Key Takeaways
1. Tesla’s updated Octovalve SuperManifold heat pump improves cooling capacity but will not be available in all Model Y units immediately.
2. The new “hydraulic-by-wire” braking system features dual master cylinders, enhancing braking efficiency and energy recovery during driving.
3. The brake-by-wire system allows for better control and energy recuperation, with a hydraulic backup for safety.
4. Tesla claims the new braking system and smaller brake calipers contribute to increased efficiency, with a 5% improvement in range per charge for the Model Y Juniper.
5. The braking system design is innovative, resembling Mercedes’ one-box brake system, which also optimizes energy recovery and maintains consistent brake feel.
Tesla has launched an updated version of its Octovalve SuperManifold heat pump as part of the new 2026 Model Y Juniper refresh, which is now being delivered to customers. However, not all vehicles will have this upgrade immediately.
Enhanced Cooling Capacity
Tesla’s lead engineer, Lars Moravy, shared that a new LCCR filter system has been added to boost the cooling ability of the heat pump. Also, the SuperManifold heat exchange unit has been enhanced to a more efficient v2 version.
Notably, the SuperManifold v2 will not be included in every new Model Y unit. Whether it is present in the first batches will depend primarily on the factory it ships from. Lars mentioned in a chat with Sandy Munro, known as the Teardown Titan, that it may take a year before all buyers of the Model Y Juniper can be sure they’re receiving all the heat pump enhancements.
New Braking System Features
In addition to the heat pump upgrades, Tesla has introduced a “hydraulic-by-wire” braking system in the Juniper refresh. This system now has one master cylinder controlled by the driver and another solely managed by Tesla’s self-driving computer.
This configuration allows the brake pedal to remain steady while using Autopilot or FSD, and enables more efficient energy recuperation, even when the driver is manually applying the brake, based on the amount of force used.
On one side, the brake-by-wire system, which employs electric motor actuators on the booster side, offers a more seamless braking experience and enhances energy recovery. However, Lars pointed out that the hydraulic motion can still function as a backup for added safety when necessary.
Efficiency Gains and Competitors
The electric motor actuation also provides Tesla the ability to retract the brake pads slightly further than would typically be possible with just hydraulic braking, which reduces friction and leads to further efficiency improvements.
Tesla claims that this hydraulic-by-wire system, along with the smaller brake calipers, is a significant factor in the Model Y Juniper’s enhanced efficiency. Lars noted that no other car manufacturer has implemented by-wire brakes with such a level of decoupling, but it closely resembles the one-box braking system that Mercedes unveiled with its new CLA electric sedan, which is priced to rival the Tesla Model 3.
The all-electric CLA boasts a new one-box brake system that integrates previously separate components, such as the brake booster and master brake cylinder, into a compact unit. This system optimizes energy recovery during braking, thereby extending range. The by-wire design ensures a consistent and clear brake pedal feel for the driver, regardless of whether the braking involves recuperation or traditional friction methods. Furthermore, the new system adheres to the brand’s rigorous safety standards, automatically switching to hydraulic backup in case of a malfunction, ensuring safe braking at all times.
Despite the introduction of the new brakes and other efficiency enhancements, the Model Y Juniper refresh offers around a 5% increase in range per charge compared to the same battery used in its predecessor.
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