To its credit score, Tesla made plenty of effort to maintain the Mannequin Y contemporary and related available on the market, although the design remained largely unchanged. The Mannequin Y might appear to be an outdated Mannequin 3, however benefitted from many upgrades. These embrace a revamped suspension, megacastings, in addition to improved battery and drive items. As Musk instructed its followers on X, Tesla continuously makes modifications to the Mannequin Y, and even automobiles delivered six months aside are completely different.
In China, Tesla went even additional, updating the Mannequin Y with new options from the refreshed Mannequin 3, though the design remained unchanged. Upgrades included ambient lighting within the cabin and extra environment friendly drive items. Nevertheless, this may’t change the truth that the Mannequin Y nonetheless appears dated, particularly when in comparison with the glitzier Mannequin 3 Highland.
We’re greater than half a yr after the Mannequin 3 Highland manufacturing began, and regardless of rumors, there isn’t any signal that Tesla is near beginning Juniper manufacturing. Musk is adamant that this won’t occur in 2024, and understanding how optimistic he normally is, I do not see the refreshed Mannequin Y launching quickly. Nevertheless, as a number of prototype sightings have revealed, Tesla is already testing the brand new mannequin on public roads. This implies we should always see the Mannequin Y Juniper in its full glory within the first half of subsequent yr, maybe even within the first quarter.
Photograph: sugardesign_1 / Instagram
The manufacturing ought to first begin in China, the identical because it occurred with the Mannequin 3. Nevertheless, this time, Tesla should be a lot faster with the manufacturing ramp, contemplating that each Giga Shanghai and Giga Berlin provide the European market. The Mannequin Y can be in-built North America at Fremont and Giga Texas. This is the whole lot we should always anticipate from the refreshed Mannequin Y, from confirmed options to wild guesses and wishful pondering.
Tesla Mannequin Y Juniper: Confirmed options
Design modifications
This half is the simplest, contemplating that Tesla will transplant the whole lot new from the refreshed Mannequin 3. It is no secret that the streamlined entrance design we all know from the Highland sedan will make its technique to the refreshed Mannequin Y. This contains the aerodynamically improved entrance bumper and the slender headlights with LED matrix and adaptive capabilities.
The rear half may present just a few surprises, contemplating that is the place the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y differ. Fortunately, a current leaked image makes it a tad clearer. The refreshed Mannequin Y seems to characteristic a light-weight stripe connecting the rear headlamps. The sunshine bar may characteristic a glowing gentle illuminating the Tesla lettering. As anticipated, the headlamps will undertake the Mannequin 3 Highland C-shaped design.
Cabin: Ventilated seats, ambient lighting
There’s little guessing on what we’d discover contained in the cabin, contemplating how comparable the Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y are. If there was any doubt, a leaked image confirmed the refreshed Mannequin Y would characteristic perforated leather-based, a transparent signal it should include ventilated seats. These will seemingly be meatier, because the Mannequin 3 refresh confirmed, enhancing passenger consolation. Tesla takes satisfaction in its seat experience, so we anticipate the Mannequin Y Efficiency to have bucket seats just like the lately launched Mannequin 3 Efficiency.
A rear leisure display can be confirmed, offering the controls for the air-con and seats. This may also permit rear passengers to play video games or watch motion pictures utilizing their very own devoted audio channel (through Bluetooth headphones). In any other case, anticipate higher high quality supplies and improved soundproofing all through.
Photograph: Tesla
Probably the most requested options has been ambient lighting, and seeing it on the brand new Mannequin 3, I perceive why. Effectively, it should positively be provided on the refreshed Mannequin Y, together with the RGB functionality. The vastly improved audio system that was one of many highlights of the Mannequin 3 Highland at launch may also make it to the Mannequin Y, though it is unclear whether or not all trims will profit. Earlier this yr, Tesla determined to downgrade the Mannequin Y’s audio system within the RWD variants.
Improved powertrain
One other strong prediction is that Tesla will improve the drive items within the refreshed Mannequin Y. It has already achieved it for the Chinese language Mannequin Y, which was fitted with the beefier rear motor of the Mannequin Y Efficiency. Tesla touted higher effectivity and extra energy with the upgraded rear drive items on the Mannequin 3 Highland, and I anticipate this additionally to be put in within the refreshed Mannequin Y. This could present a pleasant vary enhance, one thing we have already seen with the Mannequin 3 Highland.
With the refreshed Mannequin 3 Efficiency, Tesla outdone itself, offering one of the crucial spectacular updates. Higher brakes, an upgraded suspension, extra energy, and state-of-the-art aerodynamics make sure the Efficiency trim is track-ready from the get-go. There isn’t any purpose to consider the upcoming Mannequin Y Efficiency will not comply with the identical recipe. In spite of everything, the present Mannequin Y Efficiency is already an completed sports activities automotive regardless of its physique model.
