Tesla recently announced a refreshed Model Y Performance variant—but if you’re in the U.S., you know we don’t have access to it just yet. That didn’t stop us from trying to recreate the look ourselves. With some creative DIY work, we set out to give our Model Y Juniper a sportier, performance-inspired appearance.
What’s Different About the New Model Y Performance?
At its core, the new Performance model shares almost everything with the Juniper Model Y. The real differences show up in two areas:
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Front bumper & trim
The new bumper design features a distinctive scoop and sharper body lines. There’s a unique trim piece that separates the headlights from the lower grille area, creating a more aggressive look. -
Rear bumper design
The Performance variant uses a unique design with an aerodynamic scoop. This subtle change makes the rear seem lower, adds depth, and makes it look more performance-oriented.
The interior is essentially the same, so the exterior styling cues are where we focused.
First Challenge: The Rear Bumper
We started with the back since it’s one of the most noticeable changes. Unfortunately, that didn’t go quite as planned.
We tried multiple variations of vinyl overlays to mimic the depth and scoop of the new bumper. From thick-to-thin cuts to wide-to-skinny transitions, nothing really looked right in person. On camera, some versions looked okay, but standing next to the car told a different story—it just looked cheap.
After experimenting with several prototypes, we decided the rear modification wasn’t worth releasing as a full product. Instead, we may offer a simple optional piece with our kit for those who want to try it out. But for now, we’re calling the rear a “no-go.”
Bigger Success: The Front Bumper
Where we saw more potential was up front. Using paint protection film (PPF) and some design tweaks, we created a faux trim piece to simulate the performance-style scoop.
We first tested with vinyl because it’s cheaper, but the tight curves and unnatural angles made installation frustrating. Switching to PPF was a game-changer. Since PPF can be installed wet, it gives you wiggle room to adjust placement and smooth out curves—something vinyl just doesn’t allow in that tight space.
Our design went through a few iterations:
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A too-thin strip that didn’t give enough presence.
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A wider variation that threw off the proportions.
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A balanced design that created a shadow line, making the bumper look more aggressive—very similar to the actual Performance trim.
The end result is subtle but effective. From the right angles, it creates that performance-inspired depth, giving the Model Y a sportier stance without requiring new body parts.
What’s Next for This DIY Kit?
We’re finalizing the Sport Mode Kit for the Model Y Juniper. It’ll include:
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Front bumper in both gloss black and satin black PPF.
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Optional rear accent piece for those who want to test the performance-style look.
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DIY-friendly installation with smaller squeegees and clear instructions.
And since this is about adding style, not necessarily functional aero, we’re making it fun and affordable for anyone to try.
Final Thoughts
The new Model Y Performance looks fantastic, but until it officially launches in the U.S., we wanted a way to capture that aggressive design. Our experiments showed the rear bumper is tough to replicate, but the front end can definitely be enhanced with a DIY kit.
We’ll be rolling this out soon, and as always, we’d love your feedback. Would you add a sport mode look to your Model Y?
