Australian car tastes are changing. High fuel prices and government incentives saw over 33 thousand EVS sold in Australia last year. California-based Tesla rules the market, with the Model 3 outpacing staples like the Toyota Camry, and even better results this year for the Model Y. The SUV currently takes second place in overall sales figures, edging past some popular ute favourites.
Aggressive pricing is key to Tesla’s success. The Model Y undercuts its main rivals, the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 by a few thousand dollars, while still being generously kitted out. The entry-level RWD car gets heaps of head and legroom for a family of 5, a huge glass roof, and 875 litres of loading space in the flat boot (and another 117 litres under the bonnet). Add all the safety tech that you’d expect at this price point, the respectable 445 km of WLPT range, a host of functionality from the 15-inch centre touchscreen, and niceties like heated front and rear synthetic leather seats and 13 speakers for aural bliss, and you can see why the car is selling in spades.
The few other standard extras should tick most boxes for the majority of buyers. If you want more you can go with the optional packs, like the Basic ($5100) and Enhanced ($10100) Autopilot packs to add things like Autopark and Summon capability and Autosteer and Lane Change on highways. Or opt for the AWD or Performance Y models if cash isn’t an issue. But most people can use the savings and instead opt for a wide range of parts for Tesla models to already improve what the base car does so well – range, performance and day-to-day drivability.
Extend Range with Tesla Body Parts
Range climbs with the AWD model if you shell out $13000 more, and acceleration and top speeds improve substantially in the Model Y Performance, albeit at a $16000 premium over the AWD model. The base Model Y does the standing sprint in 6.9 seconds and tops out at 217 km/h. If you want more range and better performance, then you can add a few inexpensive body parts to the already aero shape and the 0.23 drag coefficient, arguably the best of any SUV currently sold Down Under.
Go with front splitters to disperse oncoming air and glue the car to the road. Drivers get more downforce, with increased grip and road-holding through the tyres, improved steering feel (infamously vague in all EVs) and better cornering and high-speed stability. What’s more, you’ll add a few kilometres to the claimed WLTP range, do faster bouts of overtaking on highways without having guilt trips and have a bit of fun in the process. Pair front splitters with lower side skirts for better turning stability and add a rear spoiler to complete the aero advantage. Spoilers glue the rear wheels to the road with increased downforce and in the RWD model, get more power down through the tyres.
Kits in ABS plastic are extremely inexpensive for what they offer and can mimic the look of more high-end carbon fibre. The latter material does come as a much costlier alternative but warrants more strength, lower weight and higher rigidity.
Improve Looks with Aftermarket Wheels
The base RWD Model Y and Long Range AWD come with silver/black 19″ Gemini wheels. Black, powder-coated 20″ Induction wheels with an aero benefit are a $2400 factory option and crisper 21″ Uberturbine wheels are standard on the Performance model. But there are more wheel options in the aftermarket, and you don’t have to settle with boring colour schemes or higher OEM prices.
Aftermarket wheels are Tesla parts most owners go for when they want improved looks. Here there are rims that mimic the looks of the Model S and Model X, or the Uberturbine rims without the typical costs. And there are aftermarket options that replicate the look of special edition wheels (like the Space X editions) or the Zero-G wheels in the Track Package. Owners can choose between turbine, and single or double-spoked varieties in sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches.
Bear in mind that flow-formed wheels are cheaper, but will pick up dents easier when potholed or curbed. Fully-forged wheels sell for much more but are lighter and stronger, so well worth the extra. Lastly, wheels come in varying colours, from matte or gloss black, grey, silver, bronze and if you’re feeling playful, different tones of red.
Clean Energy
Other Telsa accessories keep your investment clean. Look for durable yet flexible XPE floor mats (in RHD variants) if you have trouble with spills, stains, dirt and mud. These are easy to wash and vacuum and benefit from a non-slip texture surface that’s easy on the feet. Similar parts for Tesla include boot liners, a good option if you’ve got pets or kids, or hauling things like prams, camping gear and sporting goods. These too are made of durable XPE plastic, are easy to clean and are textured so no items will be jumping around.
If you live in rural Australia, or like the odd road trip, think of getting a bespoke set of mud flaps. They’re made of durable ABS plastic, hold their own against mud, rain, snow and road debris, and won’t fade in the hot Aussie sun. They do a great job at keeping the bodywork spotless and preventing damage to steering and suspension components. Go for variants that are simple to install, without the need for drilling. Supplied hardware includes screws that attach the mud flaps to pre-drilled holes in the car.
