Tesla Launches the Model Y Performance in China at ~$55,000: 635 HP, 659 km of Range

Tesla has officially put the refreshed Model Y Performance on the Chinese order configurator, priced at RMB 369,000 (roughly $55,000 USD), with production cars already rolling out of Gigafactory Shanghai and landing at delivery hubs. It's the last missing piece of China's Model Y lineup, and it arrives more than a year after the Performance trim launched internationally. Per Not a Tesla App, delivery estimates for new orders are sitting at two to six weeks, with the first customer handoffs expected in under two weeks.

What happened

The sportiest Model Y is back in the world's largest auto market. Tesla watcher @tslaming flagged the launch on X, noting that production vehicles were already arriving at showrooms across the country when orders opened.

The China-built spec is genuinely quick. The rear drive unit is Tesla's new TL2 motor putting out 291 kW, paired with a 176 kW front motor for a combined 467 kW — about 635 horsepower. That's good for 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed, with a CLTC-estimated range of 659 km.

Highlights of the Chinese-market car:

  • Price: RMB 369,000 (~$55,000 USD)
  • Power: 467 kW combined (291 kW rear TL2 + 176 kW front)
  • Performance: 3.5 seconds 0-100 km/h, 250 km/h top speed
  • Range: 659 km CLTC
  • Interior: larger 16-inch center display, sport seats with thigh extension
  • Chassis: adaptive suspension, high-performance brakes, 6.1 inches of ground clearance (down from 6.6 on the standard Model Y)

Tesla is also offering six exterior colors, headlined by Glacier Blue — a finish that remains exclusive to Gigafactory Shanghai production for the Asia-Pacific region, and which has never been available on a Performance vehicle until now. Inside, buyers choose between All Black and Zen Grey, the latter having debuted on the three-row Model Y L before spreading to more Chinese trims and then to Europe. In the U.S., Zen Grey is still limited to the Model Y L.

Why it matters

When the "Juniper" refresh launched in early 2025, Tesla temporarily pulled the top trim in China and focused Giga Shanghai on volume: Rear-Wheel Drive, Long Range All-Wheel Drive, then regional priorities like Long Range RWD and the stretched, six-seat Model Y L. Adding Performance completes the local family.

There's a nice symmetry to it, too. Giga Texas has been building the Model Y L for weeks now with first deliveries expected this month, while Shanghai returns the favor by taking on the Performance trim. And because Shanghai is a major export hub, the ripple effects reach well past China — markets like Australia and New Zealand that previously imported Performance units from Gigafactory Berlin could start receiving China-built cars instead.

The Performance trim runs 6.1 inches of ground clearance versus 6.6 inches on the standard Model Y — a half-inch that matters more than it sounds like it should.

The V2L detail worth noting

One spec buried in the launch is arguably the most practically useful: Model Y Performance owners can take advantage of bidirectional power transfer. Tesla has been selling a vehicle-to-load (V2L) Powershare adapter for the Model Y Performance and Model Y L since last year, which lets the car run external electronics and camping gear directly off the pack.

That's the feature that quietly changes how people use these cars. A Model Y that can power a fridge, a projector, a set of work tools, or a campsite is a different vehicle on a weekend than one that only moves you from A to B — and it's the reason 12V and USB accessory planning is worth doing before your first trip, not after.

What this means for Model Y owners

If you're picking up a Performance — in China now, or in any market Shanghai exports to later — a few accessory decisions shift compared to a standard Model Y:

  • Check screen size before buying screen protection. The Performance uses the larger 16-inch center display, while many Model 3/Y protectors are cut for the 15.4-inch panel. Match the part to your exact trim and model year rather than the badge on the trunk — our shop-by-vehicle collection is organized to make that easy.
  • Plan around the lower ride height. At 6.1 inches, the Performance sits a half-inch closer to the ground than a regular Model Y. Steep driveways, parking blocks, and curb ramps deserve more respect, and underbody and rocker protection is worth a look if you park in tight garages.
  • Sort out charging at home first. A 659 km CLTC pack is a lot of energy to refill on a household outlet. A proper Level 2 setup turns overnight charging into a non-event — see the ePlugKit EV chargers collection for wall-mounted options.
  • Carry the right adapters. Mixed-connector road trips are still a fact of life in most markets, and the right charging adapter in the frunk is cheaper than a detour.
  • Tidy the cabin you'll actually live in. Performance trims get driven, and clutter shows up fast. A 3-in-1 wireless charging organizer built for Model Y Juniper and Model 3 Highland keeps phones docked and the console clear.
  • Don't skip roadside gear. Teslas ship without a spare, and a fast car on performance rubber is not the place to find that out. A compact inflator, a plug kit, and jack pads belong in the trunk from day one. Browse fitment-matched gear in the Model Y Juniper collection.

The bottom line

With 635 horsepower, a 3.5-second sprint, adaptive suspension, the bigger 16-inch screen, and a Glacier Blue paint option no other Performance has worn, the quickest Model Y has reclaimed its spot in Shanghai's catalog. Chinese deliveries start in about two weeks. For everyone else, the more interesting line in this story is the export one: if Shanghai starts supplying Performance units to Asia-Pacific markets that used to wait on Berlin, availability and lead times in those countries should improve. Either way, the accessory checklist is the same as always — verify fitment against your exact trim, get home charging right, and put the roadside kit in before the first road trip.

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