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The Tesla Model Y has been launched in India and Tech Today gets an exclusive look at the car. We drive this 60 lakh rupee car and try to find the answer to the question: Is it worth it and practical for India? This and more on this week's Tech Today.
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00:00So, we are getting into this habit of getting you something extravagant each and every week
00:20on the Tech Today Show and this week is no different. On the show today, we have this one.
00:26The Tesla Model Y, which has launched in India. Yes, Tesla is in India and today on the show,
00:35we are experiencing the tech inside of it, how it drives and what you will get as a consumer
00:40if you are getting this car in India and an exclusive look at all of the features of the
00:45Model Y. Let's kick off Tech Today with this beauty and more on the show.
00:55The superstar of electric cars in India. Tesla's Model Y has officially launched here
01:03in two variants, the standard rear-wheel drive and the long-range rear-wheel drive.
01:19Racing for the Y starts at 59.89 Lakh X Showroom for the standard and 67.89 Lakh for the long-range
01:27version.
01:28Both trims are rear-wheel drive, offering a claimed WLTP range of around 500 km for the
01:40base and 622 km for the long-range. You get multiple color options and you have to pay extra
01:50if you want any other color besides grey. Tesla has begun taking bookings nationwide,
01:58with priority deliveries in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram and Pune set to start in Q3 2025 for the standard
02:06model and roll out later this year for the long-range. Now, let's talk a bit about the design
02:12of the car which has many people talking about it.
02:19It is but obvious that the Model Y is indeed a head-turner. Now, most of the design philosophy
02:24that you see here has been inspired by the Model 3. 75% almost of the cosmetic, the looks
02:30has been inspired by the Model 3. Now, if you look in the front of the car, yes, there have
02:35been changes compared to the previous iteration. The DRL now running across the front which is
02:41again more Cybertruck inspired but the main headlights are right here. So, yes, this is a futuristic
02:47look that the car receives on the front and I personally really like it but if you move
02:52to the sides, yes, aesthetically the wheelbase kind of looks very imposing on the road, it
02:58looks a bit long and this is something that you would want on a hatchback that looks futuristic
03:02and also, you know, gives that look that it is an imposing figure on the road. The backlight
03:08is right now running across the back as well, there is a camera sensor over here but this
03:12light is being reflected on the logo which is primarily just gives it a bit of more aesthetics
03:18and I think it looks very nice. However, yes, the tail which kind of is the spoiler is obviously
03:25a hatchback car, gives it a very very kind of a futuristic look of the overall the back but
03:31I would say if you are looking at the SUV segment or the hatchback segment, Tesla just stands
03:36out and that's what makes this car really special in terms of the overall design philosophy that
03:41Tesla has carried with this one.
03:44Built primarily from aluminium and high strength steel, the Y is one of the safest electric cars in India.
03:51The model Y weighs around 1900 kilograms for the long-range version which is fairly lean for a crossover
03:58in this segment. Its aerodynamic form is no accident. With a drag coefficient of just 0.23, it cuts air in front of it like most sports cars.
04:10That translates to better range, quieter cabin acoustics and less drag on highways. But it's not just about how it looks.
04:18The smooth underbody, flush door handles and the iconic sloped roof line, they all serve a purpose. Better efficiency and less air resistance.
04:30What's more, Tesla has redefined what a crossover SUV can offer. With no engine under the hood, the model Y opens up more space in more ways than just one.
04:41You tap the button over there and the boot pops up. But the interesting bit is here, since there is no engine,
04:48you get to store anything that you want in this compartment space, which is again, pretty spacious.
04:54They have stuck the cover inside of here, but if I remove the cover, you can have a look of the kind of space that you are getting.
05:00The other interesting bit is that even if you are putting any liquids inside, there is an option to drain all of it via this little exit point.
05:13And I think even if you want to keep any liquids over here, this is something very convenient.
05:18And I think Tesla has really thought about people who want to carry that extra load.
05:22If the back of the car is like completely full, you can obviously use this space.
05:29But again, talking more about space, let's move to the back of the car and check it out.
05:37The model Y offers a class leading total of over 2100 litres of cargo space when the rear seats are folded.
05:45That includes a front trunk, giving you space for your laptop bag, gym gear or even a 5 foot 10 inch tech show host.
05:54They can all fit in easily.
05:59You will find smart compartments throughout the car, like deep door bins and underfloor rear storage.
06:15So we spoke about all of the touch functionalities and the big screen.
06:18But let's also talk about some of the manual controls that are available here, which are mostly on the steering wheels.
06:23Now, if you want to maybe pop up the volume, you can also do that using the scroller over here.
06:28It also controls the light and the wipers.
06:30And this is, by the way, a joystick control.
06:33You can actually use the functionality of the scrolling mechanism and also it turns left and right.
