Tesla has taken the wraps off its new Model Y, saying its all-electric, mid-size, seven-seater SUV was designed for “maximum versatility and safety”.
The Model Y – which slots in below the Model X – will be offered in standard-range form (priced from $39 000) as well as long-range guise, plus as dual-motor all-wheel-drive and performance variants.
The US-based automaker claims a zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint time of just 3,5 seconds for the fastest derivative, along with a top speed of up to 150 mph (that’s 241 km/h). The standard model features a claimed range of 230 miles (around 370 km), with the long-range derivative stretching to 300 miles (that’s 483 km) on a single charge.
Tesla claims the Model Y is “spacious enough to carry seven adults and their gear”. The SUV can be specified with a panoramic glass roof, while its cabin appears to share much with that of the Model 3 sedan (and also features a large, landscape-oriented touchscreen).
In November 2018, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the electric vehicle brand would “probably” open its first dealership in South Africa towards the end of 2019. Whether such plans are still on track, however, remains to be seen.
