Tesla Model Y. At the prospect of the success
Тесла Model Y is a compact 4WD or RWD crossover produced by Tesla. It was unveiled in March, 2019. Its mass production started in January, 2020, and the mass supplies started on March 13, 2020. Sales in Israel are expected in 2021.
Model Y is a mid-class model and a competitor to Volkswagen Touareg, Nissan Murano, Lexus RX, and the all-electric Audi E-tron. Tesla Model Y offers the third Seat row as an option for a 7-seater.
In 2019, Tesla has become the world leader in Electric car sales after having sold 367,820 cars. Their best-seller has been the affordable sedan Model 3, chosen by 300 000 customers! But Elon Musc has never stopped. The next step to achieve is the development of a new car — Model Y. It will be more compact and more affordable than Model X, because it is based on a simple platform. Musc makes his plans for the ‘Y’: it should become a new best-seller of Tesla. It’s reasonable thinking. With bigger volume, size, and road clearance, Model Y is not much more expensive than Model 3 (as for 2020).
First generation
The first generation is produced since 2019 until now. (as of 2021). Tesla registered Model Y as a trademark in 2013 but unveiled the new Electric crossover with this name only on March 15, 2019, in California. One year later — in March 2020 — the first customers finally received the car. Model Y is very important for Tesla. The long-anticipated Model Y seems to be a serious rival for today’s compact crossovers.
Bodywork
The first-generation Model Y is a compact crossover based on the Model 3 platform (and, therefore, its system of Electric motors and suspensions - double transverse levers in front and multilever in the rear portion of the car - either spring-based or pneumatic) and designed for the mass market. According to Elon Musc, electric cars are 75% unified.
The technical arrangement, as well as the exterior and interior design of the Model Y are largely the same as the Model 3 sedan. But the crossover offers a taller body - its overall height is only slightly less than that of Tesla’s flagship Model X crossover. The Model Y is longer, wider, and taller than the Model 3, with the same wheelbase. But the road clearance of the crossover is 175 mm, while the Model 3 offers only 140 mm.
The main distinctive feature of the Model Y is hatchback bodywork instead of sedan. This allowed the body pillars to be pushed back considerably and the space in the rear to be increased. The aerodynamic drag coefficient in both models is the same (only 0.23), as is the weight distribution - 54/46 in favor of the rear axle. However, fans of the Falcon Wings of the Model X will be disappointed - the Model Y comes with conventional hinged front and rear doors.
Interior
The roomy interior accommodates up to 7 passengers. The third row of seats is available for the Model Y for $3,000 (2020 figures). However, a couple of seats are directed with cushions forward, unlike the Model S, which can cause some problems with seating, even for teenagers. On the other hand, there are USB-C charging connectors for the rear passengers.
The interior have a lot in common with Model 3 - a minimalist interior, a huge touch screen in the center, which controls almost everything, including the autopilot system.
Modifications
Tesla offers 4 basic modifications of Model Y:
- Standard Range. RWD. One electric motor that only drives the rear axle wheels. The power is 271 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds. The top speed is 217 km/h. The cruising range on a single charge is 392 km. The cost of the basic Standart Range version starts from $39K or, according to other sources, at $41,990 (as for 2020).
- Long Range RWD. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.5 seconds. The top speed is 210 km/h. The cruising range is 483 km.
- Long Range AWD. The power is 345 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 5.1 seconds. The top speed is 216 km/h. The cruising range is 503 km. Its approximate price starts from $51K (as for 2020).
- Performance. AWD and the most luxurious version. The power is 450 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 3.7 seconds. The top speed is 241 km/h. The cruising range is 480 km.
