Brilliant New Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Majors on Affordability.
Brilliant New Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive Majors on Affordability.
The new Tesla Model Y features extensive re-engineering, maximizing efficiency, comfort, connectivity, and safety, with a completely redesigned interior and exterior. Ever since the launch of the original Model Y it has been praised globally for its versatility, ease of use, practicality, safety, and efficiency, all at an accessible price point, and the new Model Y successfully builds upon Tesla’s enviable reputation.
Global Best-Seller.
In 2023, Model Y made history by becoming the first-ever electric vehicle to top the global best-selling vehicle list, across all powertrains and energy types, and this is proof that electric vehicles appeal to a broad audience and are suitable for a wide range of scenarios. Produced in Europe for Europeans at the Tesla Berlin-Brandenburg Gigafactory since 2022, the Model Y has had a significant impact on transitioning the local fleet to sustainable transport, in line with Tesla’s mission. With the introduction of the new Model Y, Tesla builds on a global best-selling platform to bring a new benchmark to the market. Considering the feedback from owners, Tesla’s engineering and design teams have developed the new Model Y incorporating significant improvements in refinement, premium-ness and ergonomics in every area, while not departing from what made it a global bestseller. The new Model Y is designed with a focus on ride comfort while retaining the agility and connection Tesla is known for. Building on the improvements brought to the upgraded Model 3, new chassis settings provide a high-level of comfort for all passengers, without compromising handling.
Redesigned Exterior.
The new Model Y features a fully redesigned exterior that offers exceptional aerodynamic efficiency, high-speed stability, crash safety, and build quality. Differentiating from the Model 3, the front and rear lightbars draw on Cybertruck and Cybercab designs, and the front lightbar introduces a new distinctive look and supports adaptive headlights. The rear light bar spans across the vehicle, making it not only one of the largest lightbars in the industry, but also the world-first production application of an indirect, externally reflected lighting system that projects the rear lamp function onto a custom applique. The exterior redesign has reduced the overall drag and, combined with new wheels featuring improved aerodynamics and low-resistance tyres, it leads to enhanced range. The Model Y was already the most efficient SUV in its class, and by carefully reworking every energy-consuming subsystem, Tesla has unlocked significant improvements in energy efficiency, resulting in real-world gains for owners without additional costs.
Enhanced Cabin Comfort.
Excellence in interior refinement and ambience has been a key focus with the new Model Y. The cabin is enveloped in premium yet durable materials, including aluminium and textile, while customisable ambient lighting is dynamically integrated for both day and night. Additionally, new manufacturing processes provide an elevated level of craftsmanship. With the introduction of acoustic glass on every surface, paired with new sound-dampening materials, the new Model Y offers a whisper-quiet ride quality. Road noise is reduced by 22%, impact noise by 20% and wind noise by 20%. New low-E glass also reflects 26% more solar energy, helping maintain the perfect temperature when combined with a quieter, more efficient air-conditioning system. The two front seats have been redesigned for improved comfort and are now ventilated. The second-row seats also offer enhanced comfort and convenience with easier-to-access buckles, longer cushions, deeper bolsters, with powered recline and fold-flat operation. Both first and second rows are heated, and all are working seamlessly with integrated climate controls. The new centre console now features sliding doors with precise, smooth movement, and is covered in genuine aluminium revealing both a cupholder and extra storage. Additional aluminium accents adorn the steering wheel, door trims, and instrument panels. A new front camera is now available, located in the front fascia. It offers drivers an expanded view of the surroundings on the centre screen and is equipped with a fluid washer and integrated heating to prevent fogging and frost in cold weather conditions. True to its original uncluttered driving experience, the new Model Y includes both haptic switches and physical buttons. Ergonomics and usability are enhanced with customizable steering wheel switches for quick access to frequently used vehicle functions, and a new precision-engineered indicator stalk ensures effortless control while driving. Rear passengers can now enjoy their own 8” touchscreen, featuring integrated climate controls and entertainment options, including gaming, audio, and video streaming. With one front and two rear USB-C charging ports, it is easy to charge portable electronic devices, with up to 65W of power on offer. The audio system has been redesigned to offer an even more immersive music listening experience. Some speakers are invisible thanks to an acoustically transparent textile material developed in-house, which compliments the sleek aesthetic of the interior and enhances audio performance. Improvements have also been made to the microphones, for better call quality.
Next-Generation Connectivity.
Connectivity has reached the next generation with redesigned hardware, delivering a significant boost to cellular performance: 50% faster download speeds and a 30% greater range. Wi-Fi connectivity has also been greatly improved, with download speeds up to 300% faster for smoother video streaming and software updates, and a range extension of up to 200%, ensuring sustained connectivity in areas like garages and driveways. Phone key performance and reliability have seen a 10X improvement, thanks to the addition of Ultra-Wideband and other enhancements, which also enable automatic boot opening when paired with the Tesla app. As with all Tesla vehicles, these hardware improvements will enable additional features via over-the-air software updates, free of charge for owners, in the future.
Test Car Details.
My Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive test car looked terrific in its Diamond Black metallic paintwork and an all-black interior, along with 19-inch Crossflow wheels as standard. The single electric motor is located on the rear axle and it produces 295 bhp and 420 Nm of instant torque, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 200 km/h (where permitted). Steering revisions and chassis refinements combine to deliver a noticeably more engaging driving experience without sacrificing the approachable, family-friendly character that made the original Model Y such a huge success. Revised steering calibration adds weight and precision, making the car feel more planted and confidence-inspiring at motorway speeds. Improved body control means that uneven road surfaces no longer unsettle the chassis as they once did, leading to better managed and more predictable body movements. An excellent regenerative braking setup leads to single-pedal simplicity, making urban commuting relaxed and effortless. The Model Y connects with the Tesla mobile app to provide additional features such as remote unlock, remote pre-conditioning, location tracking and speed limit mode. There are three types of Tesla fast chargers for domestic use (7 kWh, 11 kWh and 22 kWh), all of which can charge the car from 0% to 100% overnight. Meanwhile, Tesla ‘Superchargers’ can take the battery from empty to full in around an hour, or can add up to 260 kilometres of range to the battery in around 15 minutes. My test car can provide up to 505 km of range on a single charge, and drivers can navigate longer trips via the Trip Planner app in order to add Supercharging stops along the way.
Verdict, Pricing & Warranty.
Priced from €42,990 (on-the-road), the new Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive is the brand’s most affordable Model Y ever, and it represents outstanding value for money. The Model Y is a highly commendable family SUV with a roomy and light-filled interior, excellent performance and range, masses of tech and the undoubted benefit of the company’s brilliant Supercharger network. It has some very interesting and more mainstream opposition to contend with, but the Model Y has already established itself as a strong seller. For a limited time, the new Model Y is available with a special 1.99% interest rate, along with a €2,000 Tesla trade-in bonus (terms & conditions apply). A 4-year/80,000km warranty comes as standard, along with an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.
Visit www.tesla.com for further information.
