Tesla has quietly launched a paid performance upgrade for owners of the refreshed 2026 new Model Y, giving customers a taste of higher performance without splurging on a pricier variant.
The newly released “Acceleration Boost” upgrade costs $2k and shaves a meaningful 0.4 seconds off the New Model Y Long Range AWD’s 0-60 mph time, bringing it down from 4.6 seconds to a considerably quicker 4.2 seconds. Software-based enhancement adds approximately 100 horsepower to the electric crossover, representing one of the automotive industry’s most straightforward performance upgrades.
The update was first spotted by Tesla investor Matthew Donegan-Ryan, who shared the finding on X this weekend. “Tesla has released the ‘Acceleration Boost’ paid software upgrade for the refresh 2026 Model Y (Juniper),” he noted. “It’s probably the best value in automotive performance on the market.”
Tesla has released the “Acceleration Boost” paid software upgrade for the refresh new Model Y.
Where’s the Performance variant? This Acceleration Boost offering comes at an interesting time in the new Model Y lineup’s evolution. After concluding its limited “Launch Series” for the refreshed Model Y, Tesla has only made the Long Range AWD version available to US customers, despite expectations that the company would follow its traditional pattern of offering RWD and Performance variants.
The absence of a dedicated Performance model might explain why Tesla rolled out this paid upgrade now. For $2k, current owners can transform their standard Long Range new Model Y into something approaching what we’d expect from a Performance trim—without waiting for Tesla to release that variant officially.
The ability to fundamentally alter vehicle performance through OTA updates showcases Tesla’s continued leadership in creating software-defined vehicles.
This strategy also creates a new revenue stream from existing customers who might want more performance without trading in for a new vehicle. Model Y continues to be Tesla’s bestselling vehicle globally, and this Acceleration Boost upgrade gives owners a compelling reason to spend more within the Tesla ecosystem.
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