Tale of two motors: Comparing Model Y Standard and Performance driving efficiency

Last week Rob Dean from Tesla Owners Western Australia conducted a test on two identical Model Y Performance vehicles using different wheels to find out how much wheel type affects driving efficiency. The Driven has had a great response to the story, the results may surprise you.

This week Rob conducted a second test this time keeping the wheels constant and comparing the driving efficiency of a Model Y Performance and Model Y Standard Range.

After seeing the results from test number 1, How much do 19 inch tyres and wheels improve the performance of a Tesla Model Y, it was decided to do a second 272 km test (along the same route) between the same Model Y Performance with 19 inch Gemini wheels and tyres and a Standard Model Y with exactly the same wheel and tyre set-up.

The clear difference between these two vehicles is their drive units. The Performance Y has dual motors with a maximum of 393kW power, whereas the Standard Y has a single motor producing a maximum 194kW.

The Performance Y is 88kg heavier than its standard range stable-mate due to a combination of different-sized battery packs (and chemistry difference) and the extra weight of its additional motor.

The operating parameters of the two cars were identical with tyre pressures set to 42 psi cold, air conditioners set to 22°C and the same number of occupants in each car. You can read in the initial test all the steps taken to obtain an untainted result.

Test start 9.05 am, completion 12.42 pm. Weather, clear skies temp 13 – 20°C. Moderate wind from the same direction for the whole test which reflects in the result for Legs 2 & 3.

Please note the Performance Y once again recorded a total trip of 271 km over a 272 km journey, the other two test cars both recorded 272 km.

Although the Performance Y is heavier than the Standard Y and also has a second drive unit which slightly adds to mechanical friction losses, these disadvantages are likely compensated for by it being about 14 mm closer to the ground.

Since reduced ground clearance enhances efficiency at higher speeds, a test in stop/start city conditions would likely slightly favour the Standard Model Y.

Rob Dean is the Chair of the Tesla Owners Club Western Australia (TOCWA)