Everyone has been waiting for the arrival of the Tesla Model Y Juniper which is said to be a refresh of Tesla’s popular electric SUV. The Tesla Model Y series has been regarded as one of the global market’s best-selling electric vehicles, so this new Model Y Juniper is critical.
Model Y combines the affordability of Model 3 and the practicality of Model X making it a very appealing option for the newcomers in the EV industry. Now we have some new developments coming straight from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory.
Test Production of Model Y Juniper
Recent rumors have surfaced claiming that Tesla is gearing up to start the test production of the refreshed Model Y, codenamed “Juniper”, potentially starting as early as next week. The rumored date is said to be 22nd October. The closed-loop production will begin at Tesla’s Shanghai factory, with an initial production set of around 15 units per day.
The trial production is said to begin on a separate production line with fewer employees placed quite a distance from each other. To prevent leaks, phones and other gadgets are not allowed. This is similar to what Tesla did when it started the trial production of the new Model 3.
#Tesla's new model Y is expected to begin closed production at its Shanghai factory on October 22, with initial production at around 15 units per day.
— 大趙 (@zhongwen2005) October 19, 2024
Key Details of Model Y Juniper
Tesla Model Y Juniper is said to bring a lot of exciting new technological features, performance enhancements, and design changes.
The first major change in the Tesla Model Y Juniper will be its design. Although Tesla has kept the design a secret, the sighted prototype has given the first glimpse of what to expect from a design perspective. The exterior design features updated front and rear bumpers. Tesla might also add new headlights and rear lights.
The vehicle will also improve aerodynamics which will enhance the performance of the vehicle by reducing the drag coefficient.
First Glimpse of Upgraded Tesla Model Y ‘Juniper’ Surfaces in Chinese Media
The Juniper will also be introducing more premium materials and a new revamped interior layout. Tesla vehicles are known for their minimalistic interiors and with this new model, the company is trying to improve comfort and quality while still maintaining that minimalist feel.
Tesla Model Y Juniper is expected to bring key performance improvements over the previous generation Model Y vehicles, featuring a more powerful electric motor with a maximum output of 220kW. This will help the vehicle to gain 0-100km/h acceleration within a few seconds.
The battery technology will also get a boost with the introduction of a rumored 60 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack which enhances thermal stability and safety. The new battery pack system is said to promise an impressive range of approximately 335 miles, thanks to better battery chemistry and aerodynamics refinements.
These upgrades position the Tesla Model Y Juniper as a more efficient and dynamic electric SUV, appealing to both new buyers and existing Tesla owners who are looking for an upgrade.
Despite the excitement, Elon Musk has previously confirmed that the new model will not debut until 2025, with some reports claiming that mass production may begin as early as Q1, 2025.
Model Y Juniper is also said to have a 7-seat version which will be exclusive to the Chinese market. This 7-seat design version for China will have some differences from the 5-seat and 7-seat versions of the US and Europe. The 5-seat version of Model Y Juniper is expected to begin deliveries in the first quarter of 2025, while the 7-seat variant may follow later in the year.
Conclusion
While the rumors suggest that Tesla is preparing for trial production as early as next week, it indicates that the mass production of Model Y Juniper is also not very far away, potentially hitting the road as early as Q1 of next year. Model Y remains one of Tesla’s best-selling vehicles globally but recent sales data has shown some decline in demand. Hopefully, this refresh model will be well received by consumers and push the growth forward.
