Model Y Update
Tesla has unveiled the long-awaited updated Model Y.
Previously, the Model S sedan and Model Y crossover shared a similar appearance, but with the facelift, the latter has adopted a new look reminiscent of the Cybertruck pickup, featuring a characteristic illuminated strip across the width and a two-tier headlight design. The rear lights are now also connected by a glowing bar, which beautifully highlights the brand name on the fifth door. The bumpers have been redesigned, resulting in an overall length increase of 47 mm (to 4797 mm) and a slight width increase of 1 mm (1920 mm). The height (1624 mm) and ground clearance (167 mm) remain unchanged. New mirror housings and wheels with a fresh design, available in 19 or 20 inches, have been introduced. All updates have made the crossover more aerodynamic, with the drag coefficient Cd reduced from 0.23 to 0.22.
The updated interior mirrors that of the Model 3 sedan. The finishing has improved, and the ambient lighting has been expanded, but the steering wheel controls have been removed. Turn signals, lights, and other functions are now controlled via the steering wheel spokes, while transmission mode switching is done through a control panel on the ceiling console or the central monitor. Its size remains the same (15.4 inches), and the multimedia system is powered by an AMD Ryzen processor. The front seats now feature ventilation, and the highest-end audio system boasts 16 speakers, including a subwoofer, up from 14. A separate 8-inch touchscreen has been installed for rear passengers, controlling both climate settings and multimedia functions. The rear seats now have powered backs (allowing for angle adjustments or complete folding), the seat cushion length has increased by 15 mm, and wider headrests have been added.
The camera and sensor system for the autopilot has been upgraded, adding a camera in the front bumper, bringing the total to eight instead of seven. A new-generation Ai 4 electronic system has been installed, and the main news for Chinese buyers is that the Model Y will finally feature the FSD (Full Self-Driving) capability, which has long been available in the US and Europe. The suspension and steering have been re-tuned, and improved sound insulation promises a reduction in cabin noise by 20-22%.
The base Model Y RWD still has a rear electric motor with a power output of 299 hp, but the battery capacity has increased from 60 to 62.5 kWh. Combined with improved aerodynamics, this has allowed the driving range in the CLTC cycle to increase from 554 to 593 km. The acceleration time to 100 km/h remains unchanged at 5.9 seconds. The all-wheel-drive Model Y Long Range AWD retains both the 78.4 kWh battery and the power output from the electric motors: 186 hp for the front and 264 hp for the rear, totaling 450 hp. Optimization of the control program and aerodynamics has made the crossover more efficient, extending the range to 719 km instead of 688 km. Interestingly, the electric vehicle has become noticeably quicker, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds instead of 5.0, although there is no exact explanation for this. The top speed for both variants has been reduced from 217 to 201 km/h. The most powerful Performance version will be updated later.
The Tesla factory in Shanghai was the first to begin production of the updated Model Y. The facelifted crossovers are already available for order in China, and until the end of February, all vehicles will be delivered in a special Launch Series configuration with corresponding badges and inscriptions in the cabin. Prices have predictably increased. The base Model Y RWD is now priced at $36,000, which is $1,900 more than before. The Long Range AWD version is priced at $41,000. Additionally, in the second half of the year, an extended Tesla Model Y with a third row of seats is expected to hit the Chinese market.
0-Electric Vehicles
Honda showcased pre-production versions of its upcoming global family of electric vehicles, named 0, at the CES 2025 consumer electronics show. This designation is intended to emphasize that these vehicles are being developed from scratch, without any ties to Honda's previous electric vehicle projects, which were not particularly successful.
The first to hit the market will be the Honda 0 SUV: production at the Honda EV Hub facility in Ohio, USA, is scheduled to start in the first half of 2026. The pre-production model bears little resemblance to last year's Space Hub concept: the SUV features a more conventional two-volume body and standard swing doors.
The Honda 0 Saloon sedan, while losing its lift doors, retains its wedge-shaped silhouette and distinctive design. Despite the low roof, the developers promise a spacious interior with all the familiar comfort elements. The Saloon is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2026, and it will be manufactured at the same plant in Ohio.
For the “zero” family, Honda is preparing its own operating system called Asimo OS—named after the Honda Asimo humanoid robot, which long represented the company's achievements in electronics. The new OS will feature artificial intelligence (a joint development with Helm.ai), self-learning capabilities, and regular over-the-air updates. This will be useful not only for multimedia features but also for the autopilot—promising a level three system out of five possible levels.
Additionally, for the next generation of 0 models (a total of seven electric vehicles are promised by Honda by 2030), a dedicated control unit based on a single microprocessor will be developed to handle all vehicle functions. To develop this unit, Honda has signed an agreement with the Japanese company Renesas Electronics Corporation. The foundation will be based on the R-Car X5 chip with a performance of 400 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), and with the aid of a neural coprocessor, the performance will be increased to 2000 TOPS.
The first markets for the Honda 0 SUV and 0 Saloon will be the USA, followed by Europe and Japan. Concurrently, Honda plans to develop battery recycling and charging infrastructure. In the USA, the vehicles will be equipped with NACS charging ports (providing access to the Tesla Supercharger network). Furthermore, Honda has joined the Ionna consortium to jointly create a new network in the United States, which is expected to include 30,000 charging stations by 2030.