“You’ve got to thump it:” First drive in a Model Y Performance EV

“Thump it. No, you’ve got to thump it.” Jan, the proud new owner of a Tesla Model Y Performance EV is trying to tell me how to get the most out of the exhilarating acceleration of his brand new car.

The Model Y Performance has only just made it to Australian shores. Even the official media road tests have not been held, but by chance a good friend has just taken delivery of what he thinks is the first of its type in the Byron Bay area.

We’ve come to a stop on a local road, thankfully newly resurfaced and which offers a long straight line, no bush from which  wildlife can leap and very little traffic. And I’m trying to experience the 3.7 seconds it is supposed to take to get from 0 to 100kms. Well, at least to the 80kmh speed limit. When I finally do manage to “thump” it, I’m left in no doubt about the specs.

My family already owns a Model 3 SR+, and a recently acquired Model Y RWD. In my opinion, our Model 3, one of the Fremont originals with lithium ion batteries, chrome features and 0-100km/h in five seconds, is pretty special.

The Model Y RWD, on the other hand, is comparatively dull. A nice high ride, plenty of space, great for picnics and drinks in the boot, but relatively sluggish at 6.9 seconds. Not that that really matters in day to day driving.

For Jan, however, owning a Tesla is about having fun. He and his wife already own a Model 3 Performance and now they have a second Tesla. And not only does the Model Y move quickly, it has enough space to carry his 9’4″ long board inside the car.

The difference between the Model Y RWD and the Performance version is instantly obvious. The acceleration for a start, but also the handling and the ride – Byron Bay has bumpy roads and is notorious for its pot-holes, but they are barely felt in the Model Y Performance. It’s quiet too, and the handling through corners is as good as you will find.

Jan says he has been able to buy the Tesla EVs by cashing in some of the Tesla stock he bought years ago, in the early days when the company was still in danger of collapse under the weight of its massive ambition, and being the most short-sold stock on the market.

“I’m really connected to this whole mission and … I think it has to be fun as well,” he says, explaining why he had gone for the Performance models, which cost around $30,000 more than the plain RWD.

“It can’t just always be only, as Elon Musk says, solving problems. We made a bet on something that will make a better future for the kids, and it was the right bet. It (the stock) didn’t do anything for years, and then it went crazy. Now we’re able to buy some of the cars. It’s fantastic.”

The “thump” that Jan wanted me to make on the accelerator is really that. You can press your foot down firmly, but it doesn’t get the “jump” that basically launches the car into the future. But if you do get the opportunity to give it a “thump”, please do it in a safe area.

The handling, however, is vastly superior to the RWD version, because Tesla has worked harder on the suspension, and lowered it, the Performance version has bigger tyres, 21″ versus 19″.

It holds the corners beautifully, but as mentioned before it does come at a cost – around $105,000 driveway versus $72,000 for the RWD. On that score, it competes with the Kia EV6 GT, around the same price and the same pretensions for top performance.

As for me, I’m not sure whether I want to “thump it”, or just apply solid pressure with the foot when needed. I’m included to think I will be more of a pusher than a thumper, it’s still a good enough reaction for me. We will have a more detailed assessment after we get to drive one of the official media review cars later this month.