06:38There is a taptic feedback that is coming from the buttons over here.
06:42Also, initially one would get confused of how to get out of the car because that is a problem.
06:47But there is a button over here which kind of pops the window down a bit and then unlocks and then you can move out.
06:53So that's something that people will get used to.
06:55And also some of the buttons are available to basically get the windows down and up.
06:59And yes, manual controls haven't been given such a priority on the car.
07:04But I understand that it's a futuristic car.
07:06But yeah, some of the manual controls are available.
07:09But the most important, by the way, which I forgot to mention, is that the indicator is getting this toggle over here.
07:15And thankfully, this is something that even the Indian consumers are used to.
07:19And they will be able to use this functionality and something that they can relate to.
07:23It's a good one to have.
07:24Right up front, you get a neatly integrated wireless charging pad that can power up to two smartphones side by side.
07:34With the Y, it's all about minimalism.
07:37No buttons, no clutter at all.
07:40But a heads up, there is no 12V charging socket or USB A port anywhere.
07:46So if you're used to plugging in your dash cam or other accessories, you might need to get creative.
07:52So I understand that aesthetics matter a lot to people.
07:57And if you've seen the upholstery, it is right now in white color, which could be a problem.
08:02It might attract smudges and get dirty very soon.
08:05So that's something that people will need to take care of.
08:07But just talking about the entire aesthetics and the quality that you see in the cockpit and the cabin.
08:13There's a lot of fabric over here on the top.
08:15Again, very grey color.
08:16There is for leather across the entire instrument cluster.
08:20And you also get very premium finishing.
08:22I think the finishing is something that you see like really top-notch.
08:26Even on the door handles, there is enough leather and fabric.
08:28And it's a mix of all of the premium materials that Tesla has used in this car.
08:33But the thing is, there is a lot of glass use and a lot of airiness that you get to experience with this one.
08:38And even if a side seat passenger is sitting and, you know, taking a ride,
08:43they will not feel that they are sitting in any ordinary car.
08:46This looks very premium and that is really a plus point that this car brings to the table.
08:54Step inside and you're greeted by Tesla's signature minimalistic cabin.
08:58The materials feed premium with synthetic leather upholstery that's both durable and eco-conscious.
09:05Buyers in India will also get the all-black interior variant.
09:09Both add a futuristic yet classy vibe to the cabin.
09:13The front seats are both heated and ventilated.
09:16A feature most Indians will appreciate during the harsh summers and long monsoons.
09:21And yes, there's ample leg room even for taller occupants, both in the front and the rear.
09:27You can even customize driver profiles for multiple drivers that adjust the height of the seat and position of the steering with just a single tap.
09:36When I say it's futuristic, yes, it is because you can see these subtle insertions by Tesla.
09:42For example, this sensor right here.
09:43Now, this camera kind of keeps a track on what's happening inside of the cabin.
09:47If the driver is not aware, they take a note of that and then give an alert,
09:53which is very important in terms of a safety feature.
09:56So, yes, when you're driving, while it is packed to the brim with all of the safety features that you would want in an electric car,
10:03some of these subtle insertions also matter a lot.
10:12Something that is a treat for rear passengers and again, something that I wanted to highlight is the amount of space that someone sitting at the back would get.
10:20Also, look at the amount of headroom.
10:22I am 5'10 and even the seat isn't reclined as much and I'm giving, I mean, getting enough headroom over here.
10:28The, yes, the under thigh support could have been better, I feel, but the upholstery being very premium leather just gives you a feel of a very premium, you know, rear passenger experience.
10:39And I think this is something that people with even who are longer legs would appreciate that the knee room is something also that you are getting a very ample amount of space over here.
10:49At the back, you get a compact touch screen mounted between the front seats, offering climate control, media playback and even video streaming when parked, of course.
11:02In terms of safety, Tesla doesn't compromise.
11:05The Model Y comes with six airbags, including curtain airbags that protect both rows.
11:10The rear bench can comfortably accommodate three adults, although the sloped roof might limit headroom for the tallest passengers.
11:18Like I said, I'm 5'10 and I was sitting comfortably.
11:23So the conversation that is the most important in this segment is the tech inside the car.
11:29So we're experiencing the Model Y and as you can see, and I'm sure you've seen it on the internet as well, that there are no physical buttons on this car.
11:38And you also enter the vehicle using this car.
11:42There's no actual key and you can also enter using the application.
11:45And you have to keep the key over here to make sure that the entire functionality kind of performs really well.
11:51Now let's talk about the main headline maker of this central console, which is this 15.4 inch touch display, which has practically all of the controls that you need on the car.
12:04Now, some of the physical buttons are present, which are on the steering wheel, which control the mirrors, but rest of it, you can use the, you know, this large screen to control.
