Does Tesla's Model Y have what it takes to be a bestseller?

Tesla has long overtaken the established car world in terms of image and stock market value. But compared to VW and Co., the electrical pioneer is still a niche manufacturer. With Model Y, company boss Elon Musk wants to change that - and is focusing more on Germany than ever.

Berlin (dpa-infocom) - Elon Musk is soaring - not only because the Tesla boss is getting closer and closer to Mars with his space missions. But mainly because he is on a rapid ascent course down here on earth.

In less than ten years, he forced his belief in electromobility on the PS world and turned Tesla from a visionary craft booth to a veritable automobile manufacturer - it is not for nothing that total production has just reached the first million.

Now the Model Y is also up and running, which should become the best-selling Tesla. With us, the beacon of hope will not be available until next summer, and the base model for an estimated 45,000 euros will also not be available until 2021.

But the electric car rental company Stefan Moeller has already gained access to the first European gray import and briefly let us take the wheel.

On the SUV wave

When stepping out of the niche, Tesla takes no risk. That is why the Americans are building on the segment with the highest growth rates worldwide and have drawn the Model Y as a compact SUV. While conventional off-road vehicles like to appear robust and beefy, the Stromer makes a distinctly sleek, almost filigree impression. Nevertheless, it offers plenty of space at around 4.75 meters long and 1.63 meters high.

For this reason, adults also have enough knee and headroom in the second row, and everyone can find a comfortable sitting position with the adjustable backrest. The trunk also lives up to its name this time: the flap is attached to the roof and is therefore large. and if you lay the seats flat, over 1700 liters fit behind the hatch, not counting the "frunk" in the bow. Only where Tesla wants to accommodate the third row of seats promised as an option will not open up to you.

The technical basis for the Model Y is the Model 3, which is two hands' flatter, a little shorter and a little narrower. From him, the SUV also takes on the bare atmosphere with the giant tablet computer as the only display and control element, behind which you almost feel lost. But the view is all the better - especially because you sit higher and look through larger windows. And getting in and out is of course also more convenient.

Performance like a sports car

The drive is also taken over by the Model 3. Here and there there is therefore a "Long Range" and a "Performance" model and later a "Standard" version. While the latter only has one motor on the rear axle and will probably not offer a range of 400 kilometers, there is one motor and larger batteries for each model in the starting grid: Tesla therefore promises up to 505 kilometers of WLTP for the 58,620 euro long range. Range and a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 241 km / h for the performance model, which is again 7,000 euros more expensive. But there are only 480 kilometers in it.

You can feel the proud weight and the somewhat higher center of gravity. But the Model Y is not only faster than upcoming competitors like the BMW iX4 and the VW ID4 and its platform brothers at Audi, Skoda and Seat. But it is also surprisingly sporty. The steering directly, the chassis taut - so e-mobility also ensures a lot of driving pleasure.

The Y model gets a deduction in the B grade. Because for a car in this price range, the materials seem somewhat inadequate. The paint has different colors and the joints in the sheet metal or on the plastic consoles are sometimes rather random. But that too will change soon - with German help. Because instead of exporting the Model Y to Europe, Tesla wants to build the car in the new Gigafactory near Berlin and decorate it with the "Made in Germany" seal of approval.

Conclusion: Bearers of hope with obstacles

Pleasant shape, common format, trendy vehicle category, spectacular driving performance and at least the prospect of a fair price - this is how the Model Y actually has the chance to take Tesla further out of the niche. The fact that the Americans want to produce the car in Germany could also give them an advantage on the European market. But there is a catch: Because the factory will only be finished next year, the competitors are on the market for the first time before Tesla and the pioneer has to roll up the field from behind. And that VW and Co are now sending dedicated electric cars into the race instead of half-hearted conversions will not make things easier.

Datasheet: Tesla Model Y "Performance"

All data according to the manufacturer, GDV, Schwacke