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Tesla Model Y Track Mode takes on snowy roads in New Zealand

(Credit: Tesla)

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During the summer, Tesla took its S3XY lineup to Wanaka, New Zealand, to continue winter testing all year round. During those winter tests, Tesla took the Model Y’s track mode out for a spin on Wanaka’s snowy roads. 

Wanaka is a small town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is surrounded by mountains of the Southern Alps and is known for its outdoor recreation, including skiing or just leisurely walking past the stunning views. Winter in Wanaka runs from June through the end of August, with an average temperature of 10°C. 

Tesla Model Y Track Mode Winter Test

Tesla Model Y Performance owners have been waiting for Track Mode for a long time. Musk announced Track Mode for the Model Y Performance back in 2020, and it took some time before it was officially rolled out. 

Tesla released Track Mode for the Model Y Performance during its 2022 Holiday Update. With Track Mode, Model Y Performance owners can save up to 20 driving profiles specific to a different driving scenario or track. 

Tesla tested the Model Y’s Track Mode in Wanaka. The Tesla team worked hard on the feature, ensuring it is both fun and safe for Model Y drivers. 

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“We’re out here in New Zealand, working on Model Y Track Mode, a new development for the Model Y Performance package. So this is full oversteer. All you drifter guys are going to love this kind of setting because as soon s you just tip out, you can just rotate the car around and do pretty wild maneuvers,” said JD Price from Tesla’s testing team.

Winter Tests for the S3XY Lineup

Tesla tested all S3XY vehicles in Wanaka while it was summer in California. The team tested the cars and worked with Tesla’s team in California on software improvements for them. With Tesla’s unique software structure, the Wanaka team could test updates as soon as the California team rolled them out. 

“It’s super cool to talk to people in California, send the update halfway across the world [and then] you go on top of a mountain [and] test their update. That’s something I’ve never experienced before,” said one member of the Tesla testing team.

Another member of the Wanaka team mentioned that they go to different places to test the S3XY lineup so customers can drive their cars on many kinds of terrain and surfaces through varying weather. 

“We’re almost always on a proving ground, testing new software, and we run these thousands of times per software we release,” said one member of the time. 

“We do everything from driving the car, writing the code, doing that collaboration. That feedback look is really quick,” elaborated another team member.

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Check out Tesla’s Winter Testing video from Wanaka below!

If you have any tips, contact me at maria@teslarati.com or via Twitter @Writer_01001101.

Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Tesla Model Y Performance has a killer feature beyond its speed

Prior to the Model Y Performance, the feature has only been offered in the Tesla Cybertruck.

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Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model Y Performance has been launched in the United States, and as it turns out, it has a killer feature beyond its stellar speed and driving dynamics.

Apart from raw driving fun, the new Model Y Performance also has the capability to power appliances through its Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Home (V2H) bi-directional charging. 

Only the second Tesla

V2L and V2H systems have long been requested by electric vehicle owners. Prior to the Model Y Performance, the feature has only been offered in the Tesla Cybertruck, one of the company’s most expensive vehicles. With customers ordering the new Model Y Performance at the end of the third quarter, however, some noticed that their vehicles were listed with V2L and V2H systems. 

These features, or at least V2L specifically, was confirmed by the official Tesla account on social media platform X. In a response to a Tesla shareholder who highlighted the much-requested feature, the official Tesla X account noted that V2L is possible with a Tesla Outlet Adapter. “New Model Y Performance offers Vehicle to Load (120V 20A AC) with Tesla Outlet Adapter,” Tesla wrote in its post.

Affordable accessory

To be fair, Tesla’s official X account only referenced the new Model Y Performance’s V2L system. Details of the newly launched variant of the best-selling all-electric crossover’s V2H function are yet to be specified. However, it is difficult not to be excited about the new Model Y Performance’s V2L system, as the Tesla Power Adapter is available on the Tesla Shop for just $80. 

