Leasing a Tesla Model Y is about to get more affordable - because a cheaper new ‘Rear-Wheel Drive’ model will be up for grabs in the coming weeks.
The all-electric Model Y was launched in Europe by Tesla late last year and slots into the Californian firm’s line-up between the cheaper Model 3 and the far-pricier Model S.
It’s a mid-size SUV to rival the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi Q4 e-tron, and the upcoming Polestar 3.
Up until now, you could enjoy the Model Y as either ‘Long Range’ or ‘Performance’ variants - both of them dual-motor, all-wheel drive. And both of them packing a serious punch, with the Performance having power of 483 bhp and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds.
Now, though, there’s a new Model Y - the Rear-Wheel Drive - which makes do with a single motor but shaves a cool £6,000 off the asking price compared with the Long Range. The Rear-Wheel Drive costs from £51,990, the Long Range starts at £57,990.
And when the Rear-Wheel Drive becomes available to lease customers next month, you should also see that RRP difference reflected in your monthly leasing fees - which is great news amidst a cost of living crisis.
The other good thing about the Rear-Wheel Drive Model Y is that it’s still a plenty-capable car.
You’ll enjoy a range of up to 283 miles between charges as well as power of 260 bhp and a 0-60 mph sprint time of 6.6 seconds.
That’s pretty much on a par with the entry-level Mustang Mach-E - with the ‘RWD Standard Range’ Ford able to travel up to 273 miles before you need to stop and plug-in, while also boasting power of 269 PS and a similar 0-62mph pace as the base Tesla Model Y.
With the ‘budget’ Model Y you also still get a panoramic glass roof, massive 15 inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a vegan interior.
Like with other Teslas, the Model Y also gives you the chance to upgrade with the ‘Enhanced Autopilot’ pack - a £3,800 option - which includes ‘Navigate on Autopilot’, ‘Auto Lane Change’, ‘Autopark’, ‘Summon’ and ‘Smart Summon’ features.
Elsewhere in Tesla Model Y news, the electric SUV has also been awarded the full five stars from the European New Car Assessment Programme - aka Euro NCAP.
It managed a score of 98% for its safety systems - the highest ever tally in the ‘safety assist’ category.
The Model Y also hit 97% for adult occupant protection and 87% for child occupant protection.
Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer from Thatcham Research, said:
“The Tesla Model Y has aced testing, securing outstanding all-round safety ratings. It has scored the highest grade ever seen in the Safety Assist category at 98% along with 2022’s highest Adult Occupant Protection score of 97%. In this respect, Tesla is setting the standard for emergency safety system performance.”
There were also five star ratings for two new cars from China - the all-electric ORA Funky Cat and plug-in hybrid WEY Coffee 01.
We’ve been keeping an eye on the Funky Cat on these news pages in the past few weeks, as the Cat is set to pounce on the UK imminently, while the Coffee O1 is slated for a Brit launch at the back end of next year.
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