Tesla Model Y: What is this strange version in China?

The year 2025 will be the year of the significant technical and aesthetic overhaul of the Tesla Model Y, whose catalog is changing intriguingly.

There is hardly a day without Tesla news being fueled by the Tesla Model Y. The best-selling car in 2023, “despite” its electric motorization, is a blockbuster that has the flaw of its qualities: the promise of its upcoming renewal greatly slowed its sales in 2024.

Tesla took a hit with its Cybertruck and understood that originality is indeed a quality, but that it is not enough. Especially in the face of Chinese competition led by BYD, now the world’s leading electric car manufacturer. A harsh decline for Tesla which, to regain its position as leader, must innovate more, surprise, and lower prices. A virtuous circle for consumers, who now have a wide choice.

Stocks are running out

Everyone hoped for the presentation of the “new” Tesla Model Y — ultimately a very deep technical and aesthetic overhaul — in 2024. But the American manufacturer preferred to postpone this launch to overhaul its model from top to bottom. A simple dusting off would not have been enough to reverse the declining sales trend.

The task is not easy between extending the current version, waiting for customers eager to buy the new version, and managing stocks. Tesla has therefore put its finger into a vicious cycle: that of promotions. And again, 2024 saw a race with a thousand and one attempts: discounts, free options, free charging for a year, referral bonuses, interest rates, etc.

Today, even the technical sheets are fluctuating, which is surprising. In China, it has been discovered that the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version has disappeared from the catalog… but not its motorization. Indeed, Tesla China offers the Rear-Wheel Drive version with acceleration figures similar to the long-range version. That is, a version with the rear electric motor of 255 kW (346 horsepower), compared to 220 kW (299 horsepower) for the Rear-Wheel Drive version.

This results in better-controlled consumption (15.5 kWh/100 km, compared to 15.7 kWh, this motor is less power-hungry despite its higher power) and a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.9 seconds instead of 6.9 seconds.

Regarding range, it is difficult to compare with Europe, because the Chinese homologation cycle CLTC is more generous. The Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive in China thus promises 554 km, 99 km more than its European equivalent.

Is this new mechanism between the battery and the motor on the Model Y a sign of the imminent depletion of stock in China? One thing is sure: the reveal of the V2.0 of the Model Y is imminent. Patience.

READ ALSO: Renault R5 Electric: Already aiming for 6 to 10% discount!