There’s no denying that the Tesla Model Y is one of the most popular electric crossovers currently for sale. However, when potential EV owners boot up Tesla’s site, they’re met with only a handful of color and wheel options to distinguish their new purchase from the thousands of others. As a result, most Tesla’s tend to look nearly identical, sporting essentially the same color combos.
To give EV owners some much-needed customization options, STARTECH has developed an extensive parts catalog for both the Model 3 and Model Y. While parts for the electric sedan are currently available for sale, its crossover sibling has to wait until later this Summer. We recently got a chance to visit STARTECH to check out the first Model Y in the U.S and even take it for a drive.
Who Is STARTECH?
If the name STARTECH doesn’t immediately ring any bells, you’re not alone. However, its parent company, BRABUS, has a long-standing history of modifying vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. While STARTECH also focuses on developing OEM-quality parts for cars from Aston Martin, Range Rover, Maserati, and Land Rover, they’ve decided to venture into the EV world via Tesla.
Like BRABUS, STARTECH aims to use parts as close to OEM quality as possible. This means retaining OEM mounting points and developing plug-and-play electronics that don’t hamper the car’s original capabilities.
The Parts
The Tesla Model Y by STARTECH we got a chance to check out is the first in the U.S. and features most of the parts catalog. Upfront, this means a new redesigned front bumper with optional fog lights. While the rear bumper remains unchanged, STARTECH offers a new rear diffuser that gives the Model Y a more aggressive look. STARTECH offers two spoiler choices for the rear end on the aero front, one mounted on the roof and another on the rear hatch.
To give the Model Y a lower stance, STARTECH offers lowering springs that drop the EV’s ride height by 40mm. Buyers can choose between a set of 20 or 22-in wheels. The ones pictured above are the 22-in option, wrapped in 265/30 and 285/30 tires.
Inside, the Tesla Model Y by STARTECH gets some significant upgrades. For starters, new seat covers featuring vegan leather finished in the color cognac radically change the interior aesthetic. Buyers can option “E-Circuit” stitching for a bit of added flare.
In front of the driver, you’ll notice a flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara. The big story inside, however, is the digital instrument cluster. It’s a plug-and-play system that allows the driver to focus on looking forward instead of turning their head to look at the EV’s central screen.
The Drive
Out on the road, the Tesla Model Y by STARTECH doesn’t drive differently from stock for the better. One usual concern with lowering a vehicle, especially one as heavy as the Model Y, is the potential added stiffness. However, since the STARTECH lowering springs only drop the EV slightly, it retains its on-road comfort. We got a chance to drive it through typical city streets with no complaints on that front.
Our drive also revealed that this Tesla Model Y by STARTECH uses a base model version of the EV as its base. As a result, there’s no need to get the highest-performing version to utilize these parts. They fit any trim level. The same goes for the smaller Model 3.
Pricing
On the pricing front, there’s a lot to discuss with this Tesla Model Y by STARTECH, namely because it features most of the parts catalog. However, owners can choose which parts they want as they are all sold separately. Totaling everything up, the vehicle shown above has $21,200 in parts. This includes notable items such as the front bumper ($2,195), rear diffuser ($1,495), sport steering wheel ($1,895), and the embroidered seat covers ($3,995.)
As of writing, these parts for the Tesla Model Y are only available for pre-order. According to STARTECH, they will arrive sometime later this summer with parts for the Model 3 currently available for purchase.
