Tesla launches new 466hp Model Y Performance
More power, new suspension and vaguely sportier look for crucial SUV flagship
What with both Skoda Enyaq vRS and Ford Mustang Mach E Rally recently reviewed on PH, it’s a busy time for EV SUVs. Try as you might, there’s no escaping them. And no discussion of the class would be complete without mention of the Tesla Model Y. Thanks to a recent update that addressed a few annoyances, it remains a highly-rated EV family car. Plus there is now one of a more PH persuasion: this is the new Model Y Performance.
As the name implies, this is usefully faster than the standard car, with power from a pair of ‘Performance 4DU’ motors rated at 466hp (the regular Y is 380hp strong). While not a remarkable figure for an EV these days - the MG4 XPower offers 435hp for not much more than £35k, it’s still enough, says Tesla, for 3.3 seconds to 62mph and 155mph. So faster than anyone, really, is ever going to need. There’s 360 miles of WLTP range, too, with efficiency rated at 3.84mi/kWh.
Adaptive dampers are pinched from the equivalent Model 3 Performance, with tweaks for the extra weight (though 2,108kg really doesn’t seem all that much these days). Tesla says the ‘wheels, tyres and brake calipers are designed to be maximally responsive, so you have more precise control at the wheel’, whatever that means. An extended rear spoiler promises additional stability at speed, with a few carbon goodies unique to the Performance to show off at the school gates.
Inside the Y there’s a new 16-inch central screen that looks almost TV-quality; apparently it offers higher pixel density and ‘epic response times’. Additionally there’s an eight-inch display between the front row so that rear seat passengers don’t feel left out of the touchscreen fun. Sports seats feature in the front, and the rears recline - handy if for some reason there’s a queue at the Supercharger. Especially with ‘sound-damping materials and acoustic glass.. to keep your cabin quiet so you can relax.’
Sounds like a useful array of upgrades, then, the Performance theoretically offering up a Model Y that’s faster and better to drive without much penalty (a standard dual-motor Long Range claims 4.06mi/kWh).
The newcomer is available to order now, priced from £61,990. Which, as is often the case with Teslas, looks competitive against alternatives - though discounts might not be so forthcoming. For reference, a Kia EV6 GT is from £59,930, a Mustang Mach E GT is £67,550, and a dual motor Cupra Tavascan is from £55,945. The Performance is £10,000 more than a Long Range AWD Y, though, or £400 a month more on a PCP, so best really need the extra speed. First European deliveries are due in October.
Still blobby proportions and overbodied on the wheels, but a bit less so with the 21s.
My Model S shed is a very pleasant ownership proposition and a nice drive, everything is just quite easy with it. Worst build quality i've ever seen on a modern car, but the actual materials and interfaces are very good. This being a current gen, German built, should be much better in that regard too.
And it is slower than EV6GT and Ioniq5N for the same money (or more, others do discounts).
Ant then there is Musk.... Hard pass.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a62597386/202...
And it is slower than EV6GT and Ioniq5N for the same money (or more, others do discounts).
Ant then there is Musk.... Hard pass.
Some streamers have managed 3.3sec times with ideal conditions.
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-y-0-60-mph-a...
I for one can’t wait to pick up this new Model Y Performance… i only just bought mine 3 months ago and it is fantastic.
I serious cannot think of any other car which is better day to day. It is a jack of all trades, master of none, but this is what makes it so good.
Acceleration - preposterous, if this is even faster that is insane.
Usability - I’m 22 so don’t have kids etc but the usability is off the charts. I take this car on road trips 4 lads up and it’s always the perfect tool. Not to mention even with 4 lads on board it has the sheer acceleration to completely obliterate any spanner in anything less than an M3 at full chat. It simply walks away from a Golf R, while costing me pretty much nothing to run.
I have just come back from a European road trip with my family and we took my Model Y. It did it without a sweat, the boot space is cavernous and the frunk is fantastic. I previously ran a Volvo V90 diesel with Polestar performance pack as my daily hack and that would have struggled. Even the snow white seats are easy to maintain!
Comfort - admittedly the ride is stiff but not offensively so, and the rear suspension is a bit clunky, mine is the updated Legacy model so I can’t imagine how bad the original was, hopefully this new Juniper is better.
Economy - I average between 290 and 300 real world miles which I am very happy with for such a brute. I had an EQC a few years ago for 6 months which was terrible.
Rating : 10/10 from me and for a daily could never go back to a “normal” car or even a non Tesla. I love my ICEs though so my Civic Type R gives me even more smiles! But for a daily, the Model Y cannot be beaten…
I looked up some road tests of prior model 3 and model Y versions and they seem to be as fast as claimed. The Model S Plaid fudges its numbers with that silly roll-out allowance, but that's a little different.
