Contents Show
This car is as exciting as the Yps booklet used to be - and the longer you drive it, the more gimmicks you discover. Not that a fireplace or a whoopee cushion really takes you further with the Tesla Model Y. But it's fun, and that's exactly what Elon Musk wants to prove with his hope: That you can save the world with a smile on your lips.
The Model Y from Tesla - as exciting as a YPS booklet?
Does anyone remember the Yps booklet? At its best, the comic magazine was so popular that the kids stood in line at the newspaper kiosk. That was more than 30 years ago, but now another Ypsilon is electrifying the grown-up children of yore. Because under this name Tesla is now probably launching its most promising model and wants to finally help electromobility make a breakthrough with this reasonably handy and almost affordable cordless car. And just like back then in the magazine, the developers also hid a few ingenious gimmicks in the car.
However, ours will only discover it late - at least officially. Because Tesla wants to build the cars for Europe in the Brandenburg factory, the hopefuls will not cross the Atlantic until mid-next year at the earliest. And for that to work, they would have to start the concrete mixers in Grünheide.
Tesla Model Y production is delayed due to Corona
However, one of the first cars from the US production, which was dramatically delayed by Corona, has already made it to Europe and with the active support of the youtuber and electrical missionary Stefan Moeller from Nextmove, we got behind the wheel for a first exit.
Model Y may become a shooting star on Electric Avenue and sell better than Model S, X and 3 together. But at first glance it looks pretty unspectacular - smooth and straightforward like a worn piece of soap and confusingly similar to the other Tesla. Only in a direct comparison with the three can you see that it is six centimeters longer, seven centimeters wider and above all 18 centimeters higher. But the new format doesn't make the four-door coupé on stilts a rustic off-road vehicle either - but they are also from yesterday and better than any BMW X4, the Tesla proves that SUVs can also be sexy.
Tesla Model Y in the interior
Inside, the Model Y also seems quite familiar: Just like in the three, the cockpit is absolutely clean and, apart from the door openers and window regulators, there is no single switch anymore, just the huge touchscreen that hovers over the center console like an XXL tablet seems. And that you sit a bit higher, you notice that when you get in, but unfortunately not when you look out - because you can't see the bow of the Tesla from up here, for example. It's a good thing there are cameras all around.
Top model with 450 electric horsepower
Even when driving, you hardly notice a difference to the Model 3, which is just 1.500 euros cheaper - especially not if you are on the road like we do in the top model with performance setup: With two engines with a supposedly 450 hp - nothing exact As usual, Tesla does not reveal - it does not matter whether the car now weighs one or two hundred more or less and it is better to look for a free piece of road for the first kickdown. Because when the Model Y accelerates fully and sprints to 3,7 km / h in 100 seconds, even a 241 has to be put off. And even if the SUV is not quite as fast as the sedan at a maximum of XNUMX km / h, apart from all other European-made electric cars, the Taycan drives it off easily and casually.
Fully-fledged SUV, or rather a high-roof van?
While the Model Y feels like a Model 3 to the driver, except when getting in more comfortably, and you don't even feel the bit more ground clearance because the batteries still push the focus to the level of a sports car, the SUV has significantly more sex appeal for the backbenchers. Because the roof height noticeably increases headroom and the overall feeling of space is better. In addition, you can now adjust the inclination of the three-part backrest - even if it is a bit cumbersome - and therefore sit more comfortably. Just how the promised third row of seats should fit in the admittedly impressive trunk and the electric tailgate, that remains a secret of Elon Musk, which at least elementary school students can fathom at some point. But just as his software engineers hid a fireplace and a virtual whoopee cushion in the infotainment system, they will also rub this gimmick into the luggage compartment and do justice to the Yps image. And if you also develop a luggage compartment cover, spies will know where to go with your hat.
The purchase price of the Tesla Model Y
Construction and appearance are new, but we know the drive from the Model3: There is also the sexy alternative to the Model 3, initially with two engines and different performance: Optimized for range, the Model Y can travel up to 505 kilometers, for the standard Sprint 5,1, 217 seconds and speeds up to 480 km / h. Those who value more performance drive faster, but not so far: 58.620 kilometers are then on the badly sketchy data sheet that Tesla can elicit. And you have to dig deeper into your pocket: Tesla is currently calling 65.620 and 2.000 euros - of which only 2022 euros have to be paid in advance. But it won't be really exciting until 400 with the standard model. Although that only has one engine and a WLTP range of almost 45.000 kilometers, it will only cost around XNUMX euros. Even if a few details from the long list of options should then fall by the wayside, this tariff could become the biggest gimmick - especially after deduction of the funding.