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Elon Musk unveils the Model Y, Tesla’s compact SUV

Elon Musk unveiled the Model Y earlier just now with the event being published on a live stream as well. The Model Y  is an all-electric, mid-size SUV designed for maximum versatility and safety. Model Y will start at $39,000 (around RM160k) for the Standard Range version, and will also come in Long Range, Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Performance variants.

The Model Y is Tesla’s take on a small sized SUV which has garnered a lot of global appeal as of late and it comes as a good time because as Tesla ramps up production of more vehicles to achieve a state of profitability, the Model Y would complement the Model 3 very nicely.

The vehicle is spacious enough to carry seven adults does 0-100 kmh in as little as 3.5 seconds and a top speed of up to 240kmh, with excellent handling for any road condition. Model Y Standard Battery will have a 370km range, while Model Y Long Range will be able to travel up to 483km on a single charge.

Inside, Model Y’s panoramic glass roof and high seating creates a feeling of spaciousness and offers an expansive view from every seat in the vehicle. The front trunk and split-folding second-row seats provide a total of 66 cubic feet (1.9 cubic meters) of storage space. Like Model 3, Model Y requires no keys, but instead connects to your smartphone for seamless entry and exit, with a single 15-inch touchscreen interface inside for all of the car’s controls. Model Y also connects with the Tesla Mobile app for unique, easy-to-access features like remote unlock, Summon, remote pre-conditioning, location tracking, Speed Limit Mode, and much more.

In his speech, Musk says that the Model Y is designed to be the safest mid-size SUV. Built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, the low center of gravity, rigid body structure and large crumple zones provide unparalleled protection. Its aerodynamic design and leading battery technology also make it highly-efficient in terms of energy usage, meaning you can achieve better range with less energy than other EVs on the market. Model Y is also compatible with our current Supercharger network of more than 12,000 Superchargers in 36 countries, as well as our new V3 Superchargers which can charge at rates up to 1,000 miles per hour.

Deliveries are expected to begin in Fall 2020 for Model Y Performance, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive variants, and Spring 2021 for the $39,000 Model Y Standard Range.