SPIED: Is Tesla testing a long wheelbase Model Y?
Tesla Model Y could get LWB variant alongside a new Performance version
It's no secret that the Tesla Model Y is the brand's best-selling model. Back in 2023, the electric vehicle (EV) was the world's best-selling car after Tesla was able to sell 1.22 million examples. With a dedicated following of customers, it's not surprising Tesla has remained focused on giving its best-seller a refresh for the 2025 model year.
It's already on sale in the Philippines, and over a thousand customers bought one, echoing the Model Y's significance for the brand. However, this doesn't mean Tesla has been resting on its laurels.
Our spy photographers recently spotted a refreshed Tesla Model Y being driven in what appears to be the Nurburgring. Despite the thin camouflage livery, it's quite clear that the Model Y being tested is based on the latest update. However, we did notice that, unlike the regular Model Y, the camouflaged unit spotted by our spies appears to be longer.
Although not immediately apparent, our spies informed us that the rear doors are longer than those of the standard wheelbase model. That's because on the regular Model Y, the rear wheel arches cut into the rear doors. The LWB variant lacks this particular design, which leads us to speculate that the refreshed Model Y could soon be offered with three rows of seats.
The pre-facelift Tesla Model Y used to be available with three rows of seats, but since the wheelbase wasn't long enough and the roofline slopes towards the rear, the third row was more of an afterthought. But with the refreshed version sporting a longer wheelbase, perhaps Tesla believes now is the right time to bring the third row option back.
Last but not least, the camouflaged EV features a ducktail spoiler instead of a flat spoiler. While this may not be of importance to some, eagle-eyed viewers know that this is a subtle feature that is mostly reserved for the Model Y Performance, the most powerful version of the EV.
No official output figures are available just yet, but since the current version already makes an impressive 534 PS, we won't be surprised if the new Performance variant cranks out close to 600 PS or thereabouts.
With Tesla busy testing what could be the long wheelbase (and Performance) versions of the Model Y, perhaps we can expect the new variants to be available sometime later this year or in early 2026.
