Tesla’s New Model Y L is Minimalist Luxury and Technology at the Fore

Tesla’s new Model Y L comes with a price tag of INR 62 lakhs, putting it firmly in the luxury car category in India. But it also peddles a new-age ideal of luxury, where minimalism, reductive design, and futuristic technology are the main talking points. The Elon Musk-led company launches its Model Y L in India this month, a long-wheelbase variant of its existing Model Y, which we spoke about a few months ago.

What’s New

There are the obvious bragging pointers to highlight, like the promised range of 681 kms on a single charge and a 5-second sprint from 0 to 100 kmph, but for me, it's the design and technology on the inside that spell luxury. On the outside, the car remains largely the same, albeit longer by 179 mm, as the standard Y model, barring the striking new 19-inch Machina wheels that it sits on. The Model Y L is a six-seater, spread across three rows in a resolutely plush, natural light-bathed cabin. The second row gets captain seats with powered armrests, electric folding, as well as seat cooling and heating, while the third row even comes with a recline option and dedicated climate control vents.

The Details

No faulting the cabin as such, but if we were to nitpick, the choice of captain seats on the second row of a family car is not ideal for an Indian family car, where one middle passenger could have been accommodated without having to push them to the third row. Tesla’s famous ultra-quiet ride can be experienced in this car too, and a suite of 18 speakers from the Tesla Audio system enhances the infotainment experience. The Model Y L comes with adaptive suspension and is engineered to reduce road vibrations, making it ideal for Indian road conditions. It also comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive, which significantly enhances the road handling and drive experience. 

Tesla positions itself as a tech-first company, relying effectively on AI for its different touchpoint and this car is a case in point - the 16-inch touchscreen at the front has to be my favourite design element in the car, beautifully suspended above the front console, and a user-interface that will make design enthusiasts swoon. The cabin comes with 7 phone charging points, a suite of ADAS features as well as a variety of inbuilt apps that you can tinker around with to enhance your experience.

Tesla’s Model Y L is an interesting offering and an even more interesting price point, competing with entry-level luxury players like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. We do predict an increased interest in the Tesla cult in India.