Tesla has turned up the wick on the Model Y to create its most powerful SUV for right-hand-drive markets, but it's yet to open for orders in Australia.
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The quickest factory Tesla Model Y electric SUV ever built for international markets has been revealed with chassis tricks borrowed from its sedan sibling – and styling tweaks to set it apart from more pedestrian model grades.
The updated Model Y Performance has debuted for European and Middle Eastern markets, where it is due in showrooms from next month.
It is yet to open for orders in other markets, but Tesla Australia and New Zealand country director Thom Drew has previously told Drive the brand is "hoping" to launch the Performance locally in the second half of 2025.
Prices in the UK start from £61,990, 19 per cent dearer than the Long Range All-Wheel Drive below it – suggesting a sticker of about $82,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, given the Long Range is $68,900.
It would be slightly cheaper than the outgoing Model Y Performance's final RRP at the start of the year, of $82,900 plus on-road costs.
Powering the latest Performance is understood to be a pair of electric motors shared with the Model 3 Performance, which includes a new rear drive unit that, in that vehicle, claims 22 per cent more continuous power, 32 per cent more peak power, and 16 per cent more peak torque than before.
Tesla quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.5 seconds (down from 3.7sec), and an unchanged top speed of 250km/h.
A power output for the old model was never quoted, but government documents indicated a theoretical combined motor output of 393kW. Under the same procedure, the new version quotes 461kW, European data shows.
Energy is stored in a nickel-manganese-cobalt battery pack with an expected usable capacity of 82.1kWh, homologation data indicates – up from 78.4kWh – for a rated 580km driving range in European WLTP testing.
It is up from 514km in the outgoing model, and the 528km of the Model 3 Performance – though the latter has a smaller battery that reports claim will be replaced by the Model Y's pack later this year, bumping its claimed range to 571km.
The all-wheel-drive Model Y Performance inherits the Model 3's adaptive suspension, allowing for the firmness of the dampers to be controlled on the fly.
There are new 21-inch 'Arachnid 2.0' wheels inspired by the larger Model S sedan's 'Arachnid' alloys – and fitted with aero inserts – wrapped in Pirelli performance tyres, which are now wider at the rear than the front.
It is expected Track Mode will be fitted, as with the previous model, possibly with the Model 3 Performance's new user interface, allowing for control of the front-to-rear power split.
As with the previous Model Y Performance, there are performance brakes with red calipers, while new for the latest model are 'Stability Assist' traction-control profiles with Standard, Reduced, or Off settings.
There is now greater differentiation between the Performance and regular variants, with a unique front bumper housing aggressive air ducts and a lower splitter.
Other differences include black mirror caps, a sportier rear bumper with aero inserts, new sculpting behind the rear wheels, and a black rear lip spoiler claimed to reduce drag and increase downforce.
Inside, the Performance will introduce the enlarged 16-inch touchscreen from the Chinese-market Model Y L to global markets, up from 15.4 inches, as well as versions of its front sports seats – different to the Model 3 Performance's items – with power-extendable under-thigh cushions.
There are 'Ludicrous' logos under the headrests, plus carbon-fibre-look inserts on the dashboard.
The 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance is now available to order in Europe and the Middle East, with Australian availability yet to be finalised.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
