Elon Musk unveils new Tesla Model Y SUV

Tesla has launched its latest car, the Model Y, its second mass-market electric vehicle. The car was unveiled at an event in Los Angeles. The firm will first release a long-range version of the vehicle with a price tag of $47,000 (£35,489).

The most-affordable Model Y will have a base price of $39,000 and a 230-mile battery range, but customers will have to wait until at least 2021 to own one of the five-seater SUVs.

Tesla will first sell more expensive versions of the Model Y — with prices starting from $47,000 to $60,000, and offering more battery range. Those will ship starting in 2020, according to the company. There are additional charges for Tesla's autopilot software, a third row of seats and colors other than black. A panoramic glass roof comes standard.

An enthusiastic Musk said on stage he expected Tesla to sell more Model Ys than Model 3s and Model Xs combined. Production of the SUV is supposed to begin next year.

It comes after a challenging period for Tesla, with production issues and legal problems for Musk.

The Tesla boss had previously described the Model Y as part of a plan to reach a wider audience, following on from the Model 3 - the cheapest car in its range, which was launched in 2017.

The first, more expensive Model Y will have a range of 300 miles (482 km). Deliveries are expected to begin in next year.

The standard model will have a range of 230 miles per charge.

By contrast, the Model 3 has a range of 220 miles, a top speed of 130mph and 0-60mph acceleration of 5.6 seconds.

More than 400,000 signed up for the car but it faced production issues and the prices were higher than expected, averaging $50,000.

The price was reduced to $35,000 in March.

The Model Y will have many of the same features as the Model 3 but will be about 10% bigger.

The Model X - the Y's more expensive sibling - has a starting price of $79,500.