Tesla's new flagship SUV for right-hand-drive markets has been spotted without camouflage ahead of a reveal in the coming months.
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This is the world's first look at the updated 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance electric SUV, without camouflage, ahead of its global launch due by the end of this year.
Footage shared by Tesla owner Elizabeth with the German-speaking Nextmove YouTube channel shows a red Model Y Performance testing in the Swiss Alps, followed by a regular Model Y support car.
No licence plates are fitted to the Performance, suggesting it is being used for photography ahead of its global reveal, rather than road testing and development.
The clearest view is of the rear end, where the flagship Tesla variant gains a black lip spoiler – as with today's model – and a sportier lower bumper with additional aero inserts, and new sculpting behind the rear wheels.
New wheels are visible – expected to be a 21-inch design, with similarities to the Arachnid alloys fitted to the larger Model S – and a 'ludicrous' badge on the tailgate.
A shot of the vehicle approaching the camera appears to show a unique front bumper with new air intakes under the headlights, as well as black mirror caps.
While it looks orange in the video, it's expected to wear the same Ultra Red paint finish as the regular Model Y.
The updated Model Y Performance is likely to blend the outgoing model's formula with upgrades derived from the latest Model 3 Performance sports sedan.
It would mean a new, more powerful electric motor to boost the car's theoretical power output from 393kW to 461kW, though the battery pack is understood to limit the power output to closer to 400kW.
In the Model 3, it cut the 0-100km/h acceleration time by the same 0.2 seconds, which would suggest a drop from 3.7 to 3.5 seconds in the Model Y.
The driving range rating may also decrease, however, from 514km in the outgoing Performance to an estimated 490km, based on the 3 per cent reduction seen by the latest Model 3 Performance.
Adaptive suspension may be added, in line with the Model 3, plus upgraded brakes with new pads.
More details of the 2026 Tesla Model Y Performance are due closer to its global unveiling, due in the second half of this year.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
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