EVwire brief: A camouflaged Tesla Model Y L prototype has been spotted testing again at Germany's Nürburgring, hinting at a European launch for the long-wheelbase, six-seat crossover SUV.
It's not the model's first sighting there. The Model Y L was first caught at the Nürburgring in August 2025, ahead of its eventual September China launch. Nearly a year later, it's back on the same track, lightly camouflaged at the front and rear with the middle of the body left exposed.
Here are some photos of the Model Y L at the Ring, courtesy of Carwow.de and shared by Tesla Newswire on X.
Based on Carwow’s spy photos, the wrapped Model Y L at the Ring is equipped with 20’’ Uberhelix Wheels (Source)
The prototype shows the same core changes Tesla has used in every other market: three rows of two seats, six-seat only, plus about 7 inches (18 cm) of extra length that stretches total length to roughly 196 inches (4.98 m) and unlocks 2,539 liters (about 90 cubic feet) of cargo room, 340 liters (12 cubic feet) more than the standard Model Y.
Similar to the Model Y L sold in other countries today, the vehicle is expected to offer several key features for the European market. These include extended second-row seat ventilation and power adjustment, adaptive dampers, and vehicle-to-load capability. Interestingly enough, the Model Y L in Germany is expected to run an 88 kWh battery good for 681 km (423 miles) WLTP, larger than the 83 kWh pack Tesla confirmed for the US Launch Series.
With the recent sighting at the Nürburgring, expectations are high that the Model Y L might see a Germany release soon (Source)
Context:
There's no confirmed European launch date or pricing yet, but the pace from spy shot to showroom has been quick elsewhere. After turning up in China, the Model Y L launched there within weeks, then landed in the US in July with a $61,990 Launch Series trim and deliveries beginning September-October.
If Tesla follows the same playbook in Europe, expect a similar price premium. The US Launch Series runs about $12,000 more than a comparably equipped all-wheel-drive Model Y, a gap Carwow.de estimated at roughly €10,500 at current exchange rates for a European buyer, though Tesla hasn't confirmed any regional pricing.
The Model Y L’s extended wheelbase allows the vehicle to offer ample third-row legroom.
The six-seat crossover would slot into a growing gap in Tesla's European lineup. The Model X is no longer orderable there, leaving a hole for larger families that the Model Y L is positioned to fill, competing against the Kia EV9, the incoming Skoda Peaq, and the Hyundai Ioniq 9.
Tesla's pattern here is hard to miss: spy shot first, launch a few months later. The Model Y L just ran that script for a second time.
Source: Carwow.de, autoevolution
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