Photo: JacklJack via Reddit
Tesla and Elon Musk have strongly denied that a revamped Model Y would launch this year, as previous rumors indicated. However, someone snapped a picture of a covered Tesla Model Y that might just offer the first look at the refreshed model. How far could the new Model Y be, and what to expect are two things that are now driving people crazy.
After Tesla launched the re-engineered Model 3, many thought the Highland treatment would be quickly applied to the Model Y, which shares many details with the electric sedan. However, this didn't happen, despite many rumors claiming the refreshed Model Y would be just around the corner. Chinese blogs wrote that an upgraded Model Y would start production at Giga Shanghai as early as this summer, with European and US factories following shortly.
However, Tesla and its outspoken CEO Elon Musk have strongly denied that we'll see an updated Model Y soon. Musk was very direct, writing on X that "no Model Y refresh is coming out this year." However, for many, this was a confirmation that the Juniper update would arrive in January 2025 rather than, say, September. Their belief is even stronger now that someone has shared the photograph of a covered Tesla Model Y, which could very well be the first sighting of the redesigned crossover.
The picture snapped around the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California, features a Tesla Model Y with almost air-tight black claddings that cover the front and rear. This is not different from what the first prototypes of the refreshed Model 3 wore in December 2022 when they were first spotted. Let's not forget that those prototypes did not feature all the design modifications of the current production model, so this might not offer the desired clarification on what changes Tesla will make to the Model Y.
Although the car was sitting on the side of the road with the driver's window open, the amateur spy photographer was too shy to get nearer and snap a shot at the cabin. This could've made it clear whether Tesla is testing a stalkless Model Y, considering how many, especially in Europe, were unhappy with this approach.
When the picture surfaced on Reddit, Elon Musk was quick to pour cold water on people's hopes again. He almost begged them to stop hinting that there is a new Model Y. Musk is afraid that these rumors damage the current model's sales due to the Osborne effect. Judging by past experience, Musk is certainly right. It took Tesla almost a year from the first prototype sighting until the production of Model 3 was launched in Europe and Asia.
A similar interval projects the refreshed Model Y launch in April 2025 unless Tesla speeds up development. After all, Model Y should benefit from the work done on Model 3 and not start from a clean sheet. If that's the case, we should see an official announcement in the first quarter of 2025 or during the earnings call at the end of April at the latest.
However, previous rumors indicated that Tesla might be working on more radical changes. These include a "hybrid" Gen 2 + Gen 3 architecture, as Tesla announced during the Q1 earnings call. This allows Tesla to implement new technologies while building the Model Y on the current production lines. However, this will also require more work and testing, meaning the refreshed Model Y might arrive later than expected.
However, Tesla and its outspoken CEO Elon Musk have strongly denied that we'll see an updated Model Y soon. Musk was very direct, writing on X that "no Model Y refresh is coming out this year." However, for many, this was a confirmation that the Juniper update would arrive in January 2025 rather than, say, September. Their belief is even stronger now that someone has shared the photograph of a covered Tesla Model Y, which could very well be the first sighting of the redesigned crossover.
The picture snapped around the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California, features a Tesla Model Y with almost air-tight black claddings that cover the front and rear. This is not different from what the first prototypes of the refreshed Model 3 wore in December 2022 when they were first spotted. Let's not forget that those prototypes did not feature all the design modifications of the current production model, so this might not offer the desired clarification on what changes Tesla will make to the Model Y.
Although the car was sitting on the side of the road with the driver's window open, the amateur spy photographer was too shy to get nearer and snap a shot at the cabin. This could've made it clear whether Tesla is testing a stalkless Model Y, considering how many, especially in Europe, were unhappy with this approach.
When the picture surfaced on Reddit, Elon Musk was quick to pour cold water on people's hopes again. He almost begged them to stop hinting that there is a new Model Y. Musk is afraid that these rumors damage the current model's sales due to the Osborne effect. Judging by past experience, Musk is certainly right. It took Tesla almost a year from the first prototype sighting until the production of Model 3 was launched in Europe and Asia.
A similar interval projects the refreshed Model Y launch in April 2025 unless Tesla speeds up development. After all, Model Y should benefit from the work done on Model 3 and not start from a clean sheet. If that's the case, we should see an official announcement in the first quarter of 2025 or during the earnings call at the end of April at the latest.
However, previous rumors indicated that Tesla might be working on more radical changes. These include a "hybrid" Gen 2 + Gen 3 architecture, as Tesla announced during the Q1 earnings call. This allows Tesla to implement new technologies while building the Model Y on the current production lines. However, this will also require more work and testing, meaning the refreshed Model Y might arrive later than expected.
@elonmusk has confirmed our above sentiment about no new Model Y this year, in a response to @SawyerMerritt's recent subscriber-only post (subscribe to them!) pic.twitter.com/FcHJPQzOdQ
— Teslascope (@teslascope) July 7, 2024
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