Tesla’s push to expand its family vehicle lineup is picking up speed across Europe. The long-wheelbase version of its popular crossover is officially testing on European soil, signaling that a local launch could be right around the corner.
European automotive publication Carwow recently spotted the Model Y L racing down a test track in Germany with the front and rear camouflaged in a black-and-white wrap. The test vehicle was sporting a German license plate and a set of 20-inch Uberhelix wheels without their aerodynamic covers. This first European sighting comes just days after Tesla launched the Model Y L in the U.S., with North American deliveries slated to begin this September out of Gigafactory Texas.
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Tesla Model Y L: Everything You Need to Know
The Model Y L is a stretched, long-wheelbase version of the standard Model Y, serving as a true three-row, six-seat vehicle with a 2-2-2 layout. It measures 196 inches in length, 7 inches longer than the standard Model Y (compare Model Y L and Model Y). The Model Y L features a family-oriented suspension setup and premium features designed to cleanly fill the void left behind after Tesla discontinued the Model X earlier this year.
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Size comparison: Model Y L vs. Model Y
That’s not to say it lacks in performance, though. The Model Y L boasts an impressive 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. In terms of efficiency, range has been similar to the Model Y Premium AWD in every market that has gotten the Model Y L so far, so the WLTP-rated range for Europe is expected to hover around 600 kilometers when equipped with the default 19-inch wheels. The 20-inch Uberhelix wheels seen on the German test track will likely drop that range figure by about 10 kilometers.
Inside the cabin, luxury takes center stage. The front row includes heated and ventilated seats with a powered thigh cushion, while the second row features heated and ventilated captain seats with powered armrests and a one-touch fold mechanism. The third row gets heated seats with power recline and child seat anchors. Passengers can enjoy a 16-inch central touchscreen paired with an 8-inch second-row display, a 19-speaker immersive audio system, and upgraded 50-watt wireless phone chargers with active cooling. There’s also a massive 89 cubic feet of trunk space when everything is folded down.
Battery specifications remain a bit of a mystery for the European market. Giga Shanghai builds the Model Y L with an 88 kWh battery, while vehicles being assembled in Texas carry an 83 kWh pack. It remains to be seen what Europe will get.
Pricing and Availability
We previously speculated that a European launch could follow soon after the Model Y L landed in North America, especially since it already received EU type approval late last year. It took a little over two months after the Model Y L was first spotted testing with a camouflage wrap in the U.S. for order books to officially open. Europe could follow a similar timeline as Tesla sorts out production tooling at Giga Berlin.
The Model Y L originally debuted in China last summer before expanding to Australia, New Zealand, and several Asian markets. In China, it sits comfortably between the Premium (Long Range) AWD and the Performance trim in terms of price. However, in the U.S., it launched as a flagship product with a higher price tag than the Performance model.
If Tesla follows the U.S. strategy in Europe, the Model Y L could become the most expensive option in the local Model Y lineup, likely starting around €66,990. If that happens, early buyers might also see orders bundled with a premium Launch Series package to celebrate the rollout (and somewhat offset the higher cost). With camouflage testing already underway on track lanes, European drivers might not have to wait much longer for Tesla’s first true family hauler.