Space for seven adults, up to 540 kilometers and a starting price of around 40,000 euros - the Tesla Model Y, which could be built in Germany in the future, promises a lot of electric car for relatively little money. Under the cover of the SUV hides a Model 3, the middle-class model of Tesla. About 70 percent of the components are identical, so the Model Y is to guarantee better profit margins despite the comparatively low price.
How concrete Elon Musk's plans are for Germany remains to be seen. In the past, the electric car pioneer had repeatedly caused a stir with spectacular announcements. Not infrequently, when his company threatened to get into trouble. For this reason, critics of Musk especially sense a distraction maneuver at his announcements. However, the Model Y is not a pure air number for all concerns.
The production of the vehicle does not start in Germany, but in the USA. Starting in 2020, the model Y will be rolled off the production line in the local factory and then exported. The factory planned near Berlin will be completed in 2021. At the moment Model 3 can pre-order three variants, which can accommodate a maximum of seven adults:
- The performance version, which accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds and should be up to 241 km / h fast. Due to the mileage and the four-wheel drive, however, it offers "only" a range of up to 480 kilometers.
- The longest comes the "Long Range" model, it should offer, according to Tesla thanks to rear-wheel drive and slightly weaker performance up to 540 kilometers range. However, it is sold with slightly weaker performance: The 100 km / h mark falls from a standing position only after 5.8 seconds, the top speed is 209 km / h.
- The "maximum range" model lies between the two extremes: It has a dual-engine all-wheel drive, but accelerates from zero to 100 km / h in only 5.1 seconds, with the end at 217 km / h. Thanks to these compromises, the range according to Tesla, however, be at 505 kilometers.
In the US, these three variants are already available for 48,000 ("Long Range") to 61,000 US dollars (Performance version) ordered. Thus, all versions would come into question for the purchase premium of 5000 euros, even in the case of prices that are usually slightly higher on the German market. So far, Tesla plans as always for Germany, the introduction of the top variant first. The base model for about 40,000 euros with a range of about 370 kilometers and a smaller battery pack will follow in the spring of 2021.
The relationship with the Model 3 is not only recognizable in terms of prices and equipment, but also directly visible. Especially the front and rear of the compact SUV are similar to those of the middle-class brother, the Model Y is about ten percent larger - and above all, a little higher.
The comparatively high cabin also brought the Model Y harsh criticism. This is what former General Motors Manager Bob Lutz, who drove the Chevrolet Volt e-car at GM, described as "incurably ugly". "It's still such a hunchbacked part as the Model X", Lutz judged in an interview.
Whether the comparatively unusual design convinces or deters customers, however, has yet to be seen. But far more of a problem for Tesla this time is the competition - exceptionally. Because so far, the Californians always set the first electric brand in each segment. E-mobility became socially acceptable through the Roadster, the sedan Model S and the SUV Model X electrified the upper class. The Model 3 brought high ranges for comparatively little money in the middle class.
However, the segment of compact electric SUV occupied the established manufacturers before Tesla. For example, the Hyundai Kona Elektro and the Kia e-Niro, which are also available for around € 40,000 and have a range of 455 and 482 kilometers respectively, are already waiting there.
photo gallery
20 pictures
Photo gallery: The Electric News 2020At the same time, the models of the established manufacturers visually match the usual proportions of an SUV - unlike the Model Y. "It's neither an SUV, nor a sedan," said critic Bob Lutz. He therefore does not believe that Model Y could venture into a new segment: "I think the sales will replace those of the Model 3 in particular."
In addition, Tesla has to significantly increase in terms of manufacturing quality, if the company wants to persist in the German market permanently. Although the first vehicles such as Model S and Model X were of surprisingly high quality, considering that Tesla is an absolute newcomer to vehicle manufacturing. The Model 3 but the quality problems piled up. For example, a German car rental agency that specializes in Tesla and ordered 100 copies of the Model 3 had canceled the order: Hardly any vehicle was faultless when the vehicles were delivered.
