Should You Choose Tesla’s $8,000 FSD or This Impressive Aero Kit?
- Boosts downforce and cuts drag.
- Available for individual purchase or as a full set.
- Total upgrade costs can match the FSD suite if you include wheels.
Recently unveiled in late August, the Tesla Model Y Performance has quickly become one of the fastest crossovers under $60,000, capable of zipping from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Its performance features are sleek, highlighted by larger wheels and a carbon fiber spoiler without being over-the-top.
However, its looks don’t quite match its speed, and that’s where the latest aerodynamic kit from Unplugged Performance comes into play for the top-end Tesla Model Y. Established in 2013 and situated in California, Unplugged Performance has previously rolled out several performance enhancements for various Tesla models, and now it’s the Model Y’s turn for a boost.
Enhanced Downforce with Less Drag
Check out the gallery with three images from the original article.
Unplugged Performance asserts that their aero enhancements deliver a 2.4% decrease in drag, coupled with greater downforce. This means improved grip and higher stability on the highway.
The Aero Kit for Model Y Performance is composed of five essential parts that can be bought alone or as a bundled kit:
- Front lip splitter
- Front aero canards
- High-efficiency rear fins
- Rear diffuser extension
- High-efficiency trunk spoiler
These features not only amp up the styling of the Model Y Performance but provide practical benefits too. For instance, the front aero canards help manage air flow around the bumper corners, enhancing turn-in responsiveness and side stability. Meanwhile, the trunk spoiler aids in stabilizing the rear of the vehicle at greater speeds.
The components come in a polished gloss black and meet OEM finish standards. According to the tuner, buyers can expect better real-world efficiency thanks to advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling; however, they haven’t claimed to increase the range beyond the standard model’s 306 miles. Additionally, the car reportedly remains more stable in crosswinds.
Pricing for the Kit
The full aero kit is priced at $2,195 on their site. If you want to dress up your Tesla with either satin or gloss mirror covers, the total goes up to $2,595. Individual components are available starting at $295 for the chic rear fins and peaking at $475 for the front splitter.
The wheels you see don’t come with the aero kit. They’re unique forged, Y-spoke designs that cost anywhere from $3,595 to $5,595 for the Model Y. You can choose from sizes varying between 18 and 21 inches, with several different finishes available. Unplugged has an excellent selection of wheel upgrades tailored for all Teslas, boasting at least 17 distinct designs just for the Model Y.
If you opt for both the finest wheels and the complete aero kit, you’ll be looking at around $8,190. But here’s a tempting alternative.
FSD or Aero Kit? The $8K Dilemma
The cost of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system sits at $8,000, coincidentally the same as Unplugged Performance’s complete aero kit when paired with wheels. Tesla’s Level 2 driving assistance is widely renowned; it’s capable of handling commute trips with minimal input from the driver.
Version 14.1 of the FSD started rolling out this week, bringing along a slew of enhancements and new features.
Given the substantial perks of having this self-driving capability, it’s likely that most buyers would choose the FSD option over an aero kit and wheels that cost the same. But if you get both, you’ll experience one of the fastest, tech-savvy EVs available that also looks the part!
