Here’s how Tesla adds 2 seats to the Model Y

This page is translated from the original post "Voici comment Tesla ajoute 2 places au Model Y" in French.

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Tesla Model Y L

Tesla has just announced in China the arrival of a new variant of the Model Y that can now accommodate six passengers.

Called the Tesla Model YL, this newcomer will be available in the fall in China. Two additional seats thanks to a third row, and it all comes down to… a few centimeters more in wheelbase. It retains the main features of the current Model Y but stretches by 179 mm, reaching 4,976 mm in length. More significantly, its wheelbase increases from 2,890 mm to 3,040 mm. A gain of 15 centimeters between the axles that alone allows Tesla to transform the SUV into a genuine six-seater.

No magic, just an electric architecture

This type of reconfiguration would have been extremely complex, if not impossible, to achieve on an internal combustion vehicle, as mechanical constraints (exhaust system, fuel tank, driveshaft) limit modularity. The 100% electric architecture of the Model Y, however, frees up valuable space and allows for great flexibility in proportions and interior layouts. A flat battery under the floor, compact motors, absence of a driveshaft tunnel—these elements open up an almost infinite range of possibilities in terms of configuration.

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Visually, the changes are subtle. The overhangs change little, and the height increases by 44 mm, reaching 1,668 mm, to provide a minimum level of comfort for rear passengers. The side badge sports a new stylized graphic to distinguish this version.

On the technical side, the Model YL retains two electric motors but adopts an NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery provided by LG Energy Solution, replacing the current LFP battery. The weight reaches 2,088 kg, compared to 1,921 kg for the standard Model Y.

While Tesla China has yet to formalize the price, initial estimates from local media suggest a price around 400,000 RMB, or approximately 51,000 euros. There is no indication yet whether this Model YL will be offered outside of China, but its existence perfectly illustrates how Tesla leverages electric architecture to maximize modularity without completely reinventing everything.

READ ALSO: Tesla unveils a Model 3+… that has nothing new

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