Tesla has finally taken the wraps off the long-awaited update to its top-selling model, the Model Y. Although the compact electric crossover still looks familiar overall, it gets new design inside and out, as well as the latest tech inside.
Since Tesla does not have a press relations department, details about this update can only be gleaned through the automaker’s Chinese consumer website, where the first photos and data about the Model Y were published. That means that there’s still much to learn about the vehicle, and some details may change by the time it reaches Canada.
What is clear is that the crossover has been given a makeover inspired by the recently unveiled Cybercab and the Cybertruck. The result is a slimmer lightbar across the front of the vehicle and a simpler front fascia than the current model. At the back, the taillights have been replaced by a chunky lightbar.
Elsewhere, the creases along the side of the vehicle have been sharpened, much as they were in the recently updated Model 3. Despite that, thanks to its “Cyber” design, the Model Y now looks more distinct from the compact sedan than ever. The Model Y has also grown by 43 mm in overall length with this update, likely because of the new front and rear fascia.
Inside, the Model Y gets a new colourful light along the top of the dash that will, presumably, help owners liven up their interior and give it a little more personality. In addition, a new Model X-style screen appears to have been added on the centre console for rear seat occupants to play with.
Tesla seems to have reined in its minimalist instincts a little with this redesign. Although the interior is still simple to the point of being spartan, it appears that the model will still get a stalk behind the steering wheel dedicated to the turn signals despite rumours that it would be eliminated in favour of a steering-wheel-spoke-mounted solution. The model also retains a circular steering wheel, at least in the Chinese market.
The American automaker appears to have taken the opportunity to make some improvement under the hood, as it were. Its Chinese website indicates a driving range increase of around 5 per cent for the Long-Range All-Wheel Drive model, and an increase of 7 per cent for the rear-wheel drive model. With that comes a price increase that is roughly similar, at between 4 and 5 per cent in the market. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until official information is revealed for the Canadian market before we learn if these changes will make it onto our roads.
In addition to those improvements, the updated Model Y will likely receive more small improvements throughout. If the update is anything like that experienced by the Model 3 — which we have every reason to believe it will — Tesla will improve the materials used through the vehicle, will add more sound deadening, and make other small changes to make the Model Y an altogether more pleasant vehicle to be in.
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