After announcing it would close many of its retail outlets around the world and hike prices, Tesla has backtracked slightly and revealed its seven-seat Model Y SUV.
Last week Tesla was grabbing headlines after it announced an immediate closure of the majority of its retail outlets around the world. However, it has since back-tracked from that position saying it would be closing far fewer outlets than previously announced, but prices will still be going up to ensure the bricks and mortar stores stay open.
But, this week, Tesla wants us to focus on its new Model Y seven-seat SUV. Taking its design inspiration from the Model 3, the Model Y is about 10% bigger and shares around 75% of its bits and pieces. It doesn’t use gullwing doors, rather making use of the same pillar less doors on the Model 3.
It’s expected to launch in the US in 2020 and in other markets around the world from 2022. Initially there will be Long Range (480km), Dual Motor AWD, and Performance models. The Standard Range (368km range) will go on-sale in the US in 2021.
In terms of charging, Tesla said the Model Y would be compatible with the brand’s next-generation superchargers which are capable of charging at 1000mph and can return more than 100km of range to the Model Y in just five minutes of charging.
Like the Model 3, the Model Y doesn’t need a key, using your smartphone instead with a large centrally-mounted 15-inch touchscreen controlling much of the car’s doings. Model Y also connects with the Tesla Mobile app for unique, easy-to-access features like remote unlock, Summon, remote pre-conditioning, location tracking, Speed Limit Mode, and much more.
In announcing the Model Y, Tesla boss, Elon Musk said it would “ride like a sports car…this thing we’ll be really tight in corners. And we expect it to be the safest mid-size SUV in the world”.
“It’s going to have incredible performance,” he said. “So, expect 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds”.
