Source: MIIT

Tesla has launched a new long-range rear-wheel-drive version of the Model Y in China with an 821-kilometer CLTC range.

The model appeared in the national catalogue of new energy vehicles eligible for purchase-tax exemptions, and Tesla confirmed its market introduction on November 8.

The new variant is priced at 288,500 CNY (c. $40,600), placing it between the standard rear-wheel-drive and long-range all-wheel-drive versions in the lineup.

The vehicle uses a 78.4 kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack, identical to the pack deployed in the long-range rear-wheel-drive Model 3. Its exterior design remains unchanged from the existing Model Y, including dimensions of 4,797 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, 1,624 mm in height, and a 2,890-mm wheelbase.

It retains a five-seat layout and offers a choice of 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. The model introduces a “Model Y+” badge on the tailgate to distinguish the long-range configuration.

The rear motor generates 225 kW, a modest increase over the standard rear-wheel-drive version. The 0–100 km/h acceleration time remains around 5.9 seconds, and top speed is listed at 201 km/h.

Aside from the badge and battery capacity, the vehicle’s interior and exterior remain aligned with the existing model.

Early demand for the new variant was strong. On launch day, orders reached a volume equivalent to several weeks of production at Tesla’s Shanghai factory. In Beijing, sales staff reported several hundred units sold on the first day, and store traffic over the weekend was driven largely by interest in the new long-range configuration.

Source: Tesla China

Delivery estimates increased from an initial 2–4 weeks to 4–6 weeks as orders increased. Tesla stores did not have dedicated display or test-drive units for the model due to its similarity to the existing rear-wheel-drive version.

In comparison, the long-range all-wheel-drive Model Y in China is priced at 313,500 CNY, with a CLTC range of 750 km.

The new rear-wheel drive variant offers longer range at a lower price point, and its range also exceeds that of many Chinese competitors in the same segment.

The launch occurs during a period of lower sales for Tesla in China, and the expanded lineup provides an additional configuration targeting buyers seeking longer range without stepping up to the all-wheel-drive version.

As Tesla continues to face competition from Chinese manufacturers, the new long-range rear-wheel-drive Model Y serves as a strategic addition to the portfolio.

The coming months will indicate whether extended range at this price level can help secure Tesla’s leading position in the awakening of serious competition coming from Xiaomi, Huawei, and XPeng.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 7.099 CNY as of November 15, 2025