Tesla appears to be preparing to bring the Model Y Performance back to China after a new variant surfaced in the latest regulatory filings from the country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The filing, published on Friday, reveals a new Model Y configuration with specifications that clearly distinguish it from every version currently on sale in China. Vehicles listed through the MIIT approval process typically reach the market within a few months, making the appearance of the new variant a strong indication that an official launch is approaching.
Aside from the photos, the biggest giveaway is the performance stats. According to the filing, the new Model Y has a top speed of 250 km/h, well above the 201 km/h maximum of the existing Chinese lineup.
Power also receives a significant boost. The Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system produces a combined 467 kW, with a 176 kW front motor and a 291 kW rear motor, making it the most powerful Model Y configuration yet revealed for the Chinese market.
The filing also confirms the use of a ternary lithium-ion battery supplied by LG Energy Solution’s Chinese subsidiary. Tesla typically reserves this battery chemistry for its higher-performance vehicles rather than its standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) models.
If all of this wasn’t enough, several other details further confirm this is the Performance variant. The documents list staggered 21-inch wheels wrapped in 255/35R21 tires up front and 275/35R21 tires at the rear.
Tesla currently offers four versions of the Model Y in China, including Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and the six-seat Model Y L. The entry-level version starts at 263,500 yuan, while the Model Y L tops the range at 339,000 yuan.
If Tesla follows its traditional pricing strategy, the new Model Y Performance will likely become the flagship of the lineup, commanding a price above the extended wheelbase Model Y L.
The potential launch comes as the Model Y once again finished as China’s best-selling passenger vehicle last month across all powertrains, helping Tesla rank as the country’s eighth best-selling automotive brand with a 3.3% market share.
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