Tesla Model Y Juniper facelift: Known size

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– The Tesla Model Y Juniper is available to order in China: Juniper – refers to the redesign of the electric car, which is produced for the European market in Grünheide, Brandenburg. In 2023, the Model Y (test) was no less than the best-selling passenger car in the world, regardless of drive type. It won't be long before Juniper can also be ordered here and rolls off the production line.

The changes to the Tesla Model Y are in line with expectations, with narrow LED headlights and a continuous light strip. The design is similar to the Xpeng G6 or the Skoda Enyaq. There is also a continuous light strip at the rear. The Model Y has a smoothed overall appearance.

Length, width and height are 4.79, 1.98 and 1.62 meters respectively. A change can therefore be seen in the width and length: plus six and plus four centimeters. The increase in length could be the result of the modified front end, which should help to reduce the drag coefficient from cW 0.23 to 0.22.

Turn signal lever instead of buttons again

In the interior, what the Tesla community is predicting is largely, but not completely, happening: Hallelujah, there's a turn signal lever! However, the steering column lever for autopilot and gear selection has been omitted. P, N, D and R are selected by swiping the edge of the central display.

Without having driven a meter in the Model Y Juniper, it can be assumed that the suspension will be significantly improved, similar to the Model 3 Highland. The set-up was one of the weaknesses of the original Model Y; it tended to rumble and the noise was insufficiently insulated. A leap in comfort is to be hoped for here with Juniper.

Electrically folding rear seat bench

As in the Model 3, the seats are heated and ventilated. In addition, the rear seats can be folded down electrically. Nobody needs it, but it will certainly be celebrated. Plenty of space has always been a selling point for the Model Y, which offers more space than many of its competitors with its frunk and fat recess behind the rear axle. Volkswagen, for example, has still not got around to giving the VW ID.4 (test) a compartment under the front hood, which pleases the accessories trade. And the Xpeng G6 (test) and Toyota bZ4X (test) didn't even have enough space for a glove compartment. The Model Y is and remains particularly variable.

Progress with the drivetrain unclear

It is unclear what fine-tuning has been done to the drivetrain. Many customers are waiting for a traction battery with 90 to 100 kWh energy content. This has neither been confirmed nor denied, and due to the distortions caused by the CLTC measurement cycle, it is also not possible to tell from the Chinese data.

The maximum charging power stated in China of up to 170 kW for the rear-wheel drive version and up to 250 kW with all-wheel drive is no indication of the switch from 400 to 800 volts. Rather, everything seems to be the same, which is not necessarily a mistake, at least in the case of the basic version: No electric car with 400-volt technology charges so quickly. In the practical test in winter, we were able to determine 20  minutes for the charging stroke from ten to 80  percent. That is the benchmark. The introduction of the 48-volt instead of the 12-volt on-board electrical system is also not foreseeable. Tesla had announced this and it would lead to a streamlining of the wiring in the vehicle. So far, only the Tesla Cybertruck has a 48-volt system.

FSD, at some point?

European buyers would also like to finally be able to benefit from Supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD). It is an open secret that a test fleet has long been on our roads. FSD is also important to bring Tesla back to the forefront of driving automation. What is currently offered under the Autopilot label is no longer up to date compared to the competition.

(mki)