Tesla is known to be secretive when it comes to vehicles on the waiting list to be manufactured. Just like consumer tech giant Apple, it is nearly impossible to know what Tesla has concealed from the public eye.
The Cybertruck was an excellent example, as this beast of a truck was not spotted, or leaked by anyone, despite the incredibly unique angular design.
Other than the Cybertruck, an already announced version of the Model Y has simply dropped below the radar, with no resurfacing date in sight.
Backstory
Reservation holders, and Tesla enthusiasts around the world are wondering what happened to the Long Range Rear Wheel Drive (LRRWD) variant as Tesla continues to hold $2,500 USD deposits without giving any information about the vehicle.
These deposits are fully refundable, but many hopeful reservation holders don’t want to give it up, because there still may be a chance of its long awaited debut.
In January 2020 Tesla introduced the Standard Range Rear Wheel Drive (SRRWD) Model Y in North America with a reasonable starting price of around $42,000 USD ($57,000 CAD). This car was an excellent value, but as Elon Musk said, the 244 mile range did not “yet meet the Tesla standard of excellence” and so it was removed from the Design Studio after just one month.
The LRRWD would have solved this problem by offering range “above 300 miles” with a hinted starting price of $45,000 USD.
Timeline
On March 15th, 2019, Tesla revealed the Model Y to the world, with reservations beginning immediately. Originally deliveries were set to begin in the fall of 2020, but instead, March 2020 was when deliveries officially began, except for… the LRRWD.
In July of 2020, CEO Elon Musk responded to a Twitter comment regarding the SRRWD saying it will not be produced due to “Unacceptably low” range. Musk then went on to comment that a LR single motor Y “will be available in a few months, while still keeping the product excellent.”
We have reduced pricing on Model Y LR dual motor & will offer a LR single motor Y in a few months, which improves affordability, while still keeping the product excellent
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2020
With hopes up, and buyers anxious to have a new Model Y in their driveways, these hopes were shattered when “a few months” passed, and there was still no sight of the mysterious vehicle.
In early January 2021, the Standard Range Model Y made a surprise appearance on the Tesla configuration page, leaving Long Range RWD holdouts upset because it was still nowhere to be found.
Just one month later the SRRWD Model Y was removed, and Elon Musk was asked about this situation on Twitter. After stating that the SRRWD didn’t meet Teslas standards of excellence in certain drive conditions, he was asked about the LRRWD, yet again.
In response to the question of if Long Range RWD reservations will be made, Musk responded with “We have too much product complexity already.” This statement, once more, leaves this specific variant of Model Y tucked away somewhere in California, waiting patiently to be built and delivered.
Now What?
July 2021 is already here, Tesla is selling every Model Y they can produce, and two upcoming factories are speeding to the finish line. Because there is exponentially high demand for the Long Range All Wheel Drive, and performance versions, this is probably why the LRRWD hasn’t been made yet.
When Giga Berlin, Giga Texas, and the new Tesla 4680 batteries are ready to go, hopefully Tesla will pull the trigger and release the overall best Model Y to the wild.
