After unveiling the Chinese version, Tesla officially introduced the new Model Y Juniper in Belgium. A series of upgrades are introduced to safeguard the SUV’s leading position in sales. Deliveries are set to begin in March, as the Grünheide factory in Germany has already commenced production. But Belgian prices show a steep 9,000 euros increase over the outgoing model.
The Model Y Juniper is one of the most essential facelifts in the industry, as it represents the world’s best-selling EV and the best-selling nameplate overall. The new design is a much more recognizable workthrough than the Model 3 Highland, as the sleeker front-end design draws inspiration from Tesla’s Cybertruck.
This seems to be the brand’s new signature style. A thin LED light bar spans the front, paired with redesigned headlights integrated into the bumper.
Slightly larger
Like most EVs, the rear end features a full-width red taillight, a sportier bumper, and a ducktail spoiler. These changes, combined with a reduced drag coefficient of 0.22 Cd (down from 0.23 Cd), improve aerodynamics, enhancing range and efficiency.
The updated SUV is slightly larger than its predecessor, measuring 4,797 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,890 mm. New 19-inch and 20-inch wheels and an exclusive blue paint option complete the exterior updates.
Upgraded cargo area
Inside, the Model Y Juniper mirrors the recent updates made to the Model 3 sedan. Hopefully, this also accounts for a hike in material quality. A 15-inch floating touchscreen powered by AMD Ryzen takes center stage, providing a minimalist cabin design that integrates all driving and vehicle information into the central display.
There’s also a screen now for back passengers to enjoy watching Netflix or games. New ventilated seats, improved rear-seat ergonomics with extended headrests, and one-button power adjustments for the second row enhance passenger comfort. Tesla also introduced Low-E glass for the windscreen, which reflects sunlight 26% better to improve thermal management in the interior and improve range.
Additional features include a panoramic sunroof with a silver-plated coating, a 16-speaker sound system, and a steering-column-mounted turn signal stalk, which Tesla has upgraded in response to prior user concerns. Tesla has also upgraded the Model Y’s boot by adding electric seat-folding buttons, improving practicality for loading and unloading.
Range of 568 kilometers
Ultimately, the Model Y Juniper will be offered in two trims. The rear-wheel drive (RWD) version features a 62.5 kWh CATL-made LFP battery pack paired with a single rear motor delivering 220 kW (295 hp).
A key focus is energy consumption. Thanks to improved streamlining and enhanced engine and battery management, the average consumption drops to 15.3 kWh/100 km, down from the previous 16.9 kWh/100 km. This improvement boosts the official WLTP driving range to 568 kilometers, gaining 33 kilometers compared to the last ‘Long Range AWD’ model.
Charging capabilities remain unchanged. The onboard inverter supports up to 11 kW (three-phase) on alternating current, while 250 kW is possible at fast chargers.
The Juniper model’s Launch Edition price in Belgium is 61,990 euros. This version eclipses the outgoing Long Range AWD model (which temporarily benefits from a 5,000 euro incentive from Tesla).
The gap is wide, representing a difference of at least 9,000 euros. It’s also significantly more than the Chinese version, where the increase is 4.3%. The additional versions, complementing the range at a later phase, like RWD, will drive the price down.
Production in Germany
Logically, Tesla has also commenced production at its Grünheide Gigafactory, which was kickstarted. The carmaker adjusted the lines during the Christmas holiday break, but a spokesperson said it was not the official production start. These were the first test runs for scrutineering and further quality checks.
With significant numbers of customers (one in three in the Netherlands) considering abandoning their Tesla due to CEO Elon Musk’s extreme right-leaning political stance, it remains intriguing to see whether the updated Model Y can help reverse the trend.
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