With the first deliveries of the Model Y, Tesla attacks the European small electric SUV market – BFMTV

In a few days, Tesla will start deliveries in France of the last vehicle in its 100% electric range: the Model Y. Presentation of this Model 3 XXL and potential new bestseller of the American brand.

A little over two years after its presentation by Elon Musk and with, in the meantime, a context of a global pandemic, the Model Y has landed in Europe and France. The first French customers must therefore receive their car by the end of the month. While its compact SUV format is particularly popular with European motorists, its launch has lagged behind the American and Chinese markets.

Originally, the Model Y for Europe was to be produced by the Tesla factory in Berlin. But the site is not yet finished and finally Tesla will import the first Model Y from its factory in Shanghai, so as not to make those who had booked it wait too long.

It’s already better than for its little sister in the range, the Model 3, which had seen almost 3 years elapse between its presentation in April 2016 and the first models delivered in Europe in early 2019.

An XXL version of Model 3

The easiest way to define this Model Y is that it is an XXL version of the Model 3. In detail, it is a little longer (from 5.7 centimeters to 4.77 meters ), a little wider (from 7.2 centimeters to 1.85 meters) but above all 18 centimeters higher (to 1.60 meters).

A compact SUV format that particularly appeals to the public today, especially for its practicality. A criterion that is found on this Model Y, especially compared to the Model 3: the SUV has a hatchback while the sedan offers a simple trunk, less easy to use on a daily basis.

Space saving inside

Inside, we also logically find an interface similar to the Model 3, with the large touch screen in the center and a very clean interior.

The driving position is higher, the space on board a little more important, a feeling reinforced by the panoramic roof which extends to the trunk, while on the Model 3 it is divided into two parts.

At the limit of the bonus

The Model Y Grande Autonomie, with all-wheel drive, will be the first version to be marketed in Europe. It has 505 kilometers of autonomy announced according to the WLTP standard and its price starts at 59,990 euros.

Without options, it can therefore benefit from the bonus reduced to 2,000 euros for cars priced between 45,000 and 60,000 euros (6000 euros for cars less than 45,000 euros since July 1, no aid for vehicles over 60,000 euros).

A price that remains quite high and therefore to see what will already be the first balance of sales at the end of the year with competitors who have recently launched similar models in electric, in particular the German premium brands Audi, Mercedes and BMW.

Positive point for Tesla, the Model 3 remains the best-selling electric car in France and in Europe. Model Y could therefore experience the same success. Tesla does not however communicate on the number of reservations and had produced, at the end of June and since the beginning of the year, a little more than 200,000 Model 3 and Model Y, the two vehicles being assembled on the same platform, Tesla does not distinguish not both versions when communicating on his numbers.

It is currently not possible to configure your Model Y in a 7-seater configuration. In the United States, this is an option billed at 3000 dollars.

A “Performance” version, offering in particular a 0 to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds (5 seconds for the “Large Autonomy” version) is also available, with a price starting at 66,990 euros and first deliveries expected in early 2022 .