Tesla has filed for approval of a new version of its five-seat Model Y SUV in China, a variant expected to deliver a significantly longer range similar to the upgraded Model 3 sedan introduced in August.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) published a new catalog on Thursday for public comment that includes the Model Y+, marking the final major regulatory step before a model can go on sale in the country. Public feedback will be accepted between October 10 and 15.
According to the filing, the Model Y+ carries the model number TSL6480BEVBR0 and shares identical dimensions with the existing five-seat Model Y — 4,797 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. It features a single-motor powertrain delivering up to 225 kW (302 horsepower), the same as the recently launched Model 3 long range rear-wheel-drive variant.
The new Model Y+ uses ternary lithium-ion battery cells supplied by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution, also used in the updated Model 3. While Tesla has not yet disclosed the range specifications, the new SUV is widely expected to become the longest-range option in the Model Y lineup. For comparison, the Model 3 long range variant offers a CLTC range of 830 kilometers.
See also: Tesla Launches New Model Y and Model 3 Standard Variants Starting at $36,990 in U.S.
Tesla’s current Model Y range in China includes the five-seat rear-wheel-drive, five-seat long range all-wheel-drive, and six-seat Model Y L versions, priced at RMB 263,500 ($36,980), RMB 313,500, and RMB 339,000 respectively. Their CLTC ranges stand at 593 km, 750 km, and 751 km.
The Model Y+ filing mirrors July’s Model 3+ approval, which later debuted as the long range rear-wheel-drive model. Analysts expect the new variant to slot between the base and long range all-wheel-drive versions, potentially offering around 800 km of range on the CLTC cycle.
