Tesla Model Y Longbody Domestic Certification, 543km One Charge, Everything Known

*This content was translated by AI.

Tesla Korea has completed final procedures, including certification from the Ministry of Environment, ahead of the launch of Model Y, a long-wheel-based version of the mid-sized electric SUV Model Y. This is because the complete certification data of the model name "Model YL" was officially registered in the Korea Energy Agency's transport integrated operating system.

This is interpreted as a strategic choice to overcome the spatial limitations of the existing Model Y and target the domestic family SUV market. The biggest feature of the model YL is its body size. The total length reached 4,969mm, an increase of 219mm from 4,750mm, and the wheelbase also secured 2,940mm, an extension of 50mm from 2,890mm, making it a giant equivalent to a semi-large SUV.

This expansion of the body directly leads to improved indoor habitability, adopting a two-plus-two-seat independent seat configuration that breaks away from the existing five-seater structure, and the captain seat applied in the second row has individual armrests and electric control to maximize comfort while providing a walk-through space, a passage to the third row. The lack of three-row legroom space, which was pointed out as a chronic problem in the existing Model Y 7-seater specification, has been largely resolved through the expansion of the battlefield, securing a level of practicality that allows short-distance movement for adult passengers.

In terms of performance, LG Energy Solution's 82.5kWh capacity NCM battery is likely to be equipped, and the recently completed domestic mileage certification proved its efficiency by recording 543km based on room temperature complex. The low-temperature combined mileage is also expected to reach 454 kilometers, easing consumers' anxiety about the decrease in winter electric vehicle mileage, which is the top performance compared to competitive imported electric SUV models sold in Korea.

In terms of driving texture, the latest suspension tuning technology of the partial change model, code-named Juniper, has been applied to improve road noise blocking and vibration absorption, and the longer wheel base makes straight forward stability stronger when driving at high speed. The exterior design was applied with sleeker headlamps and rear lamps according to Tesla's latest design language, and ambient lights and textile dashboards were introduced indoors to further enhance the existing rather monotonous interior atmosphere. The industry is observing the timing of the launch of the Model YL in Korea within the first half of 2026, and specifically, it is highly likely that full-scale delivery will begin between March and April.

The estimated sales price is expected to be in the mid-70 million won range, slightly higher than the existing long-range AWD models, which will form a direct competition with the Ioniq 9 and EV9, the large electric SUVs in Korea. Tesla plans to respond to the preference for large SUVs in Korea by emphasizing its value as a family car beyond simple efficiency-oriented electric vehicles through Model YL. In terms of charging infrastructure, the company continues to expand its own supercharger network to enhance user convenience, and continuous functional improvement through OTA, a wireless software update, is also expected to serve as a key competitive edge for the model YL.

The launch of the new car is interpreted as Tesla's willingness to defend its market share through high-value-added models despite the electric carcass phenomenon and is expected to be a strong option for domestic consumers who want large indoor spaces and long driving distances at the same time. Overall, Model YL is a complete model that adds hardware space to Tesla's software competitiveness and is attracting attention as a major variable that will reshape the game of the domestic electric SUV market.

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*This content was translated by AI.