Tesla Motors' Six-Seater Game Changer
Tesla Motors has once again surprised the market with an unexpected vehicle launch. The Tesla Model Y L quietly appeared on the official website, featuring a single configuration priced at 339,000 yuan, with September delivery for current orders.
Interestingly, Tesla Motors has not listed the Model Y L as a separate model. Customers must access it through the Model Y page, where it appears as the final option in the Model Y lineup.
The pricing proves somewhat surprising, deviating from the widely anticipated 400,000 yuan range. At 339,000 yuan, the Model Y L costs only 25,500 yuan more than the comparable Long Range Dual Motor Model Y. However, selecting the Full Self-Driving (FSD) option pushes the price beyond 400,000 yuan.
This 25,500 yuan premium delivers significant value: extended wheelbase, third-row seating, second-row captain's chairs with electric adjustable armrests, front-row electric leg rests, and a larger central display screen.
Following extensive testing of the Model Y L prior to its official launch, the conclusion is clear: the cabin space deserves high praise, and interior quality has reached a new level.
**Space Performance Surpasses Model X**
As a six-seater vehicle, spatial performance remains the primary concern. The front-row experience largely mirrors the current Model Y, including seating position height and driver-passenger space, with notable improvements in comfort optimization.
The seats feature enhanced design elements, including height-adjustable headrests, standard ventilation and heating, plus electric leg rests. The central display upgrades from 15.4 inches to 16 inches, while the audio system expands from 16 to 19 speakers.
The second row transforms into two captain's chairs separated by a central aisle accessing the third row. A new B-pillar air vent serves the second row, with seats featuring design consistency with the front row, excluding electric leg rests, while maintaining ventilation and heating capabilities.
The innovative hidden armrests represent a unique feature. These electrically adjustable armrests completely integrate into the seat sides when retracted, creating wider central passage space for easier third-row access compared to conventional six-seater configurations where armrests only fold upward.
However, this design presents drawbacks: the lack of soft material coverage creates a somewhat cheap feel, and the armrest length falls short of optimal comfort, potentially causing arm fatigue during extended use.
Second-row dimensions include 53cm seat width, 51cm length, and 34cm height, providing adequate body support. With the front seats positioned comfortably for a 182cm driver, the second row offers generous legroom (approximately one fist plus four fingers) and abundant headroom (nearly three fists of space).
Third-row access reveals a prominent floor platform, indicating comfort limitations. The elevated platform creates insufficient seat height, forcing passengers into a crouched position with the front third of thighs unsupported. Legroom measures approximately four fingers, while headroom provides over one fist of clearance.
While third-row comfort remains challenging, spatial performance significantly exceeds the Model X, offering superior leg and headrooms.
**Beyond a Simple Model Y Extension**
Externally, the Model Y L might initially appear as a refreshed Model Y, given identical front and rear design elements. However, the actual vehicle presents a distinctly "larger" presence.
The Model Y L features comprehensive dimensional changes beyond wheelbase extension. The wheelbase reaches 3,040 millimeters, extending 150 millimeters beyond the current model and surpassing even the Model X.
This 150mm wheelbase increase translates to a 4,976-millimeter total length, 179 millimeters longer than the current Model Y. Vehicle height increases 44 millimeters to 1,668 millimeters, delivering noticeable headroom improvements. Width remains unchanged at 1,920mm.
These dimensional changes may initially appear proportionally awkward due to familiarity with the five-seat Model Y's silhouette. Extended viewing reveals a more substantial, robust appearance compared to the Model Y.
Key visual distinctions include enlarged rear quarter windows due to wheelbase extension, extended rear doors from the B-pillar backward, significantly repositioned C-pillars, and more gradual roofline descent, creating a more relaxed, stable profile rather than the Model Y's compact, dynamic coupe-like stance.
The rear section resembles a compact Model X, featuring reinforced roof framework and subtle ducktail design elements.
To address potential handling concerns from extended wheelbase and increased weight, Tesla Motors implemented several modifications. The Model Y L adopts wider 275-specification rear tires versus the current model's 255 specification, enhancing grip, stability, and handling performance.
Powertrain upgrades include a 142kW front motor and 198kW rear motor, delivering 340kW combined output—9kW more than the dual-motor Model Y's 331kW, offsetting weight increases. The battery capacity increases to 82kWh (4kWh additional) to maintain range despite weight gains, while CDC (Continuous Damping Control) adaptive dampers enhance chassis performance.
The 4.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration demonstrates uncompromised performance, while the official 12.8kWh/100km energy consumption maintains industry-leading efficiency.
These details reveal Tesla Motors' development philosophy for the Model Y L: rather than simple wheelbase extension, the approach maintains core strengths while enhancing comfort and practicality.