12:15For example, if you want to activate climate control or control the AC vents, which are by the way hidden, you can toggle all of these settings via this display.
12:25Now, I know there will be people with an opinion that there should be a few physical buttons.
12:31I agree with them.
12:32Everything should not be just based on one, one big screen, but I mean, this is the future, right?
12:38All of the auto manufacturers are kind of telling you that get used to this kind of an experience, get everything on the display.
12:44And I think this will be something that will be the future of cars.
12:48Let me just take you through of what functionality that the display offers.
12:53For example, if you want to control the lights, you can turn them off, turn them on.
12:57It's pretty simple.
12:58Yes, this is something that will take time to get used to.
13:02But over the course of the duration that you use the car, you will get used to, you know, getting most of the settings right.
13:09Let's talk about dynamics, the options, acceleration, deceleration, all of the driving modes are right over here.
13:16You can also see how much the charging has been completed.
13:19If you want to switch to autopilot mode, that option is also here.
13:22The lighting, the ambient lighting that is available inside the car, all of it you can control using this big display.
13:28I think in terms of the overall front of the cockpit, I agree, it is futuristic.
13:33I agree, display controls should be there, but a few manual controls would have done, you know, some good.
13:41I really feel some manual controls should be there.
13:43What do you think?
13:44What I didn't like is that there isn't a dedicated heads-up display, which can make driving inconvenient for some.
13:54Like I recently drove the Mahindra XCV9E, which has a holographic display in the front for all the driving metrics.
14:02And something like that on the Model Y would have helped a great deal.
14:06All the essential car controls like adjusting mirrors to positioning the AC vents are handled through the 15-inch touchscreen.
14:13The touch is responsive and is intuitive, but it does take a while to get used to not having any physical buttons at all.
14:21Now let's talk about cameras.
14:24The Model Y is equipped with eight external cameras, ultrasonic sensors and Tesla's advanced self-driving system, Autopilot.
14:33In India, some features like full self-driving are not available due to regulatory norms, but safety features like lane-keeping assist, emergency braking and adaptive cruise control are baked in.
14:45The Tesla app also plays a major role, from unlocking your car to checking range, pre-cooling the cabin or even summoning your car out of a tight parking spot.
14:56But here's the twist, the Model Y doesn't support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
15:03That's a bold choice, but it's part of Tesla's ecosystem first approach.
15:08It's not a bad UI, the icons and theme look refined and it feels like a lot of thought has been put into making this as close to a smartphone experience.
15:17And what about charging?
15:20While international Teslas use the proprietary NACS connector, the Model Y in India comes with the CCS2 standard, making it compatible with most public fast chargers here.
15:31While Tesla is secretive about official battery capacity, it is estimated that the standard variant gets 455 km range and the long-range version delivers up to 533 km on a single charge.
15:44With a DC fast charger, you can go from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes.
15:49Home AC charging through a wall box takes around 8 to 10 hours.
15:53And with every Model Y purchase, Tesla includes a free home charger and covers its installation up to 50 meters.
16:01You will receive a wall-mounted charger ready for use with no extra purchase needed.
16:05Rest, the company said it will install supercharger networks in Mumbai and Delhi before deliveries start.
16:14Now, how does it drive?
16:17I believe to answer that question, we need to talk to someone who has driven the Model Y for long enough and on different roads across the globe.
16:26And for that, we have a special guest on the show.
16:29Alright, so I promise you that we will get more expertise on the show and we have delivered indeed.
16:35Welcome to the show, Yogi Indra and thank you so much for giving us your time.
16:39You're welcome. It's a pleasure to talk about nice cars.
16:42Great, of course, it's a nice car.
16:44And I would specifically want your understanding and expertise of the Model Y since you've driven it around the world.
16:51What do you think? Is it practical for Indian roads?
16:53Because number one, it has got a very good ride quality.
16:57Right.
16:58Number two, it's got good range.
16:59Right.
17:00Number three, Tesla, wherever it goes, builds up a great network of charging stations.
17:06They're superchargers.
17:07Right.
17:08And it's got some very cool features.
17:10Right.
17:11What it doesn't have though is buttons for controlling anything.
17:15Right.
17:16It has a glass roof on top, which one needs to see what will happen in Delhi summers.
17:21Correct, correct.
17:22Although they say like it keeps out 70-75% of the heat.
17:26So these are some of the good and negative points about the car.
17:31But on top of all that, in India, we'll be paying double for what the world pays for the charge.
17:35Of course, that is a big concern.
17:37Considering that Indian roads are a bit challenging compared to like European roads or maybe in Western countries,
17:43how do you think that this car will fare considering that challenge?
17:46Yeah.
17:47So the suspension of the car is really good.
17:49It's got a good ride quality.