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The new Model Y Performance’s V2L and V2H systems bode well for the features’ rollout to Tesla’s other vehicles. If such a function has made it to the top-tier Model Y, after all, it might only be a matter of time before similar features are introduced to the company’s other vehicles, such as the Model 3 sedan and the Model S and X. 

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Tesla to offer financing options for new Model Y Performance buyers

The new Model Y Performance introduces a number of upgrades over its predecessor.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla officially launched the refreshed Model Y Performance in the United States, offering a sharper 0–60 mph sprint of 3.3 seconds, improved range of 306 miles, and a redesigned exterior. Priced at $57,490 before options, the high-performance all-electric crossover qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit until midnight on September 30.

And as per a recent comment from a Tesla VP, customers who place an order for the vehicle before the end of Q3 could have the option to finance the car later on.

Model Y Performance financing

Raj Jegannathan, Tesla VP of IT/AI-Infra, Apps, Infosec, and Vehicle Service Operations, shared the update in a post on social media platform X. As per the Tesla executive, “customers placing an order now will be given an option to finance when it’s closer for delivery.” This provides another incentive for customers to place an order for a Model Y Performance now. 

The Model Y Performance, already launched in Europe earlier this month, is expected to boost Tesla’s Q4 delivery figures. It also completes the full lineup of the revamped all-electric crossover, which, until now, has only been offered in two variants in the United States. 

Model Y Performance upgrades

The new Model Y Performance introduces a number of upgrades over its predecessor. Key updates include redesigned front and rear fascias, a new carbon fiber spoiler, and 21-inch Arachnid wheels with staggered fitment to boost grip and stability. Adaptive damping suspension and new drive modes give drivers more control at higher speeds, while updated battery cells deliver greater charge capacity.

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Interior refinements show a notable focus on comfort and technology, with its acoustic glass for a quieter ride, heated and ventilated front sport seats, heated rear seats with recline, and extended thigh cushions. A 16-inch high-resolution touchscreen has also been equipped in the vehicle.

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Tesla launches Model Y Performance in the U.S.

The new Model Y Performance now sports a 0-60 MPH acceleration rate of 3.3 seconds, a good improvement from the 3.5 seconds the 2025 version offered. It also has a better range rating, up to 308 miles from 277 miles in the previous model year.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has officially launched the Model Y Performance in the United States, boasting better range, performance, and features than its previous build.

The new Model Y Performance now sports a 0-60 MPH acceleration rate of 3.3 seconds, a good improvement from the 3.5 seconds the 2025 version offered. It also has a better range rating, up to 308 miles from 277 miles in the previous model year.

Tesla Model Y Performance zips around Nurburgring with new features

It is priced at $57,490, and will be eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit for the remainder of today, September 30. If you’re reading this on or after October 1, you will be required to pay $57,490.

Tesla also announced several new additions, both aesthetically and performance-wise. We’ll discuss them below:

Exterior Improvements

  • New front/rear fascia
  • Performance carbon spoiler for better aerodynamics – increased downforce and reduced drag
  • New 21″ Arachnid wheels and tires with staggered fitment to improve grip and steering
  • Adaptive damping adjusts handling and suspension for a smoother and more stable ride

Performance Improvements

  • New Drive Modes give you greater control for high-speed driving
  • Increased charge capacity thanks to high-density battery cells

Interior Improvements

  • Quiet cabin with premium sound-damping materials & acoustic glass
  • Heated/ventilated front sport seats & heated, perforated rear seats with power recline
  • Added bolstering and side cushions for improved comfort and stabilty when cornering
  • Cornered thigh cushion extenders, which were added to new Model Y L in China and Model Y Performance in Europe
  • 16″ high-res touchscreen

Credit: Tesla

Credit: Tesla

Credit: Tesla

Tesla offered the Model Y Performance in other markets before the United States, with deliveries starting in Europe earlier this month.

The launch of the Model Y Performance in the United States is expected to add a few thousand units to next quarter’s delivery figures. However, Tesla is doing customers a favor by launching it ahead of the tax credit’s expiration at midnight.

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