On Tuesday of this week was the big “Delivery Day” at the Tesla factory in Grünheide near Berlin: The first German-made Model Y Performance was designed by CEO Elon Musk handed over to those who ordered them, and even Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was there. We also received a Model Y at about the same time, and that was only about 35 kilometers from the new factory in the Delivery Center Brandenburg near Berlin. It comes as a replacement for the Tesla Model 3, which we recently sold for a remarkably high price. Because it is the Model Y Long Range variant, it was still produced in China.
27 minutes for complete Tesla change
We picked up the Model 3 from the Tesla delivery center in Berlin-Brandenburg about a year ago. It is located directly at the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport and is therefore easy to reach. We took the Ringbahn S45 from Berlin-Südkreuz station to Terminal 1-2 of BER in 45 minutes and then took a taxi directly to the Tesla door. The taxi ride itself cost 12.50 euros – including the airport surcharge of 1.50 euros.
During our visit, the place was mostly quiet. Only two other collectors were on site and were looked after by friendly employees. We stopped: Exactly 14 minutes passed from entering the center to leaving the car park in the new Model Y. At the so-called check-in, we first handed over our identity card and the permit. Both were copied, handed back, and then someone took the two key cards from the back area. With these in hand, we went to parking lot 80 on the second parking level, where another employee was waiting. He took the license plates we had brought with us, put them in the holders that were already attached and asked if we wanted to take a look at the vehicle.
That’s what we wanted and walked around the Model Y, but we didn’t find any complaints. And the delivery was already over, we got in and drove off. By the way: The multi-storey car park didn’t seem particularly crowded during this visit. Unlike the last pickup, many parking bays were free and only a few white Model 3 and Model Y to see. After all, the mixture was much more colourful. Grey, red and black were clearly in the majority.
With the Model Y, we wanted to set everything up just like we were used to with the Model 3. Here, too, we stopped the time: 9 minutes passed for the settings of the autopilot system, the dashcam, the start screen, the accounts for Netflix and Spotify, the steering, the WLAN, the mirrors and seats as well as the central locking. Clearing the car and attaching an automatic parking meter took another 4 minutes. All in all, that makes 27 minutes for a complete vehicle change, but of course only if you do not take into account the time required for the sale and the drive to the collection.
Model Y drives harder than Model 3
Already on the first few meters you notice in comparison to ours previous Model 3 Long Range, registered in March 2021, clear differences. On the one hand, the new vehicle is significantly quieter, on the other hand it is unmistakably harder. the second circumstance is likely to be significantly related to the larger wheel-tire combination. We drove 18-inch rims on the Model 3, and 19-inch rims are fitted as standard on the Model Y. You notice that, but you don’t experience any real comfort problems, since the suspension still compensates for annoying bumps. The chassis of the Model Y LR is definitely harder – with the Performance variant from Germany should improve Tesla after a first test to have.
The cockpit look and feel in the Model Y from China is identical to our earlier Model 3 of the same origin. The higher seating position and the significantly higher entry into the vehicle are different. We like that because you have a better overview and can get on and off more comfortably. Acceleration, on the other hand, is a little more leisurely. You actually notice the 0.6 seconds longer to 100 km/h, but they are still more than enough.
We decided to switch to the Tesla Model Y for one good reason: we need the bigger trunk. The difference is really enormous and is impressively recognizable by the fully opening tailgate. Unfortunately, there is no parcel shelf or other luggage compartment partition, as they already exist in the German Model Y Performance. We will monitor over the next few weeks whether we really need them and, if in doubt, look for a retrofit solution. In the next few days we have almost 2000 kilometers to cover with our new Tesla and will then be able to report on consumption and charging experiences.