A prototype of the Model Y, Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) that was heavily camouflaged, has popped up in a surprise appearance near the Tesla factory in Fremont, and predictably triggered speculations as to what the company would do next. This variant was spotted from a top-down view, but now we get a closer look at its design.
Tesla is keeping its cards close, covered in black wrappings and sporting minor design variations, hints that Tesla could be developing a renewed, perhaps cheaper version of its popular Model Y.
A Subtle But Strategic Redesign
People who had a glimpse of the prototype reported some minor yet distinct differences between the present Model Y and the new prototype. First, their front headlights seem to be another type, smaller and streamlined. Interestingly, a lightbar linking the headlights is lacking, which is a design feature that has been observed in newer iterations of the Model 3 and Cybertruck. It may be either a design departure or a cost-saving idea to ensure affordability.
The wheels are another eye-catching thing. The wheels are smaller than what one would expect on the latest Model Y versions, but they can be as small as 18 inches during this period. The wheels are still being tightly wrapped. It is a strange dimension in the case of Tesla, as normally, the company installs 19-inch or 20-inch wheels on Model Y. Assuming that this is verified, smaller wheels would help produce lower production costs, better range, and softer ride – possibly all of which would be attractive to buyers concerned about costs.
New Tesla Model under cover spotted near Fremont factory?! pic.twitter.com/GXjvLc9Nel
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No Visible Front Camera
Among the most mysterious things that are lacking on the prototype is the visible front-facing camera. Full Self-Driving (FSD) relies on its camera-based sensor system to a large degree, so it may hint that even if the front camera is blocked due to the wrappings, the vehicle can still perform well.
Although there also is an alternative, such as the camera possibly having moved around or been hidden slightly differently, there also is a chance that this new iteration will lack the entirety of the new FSD hardware solution, or that it will find its way as an optional on-demand attachment that should reduce the base price of the vehicle.
An Affordability Drive?
On numerous occasions, Elon Musk has underlined the goal of Tesla to popularize EVs. The more sensible development toward that end would be a cheaper Model Y, now that the global EV market is becoming more competitive. Like other automakers such as BYD and Hyundai, as well as Ford, increase production of their electric vehicles, Tesla may only be seeking to maintain a solid market position by previewing a Model Y version at a cheaper price of around $35,000 to $40,000.
This prototype may also be related to the supposedly upcoming Redwood project – an endeavor Tesla insiders have suggested to be based on a second-generation platform toward efficiency, affordability, and mass production. And there have been rumours that the vehicle is on its way to production in the next week.
It is not clear as yet whether this prototype is built on the current Model Y platform or some early implementation of the next-gen platform; however, the cost-focused design notes go in tandem with the hypothesis that this prototype will be aimed at a lower price point.
Market and Timeline Production Effect and Impact
Tesla has not made any official comments about the prototype and possible production timeframe. Yet the fact that the vehicle was close to the Fremont factory shows that the development is well in progress. Provided that such a refreshed Model Y makes it to production any time soon and with a greater range within the next year, it may turn the EV market upside down, as the original Model Y did in 2020.
Model Y has become the biggest-selling car of Tesla worldwide, and a more affordable variant can only widen the market further. Given that federal tax credits have not yet been phased out and that the economics of production should continue getting better, a sub-$40,000 Model Y, the production of which may be just around the corner, could become the new normal with compact electric SUVs.
