Tesla Model Y SUV Release Date in 2018 With Full Self-Driving Capability?

By Denise See, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Anticipation is already high for Tesla's Model 3, but another car from the same company has also been getting a lot of attention. The yet-to-be announced Model Y SUV is expected to be unveiled in 2018.

According to Autocar, the Model Y SUV is a compact crossover that will be based on the same platform as the Model 3. It is believed that the Model Y will sport tophinged falcon wing rear doors, much like the ones on the larger Model X SUV.

Apart from that, the company announced in October that all Tesla cars will have full self-driving capability. These include the Model 3 and the unconfirmed Model Y. The full self-driving capability allows for a safer experience than a car headed by a human driver. This is because of the eight cameras that surround the vehicle. These cameras will give a 360 degree view at up to 250 meters of range.

In addition to the cameras, there will also be 12 updated ultrasonic sensors which are designed to detect objects, both hard and soft, at an improved distance. There has also been talk of the Model Y getting a larger battery than the Model 3.

Like the Model 3, the Model Y SUV is expected to be more affordable than the company's current roster of vehicles. According to the company's website, the Model 3 has a starting price of $35,000. The Model Y, though, is poised to be a little more pricey than the Model 3 because of the difference in battery size, among other things.

Production for the Model 3 begins this year and a ton of reservations have already been made. The website notes, however, that new reservations will be delivered in mid-2018 at the earliest.

As for the Model Y, production is said to start late next year since the company is focusing all of its efforts on the Model 3 right now.