Have you ever dreamt about Tesla Model Y? So here is great news for you? Tesla will soon bring the Model Y to the UK. The company has opened pre-orders for the EV in the country, with deliveries expected to start in early 2022.
The original plan was to start Model Y deliveries in Europe after Tesla started making them at its Berlin Gigafactory. However, Tesla has brought Model Y EVs from its Shanghai production facility to some European markets.
Most countries in Europe drive on the right, but the UK and Ireland stick to the left, so the steering wheel is generally on the right there. Gigafactory Berlin is supposed to start making Model Y as soon as next month. Still, it’s unclear whether Tesla will make Model Ys for the UK or ship them from China.
Tesla Model Y price in the UK.
Tesla’s Model Y has finally officially hit the UK market, with customers able to order the electric SUV from 8 am this morning.
Motorists can put down deposits on two different versions of the eagerly-anticipated addition to Tesla’s electric vehicle line-up, with prices starting from £54,990 for the Long Range version, which offers up to 315 miles on a full charge.
Deliveries to UK customers are expected to start in early 2022.
The Model Y is set to go head-to-head into direct competition with other performance electric SUVs, including Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Audi E-Tron Sportback, BMW iX3, and Mercedes-Benz EQC.
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Looking like a cross between Tesla’s family car, the Model 3, and its large Model X SUV, the Model Y is going up against a considerably more competitive field of rivals than previous Teslas arriving in the UK.
Like the rivals mentioned above, it will be priced above the threshold for the Government’s electric car grant, which only offers to subsidize the new price of an EV that is less than £35,000.
Tesla fans have been forced to wait over two years for the Model Y to arrive on these shores, with the final production model unveiled in North America in March 2019 and US drivers getting their hands on cars around April 2020.
Customers will have the choice of two variants, both using a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup – though tri-motor ‘Plaid’ options will likely follow at a later date.
Both are only available in a five-seat configuration from launch, with Tesla has yet to offer a seven-seat option to customers in Europe.
It will ship all British right-hand-drive cars from Tesla’s Shanghai factory in China, where UK-spec Tesla Model 3s are produced.
For now, the entry car is the Model Y Long Range, which – according to the WLTP standardized test cycle – provides up to 315 miles of range on a single charge (enough for a non-stop drive from London to Carlisle) – and comes with the option of 19- or 20-inch wheels.
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It can accelerate to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and has a top speed of 135mph.
Tesla Model Y release date in UK.
The Tesla Model Y is now on sale in the UK, with prices starting at £54,990 for the electric SUV.
It’s an alternative to the likes of the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4, and Mercedes EQA EVs, as well as the petrol- and diesel-powered BMW X3, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Place an order now, and it’s estimated you’ll get your Tesla Model Y in early 2022.
The Model Y Long Range will arrive in the UK first, ahead of the Performance variant shortly after.
As the name suggests, this will be quicker than the entry Model Y, though the added performance does compromise the range.
The big selling point will be a 0-to-60mph sprint time of just 3.5 seconds, which means it will be able to keep pace with an Audi R8 V10 supercar in a drag race.
Top speed is higher, too, at a limited 155mph.
However, the single-charge range drops to 298 miles, which will – in theory – get you from London to Newcastle with just over six miles to spare.
The Performance will start from £65,980 and come with even bigger wheels, measuring 21 inches.
Both versions of the Model Y are compatible with the US brand’s later V3 Superchargers, which can charge at rates up to 1,000 miles per hour.
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There are currently more than 6,000 Tesla Superchargers across Europe, though many are not V3 spec yet. Tesla customers should also know that the network of chargers is set to be made available to all EV drivers, not just owners of US cars.
Inside, every Model Y will feature a panoramic glass roof and a 15-inch touchscreen, with over-the-air software updates available for when Tesla wants to make changes to the car’s performance and infotainment features.
Like Model 3, Model Y requires no keys but instead connects to your smartphone for ‘seamless’ entry and exit.
Model Y also connects with the Tesla mobile app for unique, easy-to-access features like remote unlock, Summon, remote pre-conditioning, location tracking, Speed Limit Mode, and much more.
In terms of luggage space, there large boot with split-folding second-row seats and a ‘frunk’ – front trunk. This provides up to 2,100 liters of storage capacity.
The Bottom Line
The Model Y starts at £54,990 for the Long Differ All-Wheel-Pressure mannequin and £64,990 for an Efficiency one, in line with Tesla’s configurator. Enhanced Autopilot prices £3,400, and the Corpulent Self-Riding Ability add-on is £6,800, but that feature is in beta.
Tesla confirmed last week that production of both its Cybertruck and Roadster had been delayed until 2023, with CEO Elon Musk citing ‘several supply chain shortages.’
Musk hinted that Tesla was on course to achieve record vehicle deliveries this year at a meeting with shareholders. However, they added that global supply-chain disruptions for computer chips remain a challenge.
