Tesla Model Y Juniper facelift – Launch Series no longer available in Malaysia, LR AWD 0.5 secs slower

True to its word, Tesla has discontinued Launch Series versions of the facelifted Model Y, codenamed Project Juniper, less than three months after the refreshed electric SUV went on sale in Malaysia. With this, buyers no longer get the extra bits from the limited edition, and their cars will be slower to boot.

Launch Series units were proffered a special Plaid-esque badge and puddle light logos, along with Launch Series side sill scuff plates and “vegan leather” dashboard trim on cars with black interiors. The top-spec (for now) Long Range All-Wheel Drive model was also fitted with an Acceleration Boost feature that slashed half a second off the zero-to-100 km/h sprint time.

As a result, the car now completes the century sprint in 4.8 seconds, from just 4.3 seconds previously. Meanwhile, the base Rear Wheel Drive model is unchanged and takes the same 5.9 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h. The rest of the specs have not been touched, so range continues to be rated at 466 km for the RWD model and 551 km for the LR AWD, both on the WLTP cycle.

To recap, the Juniper facelift grafts on Tesla’s latest design language already seen on the Cybertruck and Cybercab, comprising of full-width front and rear light bars (the latter is the world’s first indirectly-lit taillight), low-mounted headlights and a new rear diffuser incorporating the number plate recess. There are also redesigned 19- and 20-inch wheel options, as well as a new Glacier Blue hue.

Inside, the Model Y carries over the improvements from the facelifted Model 3, including a larger 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, customisable ambient lighting, ventilated seats and an eight-inch rear touchscreen on the back of the centre console. Thankfully, the indicator stalk remains.

On top of that are further improvements such as all-around double-glazed acoustic glass (front windows only for the 2024 model) for an even quieter drive and a UV-reflecting silver coating for the panoramic glass roof. The rear seats also gain a powered recline function, which means that those pews can now both be folded and unfolded electrically using buttons in the boot. A new front camera provides a better forward view when parking, although a proper 360-degree camera view is still not available.

Under the skin, the Model Y has been tweaked for a quieter ride thanks to the new wheel and tyre packages and revised body castings that consolidate 70 parts into a single panel. The new rear diffuser also helps to balance lift between the front and rear axles, improving high-speed stability.

Pricing remains unchanged – the Model Y Juniper continues to be priced at RM195,450 nett for the RWD model and RM242,450 for the LR AWD, RM4,450 more than the previous model. Deliveries of the Launch Series are set to commence this month.

GALLERY: Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD Juniper in Malaysia

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