Tesla Midnight Cherry Red: What's behind the special color from Grünheide?

Tesla's state-of-the-art paint shop is located in the Gigafactory Berlin, producing not only Quicksilver but also the controversial Tesla Midnight Cherry Red. This multi-layered paint expands Tesla's range of sophisticated, exceptional finishes, but also comes at a significantly higher price.

How much exactly, and what the color ultimately means, can be read in this article.

Tesla Midnight Cherry Red: What makes the color special?

As early as 2022, Elon Musk announced new paint options, including a newly developed shade of red. However, it wasn't until October 2022 that Midnight Cherry Red was unveiled in a video and became available for order. The first vehicles painted in the new color weren't actually presented and delivered until May 2023.

Tesla Model Y Midnight Cherry Red

Midnight Cherry Red is currently developed and produced exclusively at the Gigafactory Grünheide near Berlin. This is also noted in the Tesla configurator, along with the information that the color is only available in Europe and the Middle East. The production location is likely also the reason why the red shade is currently only available for the Model Y – other models are not produced in Grünheide.

Whether the other models will be available in cherry red at a later date is uncertain. Back in March 2023, Tesla introduced another shade of red called "Ultra Red" for the Model S and Model X, which is now also available for order on the facelifted Model 3 ("Highland"). But back to Midnight Cherry Red.

In the Gigafactory Grünheide is home to Tesla's newest and most capable paint shop, which is said to be able to apply up to 13 layers of paint to a vehicle. Whether Midnight Cherry Red actually has that many layers is a matter of debate – there is no definitive official statement. What is certain, however, is that the color is a multi-layer paint and complex to produce.

Midnight Cherry Red Tesla: More Depth

According to Tesla, the many layers of paint are intended to give the cherry red a "dramatic depth". Furthermore, the color is designed to look different depending on the viewing angle and lighting conditions – the spectrum ranges from an almost dark violet-black tone to a vibrant red.

For example, if a Model Y painted in Midnight Cherry Red is parked in partial shade, different parts of the vehicle may look completely different.

There aren't many vehicles with this kind of paint job yet. A Model Y painted in this way definitely stands out. Furthermore, the coolness factor of a car that looks different is generally undeniable, even if we'll see later that not everyone is thrilled with the color.

Cherry red Tesla: How much does the paint cost?

Tesla is willing to pay for the effort it puts into the multi-layered effect paint. also pay. Currently, the red Model Y paint job costs €2,600 Surcharge. At launch, however, the color was even more expensive; back then, Tesla charged its customers €3,200 for Midnight Cherry Red.

For comparison: The previously available color "Red Multicoat," which has been replaced by the new Cherry Red, cost €2,000. The aforementioned "Ultra Red" is also available for the same price on the Model 3, while the alternative red shade is even free for the Model S and Model X. Midnight Cherry Red is therefore definitely one of the more expensive options among Tesla's paint choices.

Customer reactions

As so often before, Tesla has managed to create a small hype around the new paint option even before the presentation of the first vehicles.All the more sobering, then, was the sight of the cherry-red premiere cars for some, but not all.

While it was undeniable that the color appeared different depending on the viewing angle, many fans and customers found the paintwork to be very dark and more violet than red. Brown and almost black shades were also reportedly present.

As it quickly became apparent, this was because the first pictures and videos were taken indoors or in shady spots. However, when the Model Y is in direct sunlight, it actually shines a rich red.

Tesla has therefore fully delivered on its promise that the color would change depending on the viewing angle and lighting. However, the darker shades that become visible without direct sunlight are not to everyone's liking. The optics are... But it's always subjective anyway, isn't it?

Tesla Midnight Cherry Red repairable?

A major concern for many (potential) customers, besides the appearance, is the complexity of the paint. The fear is that paint damage is irreparable, as no external workshop or paint shop can faithfully replicate the multi-layered paint. This concern even deters many from purchasing the paint altogether.

However, this fear is not entirely justified. For example, the Stegmann Paint Shop on YouTube, she shows how she can recreate the Tesla color with the color code PR00 from three layers of paint without visible differences and thus paint an entire front bumper.

Despite the fact that, among other things, the rare and expensive paint "Amethyst Dream" is used, the paintwork is not significantly more expensive than three-layer paints from other manufacturers – at least that's what Stegmann believes.

One thing is certain: Midnight Cherry Red is not a simple, standard paint finish; otherwise, Tesla wouldn't produce it exclusively in Grünheide. But anyone who likes the color shouldn't let concerns about repairability deter them.

The longer the paint has been on the market, and that's already nine months, the greater the likelihood that workshops will be able to master the mixture – it has already been shown that it's possible.

You can find the other Tesla paint colors, and soon also the Midnight Cherry Red, at Teslabs today. Paint pens For repairing small scratches yourself.

Multifaceted Midnight Cherry Red: Conclusion

The new cherry red paint finish for the Model Y is truly multi-layered. With it, Tesla showcases its growing expertise in vehicle painting, which hasn't always been perfect in the past. Read on to find out how the Paint quality at Tesla developed.

Even though not everyone is enthusiastic about the color, and the red component requires a lot of light to truly show, Midnight Cherry Red fascinates with its constantly shifting hues. The paint is definitely not commonplace and makes a Model Y stand out from the crowd of cars on the road.

Whether that's worth €2,600 is ultimately a decision each buyer must make for themselves. In any case, the paintwork isn't irreparable should an unwanted scratch occur.

What do you think of Midnight Cherry Red? Let us know your opinion in the comments!