Tesla plans to launch a new six-seat variant of its Model Y SUV, dubbed the Model Y L, in China this fall, as the U.S. automaker aims to strengthen its competitive edge in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market.
The company announced the plan on its official Weibo account, sharing teaser images of the vehicle. Although Tesla did not explicitly confirm the seating configuration, a regulatory catalog released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) indicated that the new model will have six seats.
The Model Y L, listed under the product model number TSL6500BEVBA0, features a significantly larger body, measuring 4,976 mm in length with a 3,040 mm wheelbase.
The dual-motor SUV offers peak power outputs of 142 kW in the front and 198 kW in the rear, and is equipped with ternary batteries supplied by South Korea’s LG Energy Solution. The vehicle has a curb weight of 2,088 kg and a top speed of 201 km/h.
While Tesla has yet to disclose official pricing, local media reports suggest the Model Y L could start around RMB 400,000 ($55,710), positioning it above the five-seat Model Y variants, which currently retail between RMB 263,500 and RMB 313,500 in China.
Tesla’s decision to broaden its Model Y lineup arrives as competition heats up in the domestic SUV market. Despite an influx of rivals, the Model Y has remained one of Tesla’s best-selling vehicles since it began deliveries from the Shanghai Gigafactory in January 2021.
