New Tesla Model Y lands in UK with £61k launch edition

The first UK examples of the facelifted Tesla Model Y will be priced from £60,990. 

Touted to arrive in April, the revised crossover will be sold initially in Launch Series trim only, which features all-wheel drive and a long- range battery. It offers a 353-mile WLTP range and a 0-60mph time of 4.1sec.

Regular long-range AWD models are expected later this year at a price above the current car’s £51,990.

Performance and long- range RWD cars are in the works but an arrival date has not been set. For reference, the outgoing long-range RWD is the entry-level model and is priced from £46,990.

 

 

 

 

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There are no initial plans for a seven-seat version to return, despite this derivative having sold well in the UK previously.

Codenamed Project Juniper, the facelifted Model Y arrives as Tesla faces intense competition in all global markets. 

Broadly, the upgrades match those made to the Tesla Model 3 last year and are focused around improving the Model Y's efficiency, refinement and quality.

One way it differs from the Model 3 is that the indicator controls have moved back to a conventional stalk rather than, as with the facelifted Model 3, being located on the steering wheel.

The headline change for the world's best-selling electric car is its freshly redesigned exterior, differentiated from the current car by wraparound light bars at the front and rear and subtly reshaped bumpers.

The SUV’s immense commercial success makes it Tesla’s most important asset and the American EV maker will look to leverage it in an attempt to move out of a prolonged dip in sales.