After much anticipation, the first official Tesla Model Y Performance customer deliveries began in Australia on Friday.Ā
The first vehicle was delivered to a Queensland customer who had been waiting for over 6 months to receive it. He shared the news of the delivery on Twitter:
I am the first Model Y Performance customer delivery in Australia! pic.twitter.com/aG477j4ctw
— Jason Khan (@JasonJohnKhan) February 10, 2023
This particular Model Y Performance is blue with a white interior. It came with ultrasonic sensor which have been removed in some markets.Ā
The first batch of Model Y Performance also confirms that the tyres on these vehicles are the Pirelli P Zero instead of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S found on many Australian-delivered Tesla Model 3 Performance EVs. It comes standard with 21āā Ćberturbine Wheels.
Along with that, it also included the Universal Mobile Charger (UMC) which has previously been removed by Tesla in some markets and needs to be purchased separately.
This news comes less than a month after reports showed the first 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance cars built for NZ.
At that time, there was some suggestion that Australian cars were also built at that time as both markets share right-hand-drive vehicles.
Many of these first delivered were built in January 2023 and have this yearās compliance plates on them.
The Model Y Performance is quite unique as it delivers the best of both worlds with space and performance. The dual-motor setup produces 393 kW of power and can get from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.Ā
Thatās 173 kW of more power than the standard range Model Y which had its first customer deliveries back in August last year. Over 8,000 have been delivered so far to Australian shores.
The Performance model also bumps the range up from 451 km to 514 km, thanks to its larger 82 kWh battery pack.
The top speed is also increased from 217 km/h to 250 km/h thanks to the dual motors and lowered suspension. Like most Tesla Performance models, there is also a subtle carbon fibre rear spoiler.
There has also been confirmation of Tesla launching the Track Mode for Tesla Model Y Performance owners as well. This comes after an Australian Tesla enthusiast from Wollongong in NSW, Tesla in the Gong, requested Elon Musk on Twitter:
Itās coming
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 22, 2022
With the start of the Tesla Model Y Performance deliveries, it marks a major milestone for Tesla as now both of its popular vehicles have a dual-motor version in Australiaās fleet.
This has offered more choices to many customers who wanted space, sportiness and all-wheel-drive traction. We look forward to seeing more of them on Australian roads very soon.
RizĀ is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.