Tesla Model Y L getting more power, range

The Tesla Model Y L is receiving an update in China, bringing slightly more range as well as more power courtesy of a new electric motor.

Given Tesla Australia sources all of its models from China – bar the Model Y Performance – this update appears likely to filter through to models delivered Down Under. However, timing for the updated model has yet to be confirmed by Tesla Australia.

As reported by Chinese outlet Sina, a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology energy consumption page has revealed the Model Y L will gain more range, increasing from 751km on the CLTC cycle to 776km, with energy consumption dropping from 12.8kWh/100km to 12.4kWh/100km.

However, this reportedly isn't through the use of a new battery, with the three-row SUV reportedly receiving "core technology optimisation". Kerb weight remains the same at 2088kg.

There is some new hardware in the updated Model Y L, however. Tesla has installed its new 'TL2' front electric motor, which produces 176kW – up from 142kW in the outgoing electric motor. The rear electric motor is unchanged, and produces 198kW.

It's unclear how much this will improve acceleration, with the Model Y L currently taking 5.0 seconds to do the 0-100km/h sprint.

Tesla publishes WLTP range figures in Australia, and the current Model Y L is listed as having 681km of range under this different test cycle.

The brand opened Australian orders for the Model Y L – a stretched, six-seat version of the regular Model Y – in March.

It has proved quite popular, even outselling the core five-seater Model Y range in July. Electric Vehicle Council sales figures listed 2429 Model Y L deliveries in July, against 2215 Model Ys.

In August, sales of the Model Y and Model Y L rose. A total of 3178 Model Ys reached customers, with the Model Y L again pipping its five-seat sibling with 3236 deliveries.

The introduction of the Model Y L has once again given Australian buyers a Tesla option with more than five seats, following the discontinuation of the Model X, an updated version of which was announced for Australia in 2021 but which never eventuated. Tesla's flagship SUV has subsequently exited production globally.

The Model Y L is offered here in a single dual-motor all-wheel drive Premium variant, priced at $74,900 before on-road costs.

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