Tesla Model Y Performance: the star shows its muscles!
This page is translated from the original post "Tesla Model Y Performance : la star montre les muscles !" in French.
- 29/08/2025 9:39
Tesla unveils the highly anticipated new Model Y Performance, a muscular version of its best-selling SUV.
Despite a facelift widely acknowledged as very successful, the Tesla Model Y, the global best-seller in 2023, is starting to feel the pressure. Sales are slowing down, competition is getting tougher, and even in China, Tesla’s lead is shrinking against BYD. The manufacturer’s response? After launching a 6-seat long Model Y in Asia, Tesla offers this Performance version produced in Berlin for Europe. Not a new model, but a sporty variant to remind everyone that Tesla knows how to make cars that go very fast.
At first glance, this muscular Y can be recognized by its more sculpted bumper, a carbon rear spoiler, and its 21-inch wheels. To avoid confusing it with a regular Y, it features red brake calipers, black mirrors, and the famous “Performance” badge. The front end gives a true sporty character to the model, proving that with a little design work, one can make a model more masculine without resorting to an abundance of unsightly appendages.
But this work is not purely aesthetic, since under this body kit, Tesla claims to have worked on aerodynamics. The brand promises a 10% decrease in drag and a 64% decrease in lift, enough to stabilize the SUV limited to 250 km/h.
More about image than sales volume
The interior also gains personality. The “driver” and passengers are welcomed in specific heated and ventilated seats with enhanced support. Inside, the essential real carbon inserts and an aluminum pedal set are present. But the real novelty is found in the center with a brand new 16-inch touchscreen, thinner and of better definition than in other versions. An exclusivity that could, by itself, attract tech enthusiasts who are abundant in the Tesla sphere.
In terms of numbers, Tesla doesn’t disrupt the formula but improves it. Two motors, over 600 horsepower, a 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. This is much better than the previous version, and with a peak power distribution of 158 kW (215 hp) at the front and 303 kW (410 hp) at the rear, the handling should be quite playful. Nothing revolutionary, but enough to place the Model Y among the most powerful electric SUVs on the market. Interestingly, the range rises to 580 km WLTP, almost the same as the Long Range version. A small miracle made possible by a new denser battery, likely the LG 84 kWh. Proof enough that Tesla still has room for improvement in terms of range. Weighing 2108 kg, it is obviously not a lightweight, but energy efficiency has improved to 16.2 kWh / 100 km compared to 17.3 for the previous generation.
The adaptive suspension, seen on the Model 3 Performance and the Model Y L, but previously unexplored on the Y, promises excellent handling. More comfortable for daily use but capable of stiffening in Sport mode, it should silence the most critical voices who found the previous Performance too stiff.
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Facing increasing competition, Tesla is balancing power, range, and versatility. Priced at €61,990 and available from September, this Model Y Performance does not aim for the bulk of sales but restores appeal to an SUV that needed it.
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