This is the anticipated Tesla Model Y

Finally, the Tesla Model Y has been unveiled and, just as we expected, it is exactly what we had hoped for

The Tesla Model Y is finally here. After years of speculation, rumors and confirmations, the event was scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 14, local time in California, USA, which meant the early hours of the morning in Spain. Elon Musk would proudly show off the latest of his electric cars.

From the Palo Alto headquarters, the media were invited, and the presentation could be followed through the website dedicated to the Tesla Model Y itself. It was a simple, minimalist staging, yet carefully considered and very well prepared, comparable to the image that Tesla cars project.

In a presentation in which Musk seemed willing to interact with the audience, despite the script, the applause began with the appearance of the Tesla Roadster, a car that arrived eleven years ago. Musk then introduced the Tesla Model S, the electric luxury saloon that remains the benchmark, at least for now; followed by the Tesla Model X SUV; the last car to go on sale until yesterday, the Tesla Model 3; the gleaming 2017 Tesla Roadster also made an appearance; then the Tesla Semi tractor unit burst onto the stage and, after a lengthy pause for effect, the new SUV from Tesla appeared.

And finally, the Tesla Model Y arrived

A Tesla Model Y that is exactly as expected. Inspired by the Tesla Model 3, this compact SUV, which seats up to seven, fulfills the image we had been imagining for months.

A vehicle built with the safety of its occupants as its top priority, with the handling of a Sport Utility Vehicle and the passenger-carrying capacity of an MPV. That is how the ideal behind the design of the Tesla Model Y could be described.

Thanks again to the placement of the electric drivetrain, a low centre of gravity is achieved, which gives it stability and agile handling, supported by an all-wheel-drive system in the case of the Tesla Model Y Dual Motor AWD, with two independent motors acting on each axle. The power output of these has not yet been disclosed.

Its design also yields a drag coefficient (Cx) of just 0.23. Thanks to its electric power, this car can reach 241 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds in the Tesla Model Y Performance version. Its range, according to WLTP cycle measurements, runs from 230 km for the Tesla Model Y Standard Range up to 540 km for the Tesla Model Y Long Range.

Recharging the battery at one of Tesla’s Superchargers can take 15 minutes to add a range of 270 km.

Also among the car’s features, one of the main highlights inside is autonomous driving. The Tesla Model Y Autopilot sits at Level 2 although, according to the company, it will be expanded through software updates without the need to add or modify any elements or devices already present in the Tesla Model Y. This is managed through the steering wheel and the information shown on a 15-inch screen mounted in the centre of the dashboard.

Production of the Tesla Model Y

Production of the new Tesla Model Y is scheduled to begin at the end of 2020 in North America and at the start of 2021 in Europe and China. Meanwhile, production of the Tesla Model Y Standard Range will start at the beginning of 2021 in North America, and not until early 2022 in Europe and China.

The vehicle will be available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium and Spain. It can already be reserved online or through local dealers with a deposit of $2,500.

Price of the Tesla Model Y

The price of the Tesla Model Y Long Range with a single electric motor is 56,000 euros, making this version the cheapest Tesla Model Y, since the Tesla Model Y Long Range Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive variant rises to 61,000 euros and the Tesla Model Y Long Range Performance reaches 69,000 euros. The price of the Tesla Model Y Standard version has not yet been announced.