Launched: Tesla Model Y – Three Guises, Up to 533 KM Range, From RM199,000

Tesla Motors Malaysia officially announced its entry into the local market earlier today at Pavilion KL.

It’s official. Tesla has entered Malaysia through its Cyberjaya-based subsidiary Tesla Motors Malaysia, bringing forth its unique direct-to-consumer sales model and approach plus online vehicle purchase platform. For the latter, the firm has elected to launch just one model for now, and it’s none other than the Model Y.

As we’ve noted prior when Tesla Motors Malaysia quietly launched said model’s online configurator, Malaysians can finally acquire said electric crossover with official after-sales support included. No less than three guises with two battery capacities, as well as single- or dual-motor and driveline setup choices are available, plus a host of other options. All are fully-imported units (CBU) from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.

The Model Y is now officially on sale in Malaysia featuring three guises. Prices start from
RM199,000 excluding options.

The line-up starts with the base Model Y that’s equipped with a 60 kWh (57.5 kWh usable) battery to juice a single, rear-mounted motor and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) driveline. Above which comes the Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance, both primed with larger 78.1 kWh (75 kWh usable) battery packs plus a dual-motor and all-wheel-drive (AWD) setups instead.

All guises accepts 11 kW AC charging inputs, with the base Model Y also able to accept rapid DC inputs as high as 170 kW and grant 10-80% recharges in just 25 minutes. The higher two guises, on the other hand, accepts up to 270 kW DC charging inputs via the Tesla Supercharger instead. The latter grants said guises with equally rapid 10-80% recharge times of just 27 minutes.

The dual-motor, AWD Long Range variant offers the most range at 533 KM (WLTP). The flagship Performance guise offer the most speed with 0-100 KM/H taking just 3.7 seconds.

The differing battery sizes and drivelines also sees differing levels of performance and range. Starting with the base Model Y, it boasts respectable output figures of 299 PS and 420 NM driving its rear wheels, granting 0-100 KM/H in 6.9 seconds and a 217 KM/H V-max. As for its claimed WLTP maximum range, the figure reads at 430 KM.

Moving to the Model Y Long Range, its larger battery and dual-motor, AWD setup generates higher outputs of  514 PS and 493 NM instead. In turn, this grants a much quicker 0-100 KM/H time of  5 seconds, though V-max remains unchanged from the base model’s at 217 KM/H. As its name aptly suggests, this one holds the most range amongst the trio with a claimed WLTP figure of 533 KM.

All guises accepts 11 kW AC charging inputs, as well as DC inputs as high as 170 kW (base) and 250 kW (Long Range & Performance). The latter rate is dispensed via the marque's Supercharger.

Capping off the range is the Model Y Performance which, though harnessing a similar battery and driveline setup as the Long Range guise, it does benefit with higher outputs of 534 PS and 660 NM, allowing for a quicker 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 3.7 seconds and higher 250 KM/H V-max. This however comes at the price of range as the Performance guise make do with a claimed WLTP range of just 514 KM instead.

Both the base and Long Range guises roll on 19-inch ‘Gemini’ wheels as standard, but a larger 20-inch ‘Induction’ design is available, costing an additional RM10,000. The flagship Performance variant gets exclusive 21-inch ‘Überturbine’ wheels instead. The choice of up to five body hues are available too, though anything beyond the base Pearl White Multi-Coat will cost between RM5,000 to RM10,000 more.

On board, the Model Y has space for five persons, and comes brimmed with a bevy of tech.

Standard across the board is Tesla’s signature Basic Autopilot array of active driver assist (ADAS) features, namely Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer. Buyers can also opt to beef this front up through the Enhanced Autopilot suite. Costing an additional RM16,000, this adds Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, as well as both Summon and Smart Summon features.

Unsurprisingly, Tesla will also offer Malaysians the chance to try out its Full Self-Driving Capability (FSD), so as long as they’re willing to pony the extra RM32,000 it commands. This, in turn, adds the still Beta-stage Traffic and Stop Sign Control feature on top of everything else, though its Autosteer on City Streets ability is noted as an ‘upcoming’ feature still.

Key tech present include a barrage of active driver assist (ADAS) plus a bevy of connectivity-driven functions.

On board, Malaysians can choose either a black or white vegan cabin upholstery colour motif, the latter offered as an RM5,000 option. There’s seating for up to five persons plus a flat-folding second-row seat bench with electronic quick-fold switches in the boot. The latter can expand boot space to a maximum capacity of 2,100 litres

As for specs, a panoramic glass roof, massive 15-inch touchscreen display, dual wireless chargers plus four USB-C charge ports, automatic climate control with a HEPA air filter system, power adjustable front seats, and a premium 13-speaker audio hi-fi suite leads the bill. As for connectivity functions, built-in Navigation is standard across the board.

Bookings can now be placed online from as low as RM1,000 with deliveries slated to commence
early in 2024.

Opt for the Premium Connectivity package and it adds Live Traffic Visualisation, Satellite-View Maps, Video Streaming, Caraoke, Music Streaming, and an Internet Browser. Take note, Premium Connectivity is complimentary for 30 days before a  monthly subscription fee is levied, though prices remain undisclosed at the time of writing.

Excluding options and upgrades, Tesla Motors Malaysia is retailing the base Model Y from RM199,00, the Long Range guise from RM246,000, and the Performance flagship from RM288,000. Said prices include a 4-year or 80,000 KM basic vehicle warranty plus a separate 8-year or 160,000 KM EV battery and drive unit warranty coverage.

Check out more images of the new and now officially imported and supported Tesla Model Y from its glitzy launch held earlier today in the gallery below.