Tesla’s Model Y has finally officially hit the UK market, with customers able to order the electric SUV from 8am this morning.
Motorists can put down deposits on two different versions of the eagerly-anticipated addition to Tesla’s electric vehicle line-up, with prices starting from £54,990 for the Long Range version, which offers up to 315 miles on a full charge.
Deliveries to UK customers are expected to start in early 2022.
Model Y has arrived: Tesla’s eagerly-anticipated new electric SUV can be ordered by UK customers for the first time from 8am this morning (Friday 15 October)
The Model Y is set to go head-to-head with go into direct competition with other performance electric SUVs, including Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Audi E-tron Sportback, BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Looking like a cross between Tesla’s family car, the Model 3, and its large Model X SUV, the Model Y is going up against a considerably more competitive field of rivals than previous Teslas arriving in the UK.
Like the rivals mentioned above, it will be priced above the threshold for the Government’s electric car grant, which only offers to subsidise the new price of an EV that is less than £35,000.
Tesla fans have been forced to wait over two years for the Model Y to arrive on these shores, with the final production model unveiled in North America in March 2019 and US drivers getting their hands on cars around April 2020.
Customers will have the choice of two variants, both using a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup – though tri-motor ‘Plaid’ options will likely follow at a later date.
Both are only available in a five seat configuration from launch, with Tesla yet to commit to offering a seven-seat option to customers in Europe.
All British right-hand-drive cars will be shipped from Tesla’s Shanghai factory in China, which is also where UK-spec Tesla Model 3s are produced.
For now, the entry car is the Model Y Long Range, which – according to the WLTP standardised test cycle – provides up to 315 miles of range on a single charge (enough for a non-stop drive from London to Carlisle) – and comes with the option of 19- or 20-inch wheels.
It can accelerate to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph.
Tesla fans have been forced to wait over two years for the Model Y to arrive on these shores, with the final production model unveiled in North American in March 2019 and US drivers getting their hands on cars around April 2020
All British right-hand-drive cars will be shipped from Tesla’s Shanghai factory in China, which is also where UK-spec Tesla Model 3s are produced
It is the Model Y Long Range that will be arriving in the UK first, ahead of the Performance variant to arrive shortly after.
As the name suggests, this will be quicker than the entry Model Y, though the added performance does compromise the range.
The big selling point will be a 0-to-60mph sprint time of just 3.5 seconds, which means it will be able to keep pace with an Audi R8 V10 supercar in a drag race.
Top speed is higher too, at a limited 155mph.
However, single-charge range drops to 298 miles, which will – in theory – get you from London to Newcastle with just over six miles to spare.
The Performance will start from £65,980 and come with even bigger wheels, measuring in at 21 inches.
Customers will have the choice of two variants, both using a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup – though tri-motor ‘Plaid’ options will likely follow at a later date
First to arrive will be the £54,990 entry version, which provides up to 315 miles of range on a single charge – and comes with the option of 19- or 20-inch wheels. It can accelerate to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph
The £65,980 Model Y Performance will follow boasting a 0-to-60mph sprint time of just 3.5 seconds, which means it will be able to keep pace with an Audi R8 V10 supercar in a drag race. Top speed is 155mph, however, single-charge range drops to 298 miles, which will – in theory – get you from London to Newcastle with just over six miles to spare
Both versions of the Model Y are compatible with the US brand’s later V3 Superchargers, which can charge at rates up to 1,000 miles per hour. #
There are currently more than 6,000 Tesla Superchargers across Europe, though many are not V3 spec yet. Tesla customers should also know that the network of chargers is set to be made available to all EV drivers, not just owners of the US cars.
Inside, every Model Y will feature a panoramic glass roof and a 15-inch touchscreen, with over-the-air software updates available for when Tesla wants to make changes to the car’s performance and infotainment features.
Like Model 3, Model Y requires no keys, but instead connects to your smartphone for ‘seamless’ entry and exit.
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.
Inside, every Model Y will feature a panoramic glass roof and a 15-inch touchscreen, with over-the-air software updates available for when Tesla wants to make changes to the car’s performance and infotainment features
This is an electric family car with style, so there’s plenty of leg-room in the back – though the swooped roof design means head-room is more limited than it is in the Model X
In terms of luggage space, there large boot with split-folding second-row seats and a ‘frunk’ – front trunk. This provides up to 2,100 litres of storage capacity.
Tesla confirmed last week that production of both its Cybertruck and Roadster have been delayed until 2023, with CEO Elon Musk citing ‘several supply chain shortages’.
At a meeting with shareholders, Musk hinted that Tesla was on course to achieve record vehicle deliveries this year, though added that global supply-chain disruptions for computer chips remain a challenge.
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