In a relatively surprising change, the long-wheelbase, premium Model Y L has been spotted getting tested in Germany at the Nürburgring, suggesting that the new 6-seat vehicle is destined for a global launch, and not just the Chinese market.
This exciting news comes just as the first official powertrain specifications for the Model Y L were unveiled in a public regulatory filing in China, giving us the most complete picture of the upcoming Model Y L.
The European Prototype
The prototype of the new Model Y L was seen undergoing road testing near Germany’s famous ‘Ring, a common proving ground for new vehicles being prepared for the European market. Tesla tests every single one of their new vehicles that’s destined for global sales there, as we’ve most recently seen with the recently released 2026 Model S and the upcoming Model Y Performance.
The appearance of a physical prototype in Europe is an indicator of Tesla’s intentions here. Vehicle testing and homologation for European roads is a costly and deliberate process, and the manufacturer wouldn’t take it on if they were planning on the model to be exclusively for China. This strongly suggests that a launch in Europe is being planned, which means that we will likely see a North American launch as well.
Official Specs Revealed
While the camouflage prototype logs miles in Germany, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website was updated with a report that details the first concrete numbers we’ve seen for powertrain specs for the new variant, following the official unveiling of the Model Y L last month.
Model Y L
In short, Tesla is using an 82kWh LG battery using NMC battery chemistry. Here’s what the range sheet looks like, based on the CLTC range.
Range (CLTC) | Range (EPA km) | Range (EPA miles) |
|---|---|---|
751km | ~520km | ~320mi |
Model 3+
The Model 3+, a variant that’s exclusive to China, also had its powertrain specs detailed in the same filing, using a similar LG pack, coming in at a whopping 78 kWh, and being an RWD vehicle, it is insanely efficient.
Range (CLTC) | Range (EPA km) | Range (EPA miles) |
|---|---|---|
830km | ~580km | ~360mi |
A Note on CLTC vs EPA Ranges
The official range figures are based on China’s CLTC standard, which is known to be significantly more generous and optimistic than the EPA standard used in North America. To get a more realistic EPA-equivalent figure, the CLTC figures should be dropped by approximately 30%.
The North American Question
The combination of a European testing program and a finalized powertrain from a global battery manufacturer suggests that a North American launch for the Model Y L is a very strong possibility. While there has been no official confirmation from Tesla, a six-seater Model Y with a more spacious third row and ample cargo capacity would fill a key gap in the company’s lineup. We recently covered that the Model Y L 6-seater is expected to have second-row (and third-row) seats that fold flat, something even Tesla’s Model X doesn’t provide.
The Model Y L offers a far more family-friendly alternative than the current Model Y, all without the premium markup of the Model X.
What was thought to be a China-only vehicle just a short time ago is now shaping up to potentially be Tesla’s next major global vehicle launch. With a prototype in Germany and specs revealing the vehicle’s range, the Model Y L will be a serious contender for family vehicles in North America, Europe, and China.
We recently also took a look at leaked photos of the interior of the Model Y L and created a list of all the features that the vehicle will include.
