Tesla Model Y with RWD now available in Germany

Tesla has added a new basic version with rear-wheel drive to the configurator for the Model Y in Europe. In Germany, the new model variant costs 53,990 euros. It is unclear whether the new variant will come from Grünheide – Tesla has recently been able to significantly increase production there.

Tesla gives an estimated WLTP range of 455 kilometres for the basic Model Y without a name extension with the 19-inch wheels, and 430 kilometres with the 20-inch wheels. As with the Long Range, the top speed is 217 km/h, and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h is quoted at 6.9 seconds.

Tesla currently states that the Model Y with rear-wheel drive will be available between December 2022 and February 2023. This means that fast buyers could still have the chance to claim the German environmental bonus at the current level.

However, it remains to be seen who will supply the batteries for the basic Model Y. Shortly after rumours emerged that Tesla wants to use blade batteries from BYD in the Giga Berlin, the carmaker had also received EU type-approval for the model variant. The size of the battery was given as 55 kWh, the range as 440 kilometres. The range specification is precisely the point, which is why it is presumably a different variant: Tesla had already received another EU type-approval for a Model Y with rear-wheel drive a year ago. According to the documents at the time, a 60 kWh battery from CATL is installed – with a range of exactly 455 kilometres. What is clear, however, is that, as with the basic Model 3, it is an LFP battery.

In terms of the other options in the configurator, the Model Y corresponds to the Model Y Long Range – so the trailer coupling with up to 1.6 tonnes is also available for the basic model. However, it remains to be seen whether there will be further minor changes, as with the Model 3 – for example to the built-in subwoofer or the premium connectivity.

With a price of 53,990 euros according to the configurator (the manufacturer’s share of the environmental bonus has already been deducted there), the new base model is only 3,000 euros cheaper than the long-range model with a larger battery and powerful all-wheel drive. This immediately led to speculation that the Model Y Long Range is facing a significant price increase. For the Model 3, the difference between the base model and the Long Range is 9,500 euros.

It is also becoming clear that the conversion work at the factory in Grünheide is apparently having the desired effect. As Teslamag reports, production has recently been increased significantly. After reaching an output of 1,000 Model Ys per week in Grünheide in June, production has now reached 1,800 to 1,900 cars per week, according to the information, and is to be increased to at least 2,000 Model Ys in September. Meanwhile, about half of Model Y Performance and Long Range are being produced, according to the report.

With the next increase to over 2,000 Model Ys in September, the LR share is expected to rise to 90 per cent. If this is true, the new base model will probably come from the factory in Shanghai.

The Teslas produced in Brandenburg are also likely to become more colourful in the future: While almost exclusively black and white Model Ys have been produced there so far, the paint shop in Grünheide is now technically capable of painting all colours.

Reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.

teslamag.de, tesla.com (both Model Y, in German), teslamag.de (Grünheide, in German)