An otherworldly Italian Grand Tour with the new Tesla Model Y - Part 1
From Carrara’s marble incredible history to the Divine Comedy, this one-thousand kilometer journey on the Tesla Model Y highlighted the California’s Suv crossover excellent technologies and the spectacular artistic expressions from the Bel Paese.
Mysterious, ancient and rich in other worldly visions, our one thousand kilometers journey from Rome to the Alpi Apuane via the birthplace of Renaissance arts and locations from the Divine Comedy (possibly the greatest book in verses ever written), is a homage to human ingenuity and to the different artistic and technological innovations from past centuries and present times. The protagonist of this special electric Grand Tour (where electricity is a means to an end in both the travel and expressive realm) is the new Tesla Model Y Long Range dual motor, equipped with the 75kWh battery providing 535km of maximum range. In this case reality did not deviate much from the official number declared by the manufacturer but even more importantly than range itself, Elon Musk's capsular Suv crossover show cased that if supported by an adequate infrastructure and user friendly digital interactions, zero-emission mobility can be suitable also to long journeys.
Electric road travel
Just like in Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, electric powered road trips can present hellish or paradisiacal situations. Thanks to its energy efficient propulsion, well calibrated tuning and a network of dedicated superchargers capable of delivering up to 250kWh (we were therefore capable of adding about 200km of range in around ten minutes) Tesla models assure pinnacle EV driving experience. The unreal silence and prodigious accelerations are further added values but when evaluating the car from the perspective of long journeys, the watershed factor lies in the speed and ease of charging processes that on top of being uber fast, do not require codes, validations, apps or cards.
Model Y and Alpi Apuane; an Otherworldly Vision
The slanted light from the winter sun shines bright on the staggering Fontanone’s sculpted marble and granite; from here views of Rome are a true spectacle. The Model Y is well polished and freshly recharged in a domestic box (where you gain 15km per hour) but in order to reach Carrara without getting perilously closed to battery end, the Model Y recommends a short recharge stop in Grosseto. The first part of the route of about 200km towards Maremma flows with utmost well-being and serenity, thus allowing to familiarise with Tesla’s excellent digital ecosystem. Top notch videogames graphics and hilarious kill some time functions, make for a very unique on-board experience with the central screen being the viaticum for every type of selection (intensity of the windscreen wipers included). The 20 minutes connected to the supercharger, bring the range back to 90% and after refueling, the computer calculates that we will arrive in Carrara with still 30% of range left.
From the Tesla to the Defender
Tesla maps don’t miss a beat and the same goes for voice commands comprehension. This means knowing exactly when one will arrive at destination which in our case, was accompanied by a biblical flood. The Capitoline sun admired a few hours before, now seems from another planet because as we drive towards Colonnata, white sharp peaks from the exposed marble emerge from the thick low clouds with intense dramaturgy. In this area, mountain landscape are also dotted with disused industrial complexes and equipment, transporting the mind to Philip K. Dick's novels. As we get immersed in scenarios with great narrative power, the futuristic silhouette of the Model Y offers a singular aesthetic continuity with the surrounding environment. To reach the large quarries on high ground however, we must continue with a pure off-road vehicle like the legendary Land Rover Defender.
Carrara marble; A great Italian story
Extracted by Romans since 170 BC, Carrara marble is the most famous and valuable in the world. Particularly loved by sculptors – including Michelangelo who personally went to the quarries to choose the type of marble best suited to his works – the history of the material and its complex extraction and cutting process, must be discovered with a specialized guide such as Cave di Marmo Tours. Once on board their heroic Defender, we follow a steep and stony mule track rising along steep precipices; once in the heart of Cava Querciola, the center of the large square is more than a thousand meters above sea level and the smooth cut running vertical on one mountain side, reveals darker patterns resembling rivers. The color contrast with the cobalt-colored artificial lake and the grey shining parallelepipeds of grey, silvery and iridescent marbles is staggering as the marmo di Carrara is the result of unique form of double crystallization coming in more than 60 different shades of white.
Locanda de Banchieri
The visit to the Apuan Alps, is a great excuse to stay at Locanda de Banchieri (with restaurant part of Les Collectionneurs). Surrounded by a once upon a time countryside with views of the sea and hills, the intimate guesthouse with organic vegetable garden, farmyard animals and numerous eco-compatible practices, is located on the border between Tuscany and Liguria. Both room and restaurants, are managed with competence and passion by Giacomo Devoto. A skilled chef that by using contemporary technique and traditional recipes, provides guests with an intriguing and appetizing introduction Lunigiana’s hearty cuisine with products from Mar Tirreno, woods and mountains.
Matteo Morichini
My childhood memories are of arts, literature and visits of far away lands and now, I love writing about tourism, travel&motoring experiences as well as gastronomic cultures. Following the Degree in History & Politics and the Masters in International Relations at London School of Economics, I start my journalist career in 2004. Since then, I made it a point to visit all of the seven continents, while daily enhancing my passion and curiosity towards cuisine, charming hospitality and millenial traditions from the beautiful Italian territory
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