Photo: Tesla
Judging by certification documents filed in Europe, Tesla might offer a Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD) after all. The new model might feature a new electric motor, better efficiency, and up to 600 km (373 miles) of range. This compares favorably to the 533-km (331 miles) WLTC range of the Model Y LR AWD currently on sale.
When it unveiled the Model Y in March 2019, Tesla announced a single-motor long-range variant priced at $47,000. Two weeks later, Tesla hiked the price to $48,000 even though the LR RWD variant was still not available to order. People considered it the sweet spot of the Model Y lineup, thanks to providing a longer range than the LR AWD at a lower price. However, Tesla never delivered this Model Y variant, which disappeared from its website in January 2020.
New European certification suggests Tesla might again consider offering a Model Y LR RWD model, at least in this market. Based on documents shared by Tesla insider Julien (@eivissacopter) on X and TFF forums, the certification is for a Model Y built at Giga Berlin. It's unclear whether Tesla will bring a similar variant to the US market. The certification also does not guarantee that the Model Y LR RWD will start production, as not all certified models get on the market.
According to the documents shared on TFF forums, the Tesla Model Y LR RWD sports the same battery pack as the LR AWD trim. This is produced with LG cells and has a 79-kWh capacity. The Model Y LR RWD is rated for 600 km (373 miles) when equipped with 19-inch Gemini wheels and Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 EV tires. However, switching to 20-inch Induction wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires lowers the range to 565 km (351 miles). These are all European WLTC ratings, usually more optimistic than EPA numbers.
The certification documents reveal more technical details about the elusive Model Y LR RWD. Tesla certified the model at several power levels, ranging from 159 kW (213 horsepower) to 255 kW (342 horsepower). The latter corresponds to the Model Y Performance's rear motor. However, the variant that Tesla actually tested for the certification delivers 220 kW (295 horsepower), the same as the current Model Y RWD (standard range) variant. Despite some people's optimism, this might not change if Tesla decides to offer the LR RWD model after all.
The Tesla Model Y LR RWD weighs 1,959 kg (4,320 lbs.), 20 kg/44 lbs. less than the dual-motor variant, including the driver. The top speed reaches 217 kph/135 mph, similar to the Model Y LR AWD. The documentation also reveals that the Model Y will be equipped with a Hardware-4 Autopilot computer. Although the latest hardware suite was introduced on the American Model Y in May 2023, Europeans are still getting Hardware-3 vehicles.
New European certification suggests Tesla might again consider offering a Model Y LR RWD model, at least in this market. Based on documents shared by Tesla insider Julien (@eivissacopter) on X and TFF forums, the certification is for a Model Y built at Giga Berlin. It's unclear whether Tesla will bring a similar variant to the US market. The certification also does not guarantee that the Model Y LR RWD will start production, as not all certified models get on the market.
According to the documents shared on TFF forums, the Tesla Model Y LR RWD sports the same battery pack as the LR AWD trim. This is produced with LG cells and has a 79-kWh capacity. The Model Y LR RWD is rated for 600 km (373 miles) when equipped with 19-inch Gemini wheels and Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 EV tires. However, switching to 20-inch Induction wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires lowers the range to 565 km (351 miles). These are all European WLTC ratings, usually more optimistic than EPA numbers.
The certification documents reveal more technical details about the elusive Model Y LR RWD. Tesla certified the model at several power levels, ranging from 159 kW (213 horsepower) to 255 kW (342 horsepower). The latter corresponds to the Model Y Performance's rear motor. However, the variant that Tesla actually tested for the certification delivers 220 kW (295 horsepower), the same as the current Model Y RWD (standard range) variant. Despite some people's optimism, this might not change if Tesla decides to offer the LR RWD model after all.
The Tesla Model Y LR RWD weighs 1,959 kg (4,320 lbs.), 20 kg/44 lbs. less than the dual-motor variant, including the driver. The top speed reaches 217 kph/135 mph, similar to the Model Y LR AWD. The documentation also reveals that the Model Y will be equipped with a Hardware-4 Autopilot computer. Although the latest hardware suite was introduced on the American Model Y in May 2023, Europeans are still getting Hardware-3 vehicles.
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