Tesla Model Y Australian buyers get less bang for their buck.
Tesla Model Y owner Donnie Yang posted on Owners of Tesla Australia The Facebook group, having discovered the four-piston Brembo front brake calipers on its new EV, were absent, with Hitachi two-piston “sliding” units in their place.
Although only the flagship Model Y Performance is equipped with bright red Brembo calipers, the base rear-wheel drive (RWD) and Long Range variants are equipped with identical, unpainted units.
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It is not known when the switch from Brembo to Hitachi brakes was made, although Tesla already lists service manuals for both front calipers on its website.
The automaker still lists previous service manuals for “non-production” Y models that clearly show Brembo front brakes.
While some commenters on his post dismissed Mr. Yang’s concerns about downsizing, arguing that the regenerative braking system negates the need for performance Brembo brakes, others pointed out that the larger calipers are better able to handle repeated, difficult suspensions.
There appears to be no change in the diameter of the front brake rotors on the Model Y, which measure 355mm.
It’s also not the first time Tesla has quietly made changes to its Model Y’s braking package.
In January 2023, owners of new Model Y Performance variants found that the Brembo four-piston rear calipers had been replaced with smaller Mando calipers, which were covered with a red cover to appear unchanged.
In contrast, Volkswagen’s ID family of EVs use rear drum brakes, due to the regenerative braking assistance from their electric motors and lower maintenance costs.
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