Tesla has officially launched the performance version of the refreshed Model Y in Australia, marking big upgrades over the existing Long Range variant.
The price of the long-awaited addition to the Model Y lineup comes in at $89,400 before on-road costs. That puts it at more than $20,500 above the existing dual-motor Long Range model.
But it packs a punch.
The new Model Y Performance boasts 580 km of range, which is above the previous Performance variant’s 514 km. And its 343 kW dual-motor powertrain helps with the car’s improved acceleration , now coming in at 3.5 seconds in a 0-100 km/h sprint, down from 3.7 seconds.
Key upgrades, according to Tesla, in the new Performance AWD variant include:
- New Exterior Design
- New Performance Powertrain
- Adaptive Suspension and Unique Drive Modes
- 21″ Arachnid 2.0 Wheels
- Carbon Fibre Interior Trims
- 16″ First-Row QHD Touchscreen
- First-Row Performance Sport Seats With Thigh Extension, Heating and Ventilation
On the outside, the new design includes a new front bumper with a more aggressive look as well as a rear carbon-fibre lip spoiler.
There is also a new Ludicrous badge on the rear of this variant, which first made its debut on the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which made its debut in 2024.
New 21-inch wheels replace the Uberturbine wheels found on the old cars. These wheels also appear to be similar to 21-inch Arachnid wheels from the tri-motor Model S Plaid, Tesla’s fastest car to date.
Like the previously launched Model 3 Performance, the new Model Y features adaptive suspension and drive modes, only offered on top-spec Tesla models.
On the inside, it features more carbon fibre on the dash, as well as new sports seats with better support and comfort features such as heating and ventilation.
The Model Y Performance also features a larger 16-inch screen found on the new 6-seater Model Y L which has recently been released in China.
Model Y is currently available in our local market with the entry-level RWD variant, which starts from $58,900 before on-roads. That variant can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, making it one of the quickest single-motor cars on the market.
Above that is currently the top-spec dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant, which costs $68,900 before on-roads, slashing that time to just 4.8 seconds.
This AWD variant also comes with a bigger battery that has up to 551 km of range, instead of 466 km seen on the single-motor RWD car.
This more driver-focused Model Y is expected to start local deliveries on the tail end of this year, with December 2025 to February 2026 listed on the current configurator.
We were very impressed with the new Model Y when it launched earlier this year, and this new Performance variant is likely to take things up a notch in terms of driving dynamics.
That’s something best tested on our local roads in the coming months and is worth looking forward to for performance EV fans. On paper, it sounds pretty promising.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
