and the soon-to-be rolling off the production line - Cybertruck. Tesla China made its grand announcement on its official Weibo account, captioning the unveiling as the Model Y's "evolutionary debut."
Not Quite a Refresh, Yet Noteworthy
While the latest tweaks don't qualify the Model Y for a complete refresh label, they narrow the gap between it and the refreshed Model 3 Highland. Potential buyers will now find themselves weighing the merits of the updated Model Y against its all-new Highland.
We are expecting a full refresh for the Model Y, known as Juniper. However, it may be safe to say that the Highland stole the thunder as the Model 3 and Model Y are similar, so that you can guess the upcoming changes for the Model Y.
Changes in This Refresh
Dashboard & Ambient Lighting: The wood veneer trim has been stripped from the Model Y's dash. Replacing it is a textile trim, similar to the new Model 3. Along the dashboard Tesla has introduced RGB ambient lighting - to better match the Model 3. Given that the dashboard remains the same, this begs the question of whether these changes could be retrofitted to the current Model 3 and Model Y.
Wheel Upgrades: Stepping away from the traditional silver, the new Model Y now sports 19-inch black Gemini wheels. These aren't just aesthetically pleasing but also enhance the Model Y RWD's range by approximately 5 miles, taking it to 344 miles by the CLTC standard.
Performance Enhancements: There's more to the new Model Y than meets the eye. The Dual-Motor AWD Long Range version has seen a range uptick of around 17 miles, offering 428 miles on a single charge. Additionally, with a wind resistance coefficient refined to 0.23, the Model Y is a testament to Tesla's commitment to efficiency.
Performance: Tesla has improved the 0 to 100 km/h time of the Model Y as well. According to Tesla, this update will have the Model Y reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds.
FSD Hardware: According to Teslarati, Tesla China's Customer Support team confirmed that the updated Model Y does not include FSD hardware 4.0.
Pricing & Promotional Updates:
The Model Y RWD is priced at RMB 263,900 ($36,742 USD), while the Long Range and Performance variants come in at RMB 299,900 ($41,755 USD) and RMB 349,900 ($48,716), respectively.
In a bid to give new customers added incentives, Tesla China also announced that up until October 31, a referral bonus would also be in play. By leveraging the referral program, new Tesla buyers can get a discount on their final payment and enjoy a 90-day trial period of Enhanced Autopilot.
Although many didn't expect this update to the Model Y, it's not surprising given the excitement around the new Model 3. What this tells us is that the Model Y refresh may not be as close as initially speculated. While these upgrades are visually exciting, they're fairly minor and can be done without major changes to Tesla's production lines. Tesla hopes to narrow the gap between the new Model 3 and the Model Y and prevent buyers from holding out for the refreshed Model Y.
This minor update to the Model Y does not include some of the major updates to the Model 3, such as ventilated seats, improved cabin materials, the new suspension or the blind spot indicator.
As the fourth quarter unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the market reacts to Tesla's latest offering and whether this evolutionary debut lives up to its billing.