Tesla Model Y News

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With its international launch bearing down, here’s what we know so far about the Model Y.

The all-new Tesla Model Y SUV has been revealed at an event in the US, with the more compact crossover variant mimicking the design of the larger Model X.The long-awaited Model Y is essentially a pumped-up, more practical version of the Model 3 hatch, with a taller body and higher ride height, along with model-unique styling features, setting it apart.It is still offered with all-wheel drive, but the entry level models will be rear-wheel drive. There are set to be four variants offered.The most affordable version is known as the Standard Range, with 370 kilometres and capable of doing 0-60mph (0-96km/h) of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h. It will be on sale in Spring 2021, at a price of US$39,000 ($55,000)Next up is the Long Range, with 483km of battery range, a top speed of 210km/h, a 0-96km/h claim of 5.5sec, and a price tag of US$47,000 ($66,350). Deliveries for it, and the models above it (listed below) will start in the Northern Hemisphere autumn of 2020, so any time from September next year.The Dual Motor AWD model is the next model up, with a US$51,000 asking price ($72,000). That model is set to be capable of running 0-96km/h in 4.8sec, a top speed of 217km/h, and it will have a range of 450km.The top of the range Performance version is said to be capable of a 0-60mph or 0-96km/h of 3.5sec. Its top speed will be capped at 240km/h. It will have an electric range of 450km, and will cost US$60,000 ($84,700).Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the Model Y will be available with seven seats (more of a 5+2 seat layout than the larger Model X), and that it will focus on function and fun.“It will have the functionality of an SUV but will ride like a sports car,” Mr Musk said, stating the model will have the option of a panoramic glass roof, a slippery drag coefficient of 0.23Cd, and up to 1900 litres of cargo space.He claims the Model Y “will be the safest midsize SUV in the world by far”, and that the car is aimed at family customers. “Safety is the number one goal. Performance, sure - but safety first. This is the most important thing.”Mr Musk stated that the brand will have full “self driving sometime later this year”, and that it will be “safe enough to not pay attention”, before adding that the brand would enable it and then “get the regulatory approval after that”. The aspirations are high for the Model Y. Mr Musk said that he feels the company will eventually “do more Model Y than Model X and 3 combined”. Mr Musk said the company has come along way in a few years, suggesting that people “take electric cars for granted”. “There was a time when electric cars seemed very stupid,” Mr Musk said. “Making an electric car company was like stupidity squared.”The addition of the Model Y gives the brand’s eccentric leader, Elon Musk, his much desired “S3XY" range. Tesla was unable to do a Model E, as that trademark is owned by Ford.Australian buyers will have to wait and see what happens - CarsGuide contacted Tesla Australia for comment on timing and pricing for the all-new model, but the company had nothing to say at this point in time.Australian customers seem to be low on the priority list, with the Model 3 still not yet arriving here almost a year after the first examples hit roads in the US. Customers can reserve a Model 3 by paying a deposit, but the actual pricing and specification levels are unknown, and the wait time is lengthy.

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Elon Musk's plan to bring S.3.X.Y back is one step closer, with the Tesla boss finally confirming a date for the unveiling of its new Model Y crossover.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced during his company's annual shareholder meeting this week that the Model Y will be the next vehicle to join the EV-makers' range, with an approximate launch date slat

Tesla has announced that the cars it's now building are able to drive themselves and all you need to do is get in and tell it where you want to go.Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the news overnight on Twitter and through the company's blog saying that its latest vehicles are being built with technology that will enable them to be fully autonomous."We're excited to announce that as of today, all Tesla vehicles produced in our factory – including the Model 3 – will have the hardware needed  for full self-driving capability at a safety level substantially greater than that of a human driver," Tesla posted in its official blog.The number of cameras has been doubled from four to eight to give the car 360 degrees of visibility for up to 250m which Tesla says enables the car to pilot itself "in all circumstances at what we believe will be a probablity of safety at least twice as good as the average human driver."These cameras are supported by 12 updated ultrasonic sensors that can detect hard and soft objects almost twice as far away as the previous system. A forward facing radar with improved processing uses a redundant wavelength that lets it see through heavy rain, fog, dust and the car in front.All you will need to do is get in and tell your car where to go.An on-board computer with 40 times the computing power of the previous generation processes the data coming in from the camera, radar and sensors.Tesla's last generation optional Autopilot system was capable of self-driving, but needed careful supervision by the driver who could be there take over if needed – you can read our review of the self-driving Model S here. The new Enhanced Autopliot appears to be a major leap forward."The basic news is that all vehicles exiting the factory have the hardware for Level 5 autonomy – the cameras, the compute power. On the order of 2000 cars a week we have hardware capable of full self-driving autonomy," Musk said.SAE International defines Level 5 autonomy as the highest level of driving automation in which the vehicle can perform all aspects of dynamic driving under all conditions – both road and weather – than can be managed by a human.According to Tesla the Enhanced Autopilot will be available to download from December 2016."All you will need to do is get in and tell your car where to go. If you don't say anything, the car will look at your calendar and take you there as your assumed destination or just home if nothing is on the calendar," according to the Tesla website.A video released by Tesla of Enhanced Autopilot in action on public roads displayed the car's impressively ability to move through traffic and skilfully handle everyday situations such as busy intersections and highways before dropping off its passenger and then finding a place to park on its own.And in his true show man style Musk added in a tweet:"When you want your car to return, tap Summon on your phone. It will eventually find you even if you are on the other side of the country."

Tesla's plan to bring S3XY back has been revealed, with CEO Elon Musk finally confirming the company's mooted small SUV will be named the Model Y.