Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y are mostly seen as luxury commuter vehicles, and you wouldn't necessarily expect to see them rolling across fields and tackling difficult terrain, but aftermarket shop PU-LABO set out to turn the popular electric cars into capable off-roaders.
The Chinese wheel and suspension specialist has released a new purpose-built off-road conversion kit for Model Y/3 that endows these electric vehicles with go-anywhere capabilities.
Dubbed "Model Traveler," the new conversion kit is not just a lift kit but a full-fledged suspension package that comprises over 30 parts that will turn Tesla's mid-size SUV and small electric sedan into real electric off-roaders capable of rolling on gravel, mud, forest paths, dirt roads, and tracks.
Off-road vehicles are highly sought-after nowadays, but with a ground clearance of just 5.5 inches and 6.6 inches, respectively, in their stock form, the Model 3 and Y aren't exactly suitable for off-road adventures. However, the aftermarket shop knows that EVs are great candidates for off-roading thanks to the gobs of torque provided by their electric motors and advanced all-wheel-drive systems that make for a responsive, adaptable ride on rough terrain.
This is not the first suspension kit released for Tesla's EVs, but while other offerings only provide a slight lift of two inches at most, PU-LABO claims its kit provides the biggest lift setup on the market. Among the components of the Model Traveler kit, there is a set of adjustable coil-over shocks that can be tweaked to give the Model Y/3 EVs between 2.5 and 5 inches of additional ground clearance. This will allow for a maximum wheel travel of 8 inches, which is a significant improvement over the stock vehicles' wheel travel.
Moreover, the aftermarket specialist says its kit does more than just add ground clearance. It upgrades several other components that are expected to be affected by off-road driving. As such, the package includes two add-on subframes for the front and rear axles, a pair of rear toe-link arms, redesigned upper and lower control arms, as well as new spindle gussets. Adding to the vehicles' capability as off-road machines are a set of fender flares, steel bumpers, and bead-lock wheels.
Now, what about the added weight, you may ask? Well, the company says they used 7075 aviation-grade aluminum for technical hardware and chromoly steel tubing for the more solicited parts, thus making sure the weight increase is minimal. However, range might indeed be affected, as lifting a car rarely works in its aerodynamic favor and the heavy wheels and tires do cut some miles, but I'm sure off-roading enthusiasts won't mind trading some road miles for the excitement of the ride.
The Model Traveler kit is easy to install with a simple bolt-on-style setup, so no cutting or welding is necessary, and the company says they thoroughly tested it on thousands of miles under very diverse conditions, including mud, sand, and even jumps.
Available for order through the Chinese startup's website, the PU-LABO "Model Traveler" off-road suspension kit for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y is priced at an eyewatering $15,000. An early-bird promotion means interested Tesla owners can get it with a $3,000 discount.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News