17:50The seats are especially well bolstered.
17:53They are very comfortable.
17:55Right.
17:56I've driven long distances in the previous version of this car.
18:00And it is really comfortable and they've made this one even more comfortable.
18:03Right.
18:04So I think that's not a concern.
18:07And today in Mumbai, in lashing rain, we were driving on some of the worst roads that the world can have.
18:14And yeah, it seemed to take it all fine.
18:17Yeah.
18:18Tesla doesn't mention the ground clearance of the car.
18:21But it seemed to go over all speed breakers.
18:24Yeah.
18:25So slightly gently.
18:26So no clarity, no bonus points for the Mumbai roads.
18:28But highlighting a point that a lot of people and I'm sure people watching the show would want to know is the range.
18:34What kind of range can people expect in India with this car?
18:37The Indian homologated figures are always on the higher side.
18:42Right.
18:43But I'll still give it about 500 kilometers, which is really good for the short range version.
18:48And even in the city with traffic.
18:50So the thing with electric cars is that unlike ICE vehicles.
18:55Right.
18:56Where the efficiency goes down when you're in stop-go traffic.
19:00Right.
19:01In electric cars, it goes up.
19:02Correct.
19:03The biggest challenge to range in electric cars is when you're driving on highways and you're driving fast.
19:08Right.
19:09Because aerodynamic drag is the worst enemy of electric range.
19:16Right.
19:17It's not traffic.
19:18It's not heavy traffic.
19:19It's not stop-go traffic.
19:20Uh-huh.
19:21Stop-go traffic means you're barely consuming any electricity.
19:25Right.
19:26Right.
19:27So another concerning point that a lot of people would want to ask is the charging.
19:32The infrastructure right now I would say is not as developed as other nations.
19:36So charging, can you just explain how challenging or not challenging it could be for the Tesla Y?
19:42Number one, now in its latest cars, Tesla earlier used to have a special charging system
19:49where you could only charge at Tesla superchargers.
19:53Right.
19:54There are many common charging ports which everybody else uses as well.
19:58So you can charge at any charging point whether it's a Mercedes showroom, BMW showroom, the other service providers,
20:08static and there are so many of them.
20:10Right.
20:11You can charge at all of them.
20:12Right.
20:13That is number one.
20:14Number two, in India for electric cars, for city driving, it makes more sense to charge at home.
20:20It is one fourth the price of charging outside.
20:24Wow.
20:25And even charging outside is half the price or less than half the price of putting in the most efficient fuel in the car.
20:32Right.
20:33So it is dirt cheap.
20:34Servicing, that is also something concerning for people who drive regular cars.
20:38How is servicing working for Tesla Model Y specifically?
20:42So number one, electric cars don't need as much, they don't need much servicing at all.
20:49Aha.
20:50I mean, if in ICE vehicles, you need to service the car once a year, 10,000 kilometers, 15, 20.
20:59Now some of the premium brands have unlimited service intervals where the car diagnoses whether it can go on or needs to be serviced.
21:10And sometimes the service intervals are like two years and all.
21:14Aha.
21:15With electric cars, I mean, they require virtually no service.
21:17Wow.
21:18All the, there's no engine, there's no moving parts, the motors are sealed, the battery pack is sealed.
21:23Right.
21:24Unless, I mean, something goes wrong, then you need to get something done.
21:30Yeah.
21:31And then again, in these cars, I mean, if the battery pack goes, it's in warranty, they'll replace the entire battery pack.
21:37They won't find out, you know, which cell went wrong and replace that cell.
21:40Right.
21:41So all that is fine.
21:44So there you have it, the Tesla Model Y in India.
21:47While it breeds extravagance, one might also want to ponder the practicality of this car in India.
21:53The glass roof, the charging infrastructure and most importantly, the exorbitant price tag of nearly 60 lakh rupees.
22:01For less than that, you can get the BYD Sea Lion 7, the Kia EV6 and even the Volvo XC40 Recharge,
22:08which offers some good features for the Indian market.
22:11The only problem, they're not a Tesla.
22:14What we showed you isn't just a glimpse, it is indeed the bigger picture of what the Indian automotive industry is transforming into.
22:22And this one is really accelerating it, the Tesla Model Y.
22:26We showed you the tech behind it.
22:28We showed you how it drives, the overall experience of what you will get with this car.
22:33But here's the thing.
22:34The competition in India is stiff.
22:36There are some of the things that people might not like about this car and that could really change things around for this brand in India.
22:43But what do you think?
22:45Will Tesla really be successful in India?
22:47Will this car really send you?
22:49You can let us know and send us what you think about the show as well on the ID that we have mentioned.
22:54This is Cyrus signing off on Tech Today and with the promise that I'll be back with more exciting tech stuff right here.
23:00See you next week.
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