Meet the first modified Tesla Model Y. Sure, it’s kinda just a render for now. But Unplugged Performance has form—as we discovered in 2018—so you can expect something like this to appear very, very soon.
“My take on it is that we expect the Model Y to share all of the performance advantages of the Model 3 Performance,” Unplugged founder Ben Schaffer told Top Gear. “As a result, our tuning program for the Model Y will include many of our popular upgrades for the Model 3 which makes it so capable on the racetrack.
“Back in March, we set a lap record on street tires of 1:58.5 at Buttonwillow Raceway.” Quicker than a 997-generation Porsche 911 GT2, since you ask. “Our belief is that the Model Y can also be tuned to nearly the same outcome on track, and with even more daily comfort and utility.”
The people at Unplugged are good pals with Tesla and their base is on the same LA complex. So, Schaffer’s team doesn’t touch the batteries or motors of Tesla products—not wishing to invalidate warranties or ruin relationships—instead, focusing on brakes, suspension, and styling.
Model Y modifications will thus comprise a new, more aerodynamic bodykit, six-piston carbon-ceramic brakes, adjustable coilover suspension, tougher anti-roll bars, and some lightweight forged wheels up to 21 inches in diameter. Wager on around $20,000 (roughly P1.02 million) to add a bunch of good stuff to your plug-in SUV.
“Our design language will never lose sight of the character of the car Tesla has engineered; however, we absolutely will highlight the extreme performance of the car in a new way that is easy to see,” added Schaffer. “I think a Model Y capable of running with Porsche 911 Turbos on track—and which looks like this—will get some attention.”
Do you agree?
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
