Tesla Updates Model Y in China with Longer Back Seats, Emergency Rear Door Release [PICS]

model y china rear seats

Image shared by Chris Zheng

Tesla continues to introduce new features for its Model Y, starting for those in China.

According to news shared by Chris Zheng (@ChrisZheng001), Tesla told customers they were very excited to introduce two new product updates for the Chinese market, based on feedback. We can see in the pictures there’s a longer back seat. Zheng frequently shares Tesla news from China.

The Model Y back seats are now extended by 30mm (1.18 inches) for all models of the compact crossover SUV, to improve leg support and reduce passenger fatigue and bring a more comfortable ride.

Also new is an emergency rear door release for the rear doors. Traditionally, the emergency release is underneath the rear door pocket, but now it appears to have gained an easier release for emergency situations.

We have yet to see an image of the implementation of the emergency rear door release for the Model Y. For the front doors, the emergency release is a pull handle, and hopefully, it’s the same for the rear doors.

Tesla says these new features will begin in mid-October 2022 at Giga Shanghai, according to an image shared by Zheng.

In the past, Tesla has launched new vehicle features first in China, before expanding them to worldwide markets. This includes the trunk cargo cover for the Model Y, trunk hooks, HEPA filter for Bioweapon Defense Mode, AMD chips, rear laminated glass, wood trims for front doors and more.

Update: Tesla has updated its Model Y user manual to mention the following: “For cars manufactured at the Fremont factory starting approximately early August 2022, or at Gigafactory Shanghai starting approximately mid September [2022], you can open a rear door manually in the unlikely situation in which Model Y has no power.”

The instructions are as follows from Tesla:

  1. Remove the mat from the bottom of the rear door pocket.
  2. Press the red tab to remove the access door.
  3. Pull the mechanical release cable forward.

“Manual door releases are designed to be used only in situations when Model Y has no power. When Model Y has power, use the button located at the top of the interior door handle,” says the automaker.

tesla rear door latch

Tesla North has obtained pictures of this rear door latch, shared on Chinese social media by ‘🐟xiaoyu’. Essentially you’re lifting up a door pocket flap, lifting up another latch area, to then reveal a pull ring:

tesla rear door latch china

Here is a video of the new emergency release…note that the door pocket top cover has changed, and the red latch below is just to remove the cover to reach the pull ring:

YouTube video

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sukisszoze
sukisszoze
3 years ago

Tesla should retrofit owners to put in emergency rear door releases. It’s so dangerous that the back seat passengers can’t open the door if there is no power. Who has time to manually dig the side pocket to find the pull tab to open the door in an emergency?

Duke 123
Duke 123
3 years ago
Reply to  sukisszoze

That’s a lot of work. Cheaper to hand out those tool that can break the windows. You bough into the car and know there’s no emergency release latch for rear doors.

ModelYnona
ModelYnona
3 years ago
Reply to  Duke 123

You’re wrong about no emergency release in the rear doors of a Tesla Model Y. They are under the door cubby mats and basically need a tool to pop the tab to grab and use. Been there from the first 2020 Model Y’s. So, there wasn’t a buy in to a car with a missing safety release. Know the facts first Duke 123! You just proved the old adage. Better not to speak and be thought stupid. Than to speak and remove all doubt.

Duke 123
Duke 123
3 years ago
Reply to  ModelYnona

What are you talking about. Been following Tesla since 2012. U haven’t watched i1 tesla where you can diy the latch. Model 7 new built have the latch. I am merely responding to the other thread that bitch about adding release latch. You probably don’t know sarcasm

katze_sonne
katze_sonne
3 years ago
Reply to  sukisszoze

Ever heard of child locks or the totally normal 2 door cars? Soooo dangerous! /s

sukisszoze
sukisszoze
3 years ago
Reply to  katze_sonne

Tesla should implement the same manual release on the back as the front doors. Or, The Y can implement the same solution on the S, where it has a tab under the seat so an adult can reach down to release the door, overriding the child lock. The door can be opened from the outside if child door locks are engaged in other cars; not sure someone can open a Tesla back door from outside with no power.

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