Tesla is planning a “super long range” Model Y electric crossover

Tesla is planning a “super long-range” version of its Model Y electric crossover, according to documents filed with Chinese authorities.

The new variant, which has been registered in the new filings alongside existing variants, will have 640km of driving range according to the NEDC rating that is still used in China (as well as Australia).

In reality, this will likely translate to around 550km real-world driving range (565km using US-based EPA ratings and 584km using the European WLTP cycle which Tesla also shows on its website in Australia).

While the documents do not make clear the size of the battery, it does state that it would be a dual motor with a 137kW motor on the front axle and 184kW motor on the rear axle. With this combination, a maximum 559Nm torque would be achievable.

In total, Tesla’s Shanghai-based arm has registered five Model Ys in the seventh “new energy vehicle” catalogue issued by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for 2021. The other four consist of the Standard Range (on sale in Hong Kong), Standard Range Plus, Long Range and Performance.

The Model Y is not currently available for sale in Australia, but its launch on the local auto market is expected within months.

In early August, the first three Model Ys in right-hand-drive configuration were shipped to Australia presumably for pre-launch staff testing, and local homologation and certification.

Notably, these include a Standard Range Model Y (not the Standard Range Plus which is an option for the Model 3 locally), which is also available in Hong Kong, a fellow right-hand-drive market. None of these are yet listed on the government vehicle certification site RVCS.

Local pricing has been a topic of speculation, with early estimates heading towards $A100,000. But more recent estimates based on  Hong Kong pricing put the Standard Range at around $A66,000, the Long Range at around $83,000 and the Performance version at around $94,500.