The Tesla Model Y Long Range gets a new engine and improved range: it now reaches up to 776 km.

Tesla has shown us that there’s no need to wait years to see improvements in its products, even those that are among the bestsellers. The penultimate example comes from China, where the new Model Y L, the long-wheelbase six-seater version, has received a subtle yet significant upgrade: a new front motor.

At first glance, this change may seem minor, but it’s far more important than what a simple catalog update would suggest. Tesla has introduced a new motor in the front axle of the two-motor version, which not only boosts the power available in that axle significantly but also reduces the overall energy consumption. The result is an improved range without the need for a larger battery, and most importantly, without raising the price.

More power and an additional 25 km of range

The Tesla Model Y L retains its identity as a six-seater SUV, with three rows arranged in a 2+2+2 configuration. Its body measures 4.97 meters in length, 1.92 meters in width, and 1.66 meters in height, while the wheelbase is 3,040 mm.

The interior retains Tesla’s usual minimalist design, featuring a central screen as the main control element and a third row that accommodates up to six passengers. The Chinese version also comes equipped with all-wheel drive via two motors and a cargo capacity of up to 2,423 liters with the seats folded down.

The main innovation is hidden under the chassis. Tesla has replaced the previous 142 kW (193 hp) 3D3 front motor with the new TL2 engine, which delivers 176 kW (239 hp) and 238 Nm of torque. The rear motor remains unchanged at 198 kW (269 hp), so the system retains its two-motor all-wheel drive configuration. The new front unit is an induction motor cooled by liquid.

The notable aspect is that the increase in power isn’t accompanied by a rise in consumption. On the contrary, the Model Y L’s official energy consumption drops from 12.8 kWh/100 km to 12.4 kWh/100 km, while its weight remains at 2,088 kg. This suggests that the improvement in range stems primarily from greater efficiency in the propulsion system and other technical optimizations, rather than a larger battery.

The battery retains a capacity of 82 kWh, and the certified range according to the CLTC cycle increases from 751 km to 776 km, an additional 25 km. Based on our estimates, this figure would correspond to approximately 675 km under the WLTP cycle, though the actual European figure will depend on the configuration ultimately sold in this market.

Regarding performance, Tesla officially maintains an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. Therefore, although the new front engine is much more powerful, the brand has not yet announced any improvement in the acceleration figures for the Chinese Model Y L. In other markets, however, the introduction of the same TL2 engine has already led to improvements in the reported performance metrics.

The system supports fast charging at up to 250 kW in direct current, though Tesla has not announced a new official charging time with this update. The battery capacity remains unchanged, another indication that the increase in range was primarily achieved through improved efficiency.

There’s another important detail: the price hasn’t increased. The updated Model Y L retains a starting price of 339,000 yuan in China, which is approximately 44,985 euros at the current exchange rate.

The update comes as the Model Y L begins to enter the European market. Over the past few months, units have been tested in Germany, and the model’s name has appeared in Tesla’s configurator codes in countries such as Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. However, as of October 2, 2026, Tesla still does not allow orders for the Model Y L in Europe and has not officially announced its price or launch date for Spain.

This makes the evolution of the Chinese model particularly interesting. If Tesla eventually brings this same configuration to Europe, the Model Y L could arrive with a more powerful and efficient front engine than the one initially used, while retaining the same battery to achieve greater range. The key will be to see whether the European specification keeps this evolution or introduces changes specific to the continent’s market.