I looked up some road tests of prior model 3 and model Y versions and they seem to be as fast as claimed. The Model S Plaid fudges its numbers with that silly roll-out allowance, but that's a little different.
Fortunately it looks like they gave the job to a grown up.
Some streamers have managed 3.3sec times with ideal conditions.
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-y-0-60-mph-a...
I for one can’t wait to pick up this new Model Y Performance… i only just bought mine 3 months ago and it is fantastic.
I serious cannot think of any other car which is better day to day. It is a jack of all trades, master of none, but this is what makes it so good.
Acceleration - preposterous, if this is even faster that is insane.
Usability - I’m 22 so don’t have kids etc but the usability is off the charts. I take this car on road trips 4 lads up and it’s always the perfect tool. Not to mention even with 4 lads on board it has the sheer acceleration to completely obliterate any spanner in anything less than an M3 at full chat. It simply walks away from a Golf R, while costing me pretty much nothing to run.
I have just come back from a European road trip with my family and we took my Model Y. It did it without a sweat, the boot space is cavernous and the frunk is fantastic. I previously ran a Volvo V90 diesel with Polestar performance pack as my daily hack and that would have struggled. Even the snow white seats are easy to maintain!
Comfort - admittedly the ride is stiff but not offensively so, and the rear suspension is a bit clunky, mine is the updated Legacy model so I can’t imagine how bad the original was, hopefully this new Juniper is better.
Economy - I average between 290 and 300 real world miles which I am very happy with for such a brute. I had an EQC a few years ago for 6 months which was terrible.
Rating : 10/10 from me and for a daily could never go back to a “normal” car or even a non Tesla. I love my ICEs though so my Civic Type R gives me even more smiles! But for a daily, the Model Y cannot be beaten…
Some streamers have managed 3.3sec times with ideal conditions.
https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-y-0-60-mph-a...
I for one can’t wait to pick up this new Model Y Performance… i only just bought mine 3 months ago and it is fantastic.
I serious cannot think of any other car which is better day to day. It is a jack of all trades, master of none, but this is what makes it so good.
Acceleration - preposterous, if this is even faster that is insane.
Usability - I’m 22 so don’t have kids etc but the usability is off the charts. I take this car on road trips 4 lads up and it’s always the perfect tool. Not to mention even with 4 lads on board it has the sheer acceleration to completely obliterate any spanner in anything less than an M3 at full chat. It simply walks away from a Golf R, while costing me pretty much nothing to run.
I have just come back from a European road trip with my family and we took my Model Y. It did it without a sweat, the boot space is cavernous and the frunk is fantastic. I previously ran a Volvo V90 diesel with Polestar performance pack as my daily hack and that would have struggled. Even the snow white seats are easy to maintain!
Comfort - admittedly the ride is stiff but not offensively so, and the rear suspension is a bit clunky, mine is the updated Legacy model so I can’t imagine how bad the original was, hopefully this new Juniper is better.
Economy - I average between 290 and 300 real world miles which I am very happy with for such a brute. I had an EQC a few years ago for 6 months which was terrible.
Rating : 10/10 from me and for a daily could never go back to a “normal” car or even a non Tesla. I love my ICEs though so my Civic Type R gives me even more smiles! But for a daily, the Model Y cannot be beaten…
Thank you V02.
You make a compelling case for having one and although I have only ventured as far as hybrid so far, I can see a full electric appearing for my wife and I , in due course.
I will still keep me ice toys, lucky me, but for a daily and company car, this sounds perfect.
Love or hate Tesla, they do seem to still be the leader in EV tech.
Sure they are brilliant, just no want for one though, maybe a Model S but these are a bit dumpy and the 3 just shouts salary sacrifice, not what I want if I am paying for it.
Tesla still one of, if not the, most efficient EVs, but I can't image ever being unfortunate enough to have one. Plenty of nicer options now, and that's before you consider the bellend that is Musk
Love or hate Tesla, they do seem to still be the leader in EV tech.
Sure they are brilliant, just no want for one though, maybe a Model S but these are a bit dumpy and the 3 just shouts salary sacrifice, not what I want if I am paying for it.
It could be argued that you don't need your family car to go this quick though really, and if I'm out with my missus and kids in the X5, then I generally drive like a grandad for example. Plus my missus moans at me if I stick my foot down anyway with us all in. So that probably explains why I've also got two 2 seater cars as well I think, and then I can go out on my own and enjoy myself a bit more.
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