Tesla mounts a plastic brake cover-up

US electric-car specialist Tesla is copping flak for downsizing the rear brakes on its Mannequin Y Efficiency SUV – after which hiding the change.

The Italian-made Brembo rear brakes initially fitted to the automotive – matching the Brembo entrance brakes, which proceed unchanged – had been changed final August with cheaper and smaller Mando brakes from South Korea, a transfer which has now triggered complaints about doubtlessly weaker braking efficiency.

The brand new rear brakes have smaller discs and calipers – as fitted to the Mannequin Y Lengthy Vary – however the change is disguised by a clip-on crimson plastic cowl which is an identical color to Brembo’s signature crimson and formed just like the four-piston calipers initially fitted to the Efficiency mannequin.

“In some unspecified time in the future Tesla determined to place caliper covers on the Efficiency Y. What does that imply?” impartial Tesla efficiency elements provider and velocity store, ZEVcentric from California within the US, wrote on Twitter.

“It’s a smaller caliper and a smaller rotor which is identical on LR (Lengthy Vary). So now you’re simply paying for a similar brakes, simply crimson.

“In Tesla style it’s an effort to save lots of prices extra doubtless,” ZEVcentric stated on the social media platform.

Regardless of the brake change taking place final August, the Australian Tesla configurator nonetheless lists ‘Efficiency Brakes’ as one of many options on the top-line Mannequin Y, along with ‘lowered suspension’ and ’21-inch Überturbine wheels’.

In line with EV Database, the Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency produces as much as 393kW and 660Nm from its twin electrical motors, though Tesla doesn’t present official specs.

Tesla claims the Mannequin Y Efficiency can speed up from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds earlier than reaching a high velocity of 250km/h.

Drive sought remark from Tesla Australia concerning the brake change however it’s firm coverage to not reply to media requests for statements or for clarifications.