New Tesla Model Y is a more chiselled, quieter version of mega-seller… it moves the game on for a tech-rich family motor

I’M struggling to keep up with Elon Musk and his on/ off bromance with Donald Trump. 

Are they buddies again? 

simon thompson

simon thompson

The cabin gets a techy glow-up with the gear selector shifted to the screen – and wraparound LEDs[/caption]

simon thompson

One thing I do know is that Tesla sales are down eight per cent in Great Britainland. 

Some say it’s because Musk backed Trump for President, followed by that awkward hand gesture at the inauguration. 

Some say it’s the Chinese invasion. 

Maybe in part. 

But mostly it’s due to Tesla halting production of the mega-selling Model Y at its Berlin gigafactory to tool up for the new one. 

Now everything is sorted and sales are likely to take off like a Space X rocket. 

Here are ten things you need to know about the new motor. 

1. The old one was fugly. The world’s best-selling car two years on the bounce, yes. But still fugly.

That’s sorted now. This new one is more chiselled.

It’s like they’ve taken a photo of the Cybertruck to a surgeon and gone, “This please”.

The lower nose helps it slice through the air, adding a bit more range. 

2. They’ve deleted the Tesla badge from the bonnet. Confident move. 

3. But the biggest change is at the back. There’s a new reflective lightbar which highlights T E S L A written out in full.

Also, the rear diffuser sticks out more. So repair bills will be lower if you reverse into something you shouldn’t. Which helps with insurance too. 

4. The “frunk” — front trunk — now has a plughole in it. So you can fill it with ice for summer barbecues. Or store muddy boots. 

5. Cabin. The gear selector has moved to the big screen — like a Model 3.

But they’ve kept the indicator stalk. Unlike a Model 3.

The wrapround LED strip is new. The front seats will warm and cool your back. They didn’t before. Other things.

The seat bases are longer in the back. So they’re more comfortable.

There’s a little entertainment screen to play arcade games.

The front passenger seat moves forward at the touch of a button for limo-like legroom. 

6. Sound. It’s now much quieter in here which makes it feel more expensive. There’s extra insulation.

Acoustic glass. Redesigned door seals. All little details that add up. 

7. The boot is a smidge smaller. But you’ll never notice. I had to look it up.

The seats now fold up and down automatically, where they only folded flat before. You had to push them back up. 

8. The suspension has been tweaked so it rides better. Batteries and motors are unchanged.

But improved regenerative braking tech adds more electrons.

Every version should do 300 miles-plus, with the rear-wheel drive Long Range hitting 387 miles.

There’s talk of a bigger battery nudging 500 miles. 

9. Price. The standard rear-drive Model Y starts at £45k, which is £2k more than before. Not bad.

The all-singing all-wheel drive Long Range is £52k. 

10. This isn’t specific to Model Y but Tesla’s Supercharger network blows everyone else out of the water.

It’s next-level good. Quick. Easy. No cards. No apps. And cheaper too. 

It doesn’t really matter if you like Musk or not. If you want a minimalist, tech-rich family motor, Model Y moves the game on. 

simon thompson

There’s a little entertainment screen to play arcade games[/caption]

simon thompson

Getty