Unlike the Tesla Model 3, the Model Y‘s lineup isn’t as extensive. Could this change in the future

The range of the all-new Tesla Model Y (well, not so “all-new” because presented in 2019 but marketed only since the beginning of this year 2022) is composed somewhat in the same way as that of the Model 3. There is a version Great Autonomy, the one of all that theoretically allows you to drive the longest on a single charge (533 km according to the American manufacturer), as well as a Performance variant, a name that says a lot about the claims of this livery. But, unlike the sedan, it lacks a more “accessible” version. In quotes, it is clear, because even the Model 3 is not really very affordable since it has revised its prices very seriously upwards in recent weeks. But never mind, Tesla would consider completing the range of its zero-emission SUV from below…

A Model Y Standard AWD is on the program
The last “keynote”… uh… the last big Tesla show during which Elon Musk himself, the famous leader of the Californian brand, celebrated the opening of his sixth factory and 5th “gigafactory” in Texas, turned out to be quite informative. He confirmed during this event that the brand would accelerate its production rate in 2021 and then, if all goes well (and better always take tweezers with what Elon Musk says), the objective is to finally market in 2023 all the models promised in recent years and not expected since then: the Cybertruck, the new Roadster and the semi-trailer. The manager also took advantage of this celebration to specify that the Model Y range would soon include a new version, without saying more unfortunately. Also the journalists of the American magazine Electrek decided to investigate to find out more.

After checking on their part with the EPA, the American environmental protection agency which is responsible, among other things, for validating the autonomy of electric cars, they discovered that Tesla had patented a Standard Autonomy variant with all-wheel drive and that it is also given for 279 miles of range, or about 449 km. So it does exist. But why didn’t you say it loud and clear?

Only reserved for brand employees for now
By digging a little deeper and contacting Tesla employees, they were also able to discover that the brand communicated about this new livery internally on April 9 and that it is currently reserved for said employees. It only costs $3,000 less than the Long Autonomy version ($59,990 in total) and only loses 2 seconds on the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h compared to the latter. In fact, the price difference is a little less than between the Tesla Model 3 Autonomy Standard ($41,940) and the Long Autonomy model ($50,940), $9,000 difference, but that’s the fact 4-wheel drive (the Model 3 Autonomy Standard is a rear-wheel drive) that Tesla charges $6,000 more all the same. A priori, there is no reason why the general public cannot benefit from it afterwards. And we Europeans could well be concerned too, even if ours will undoubtedly be produced at the Berlin factory. However, don’t expect ultra-competitive prices, a Model Y Autonomy Standard AWD could drop just under the 60,000 € mark, but hardly lower…