Tesla has made another change to the Model Y lineup in Canada, this time mysteriously reducing the range of the top-of-the-line Performance variant. What makes this change interesting is that it has only taken place in Canada, hinting that Tesla may soon be importing another vehicle from China into Canada.
Since the Model Y Performance was first introduced in North America both Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have estimated the range to be 488km, or 303 miles. This is slightly lower than the 531km (330mi) range of the Long Range variant, mostly due to the larger 21″ Überturbine wheels on the Performance variant. This is the range that has been displayed on Tesla’s website, until now.
According to an update to the Design Studio, the Model Y Performance in Canada now has an estimated range of 459km, or 285 miles. The range is still noted as being an EPA estimate, yet neither the EPA nor NRCan have updated their websites to show this new lower range.
This isn’t the only change Tesla made to the Model Y Performance in Canada, as it now also only available with a black interior.
Tesla has not made any official comment about this change, not even to employees. According to internal communication obtained by Drive Tesla, the automaker simply told employees there had been a product update to the Model Y, and to refer to the public Design Studio for additional details. However based on similar recent changes, we believe this change is to reflect that the Model Y Performance being sold in Canada is now going to be coming from China.
When Tesla introduced the new Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) to Canada a few weeks ago, which is being imported from China, it too was only available with a black interior. The new lower range could also be indicative of an import from China, although we don’t believe the vehicle will be equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery like the Model Y RWD as the performance specs of a 250km/h top speed and 3.7s 0-100km/h time have not changed. It is difficult to know for sure as the Model Y Performance has a 615km (382mi) CLTC rated range in China, which is always much higher and doesn’t easily translate into North American ratings.
If our reasoning is true, this could be the third vehicle that Tesla is now importing from China into Canada. There is the aforementioned Model Y RWD, but there has also been evidence at a Shanghai port this week that the Model 3 RWD is also starting to be imported into Canada.
What do you think the reason is for this change? Let us know in the comments below.