Refreshed Tesla Mannequin Y: Rumored options
Greater, 95-kWh battery capability
On the time of writing, rumors from Germany surfaced claiming that the refreshed Mannequin Y would characteristic a a lot greater battery pack than the present mannequin. Contemplating the present Mannequin Y includes a 75-kWh battery for the Lengthy Vary and Efficiency variants, the rumored 95-kWh battery would symbolize a 26% capability enhance. Mix this with the extra environment friendly drive items and improved aerodynamics, and also you see why individuals anticipate the Mannequin Y Juniper to succeed in near 500 miles (800 km) of vary.
Definitely, Li-ion batteries have improved tremendously because the Mannequin Y was launched 4 years in the past. They’ve additionally come down in worth considerably. Nevertheless, a 26% enhance in battery capability is difficult to think about utilizing the identical house between the wheels. That’s, until Tesla considerably modifications the Mannequin Y structure, permitting for an even bigger battery. This isn’t not possible, contemplating the rumors relating to the Gen 3 components built-in into the prevailing structure.
Photograph: BYD
Nevertheless, although Tesla will be unable to squeeze extra kWh within the Mannequin Y’s battery pack, development within the LFP tech will vastly enhance charging efficiency. Tesla companions CATL and BYD are on the forefront of ultra-fast-charging expertise, and I anticipate them to duel for a design win for the Mannequin Y Juniper battery. Regardless of the case, the upcoming Mannequin Y will definitely conceal some good surprises underneath the ground.
Gen 2.5 structure
Talking of the brand new structure, Tesla has hinted that new fashions are within the pipeline, some as early as spring 2025. These will make the most of components of the Gen 3 structure, which has been placed on the again burner whereas ready for the robotaxi to be cleared for manufacturing. Given the timeframe and the prototypes we have seen testing, there is a excessive probability that a kind of fashions would be the refreshed Mannequin Y.
So as to add to the rumor mill, Tesla delayed the Mannequin Y launch considerably. There isn’t any purpose to try this until it plans extra important modifications that require extra time to check and optimize. Then again, the refreshed Mannequin Y can be an utter disappointment if it will get launched as a facelifted variant of the present mannequin. Individuals anticipate much more from Juniper, particularly because it has been so lengthy within the making.
To date, it is unclear what components from the Gen 3 platform will probably be transplanted to the Gen 2 Mannequin Y. Nevertheless, the Gen 3 and the unboxed manufacturing course of had been all about slicing prices and enhancing manufacturing effectivity. The refreshed Mannequin 3 adopted the identical philosophy, so I anticipate the Mannequin Y Juniper to additionally concentrate on prices quite than options.
Wishful pondering
Stalks
After all, one of many greatest questions relating to the upcoming Mannequin Y refresh is whether or not it should include stalks or not. Stalk elimination has been a contentious determination, particularly in Europe, the place roads are hardly ever as straight as in North America. Roundabouts are scattered all over, and discovering the tiny steering wheel buttons whereas turning the steering wheel is a serious ache.
Some commentators consider the Mannequin 3 will not be promoting in addition to it ought to in Europe exactly as a result of it lacks a flip sign stalk. Contemplating the Mannequin Y volumes, if Tesla decides to launch the Mannequin Y stalkless, the issue will probably be loads greater. Although die-hard Tesla followers declare that steering wheel buttons are higher for numerous causes, there isn’t any drawback that these buttons resolve. They’re clearly a step again, introducing new points, and pretending in any other case won’t assist Tesla promote extra automobiles.
Photograph: @TeslaNieuws_ through X
Hopefully, Tesla will hearken to its clients and preserve the stalks with the launch of the refreshed Mannequin Y. Not solely that, however it must also reinstate them on the Mannequin 3 as quickly as potential. There isn’t any purpose to scare potential clients exterior the Tesla fanbase when gross sales aren’t as sizzling as they was once. Tesla demonstrated that it may reverse course with the Mannequin S/X yoke, which Tesla followers additionally swore was higher than a spherical steering wheel. Nevertheless, when Tesla provided a retrofit, they rushed to clear the stock.
New battery tech
We have heard rumors that Tesla may enhance the Mannequin Y’s battery pack capability, however there are different methods to enhance the battery efficiency. As soon as a frontrunner in battery expertise, Tesla seems to have misplaced its edge, particularly in charging efficiency. Focusing an excessive amount of on cracking dry battery electrode (DBE) expertise, it overpassed different battery developments out there.
In case you’ve not been residing underneath a rock, you’ve got actually heard that Chinese language battery producers BYD and CATL engaged in a brutal struggle to change into the fast-charging kings. Their greatest batteries are able to 5C charging, which implies they want lower than quarter-hour for an entire cost. Since each corporations are Tesla suppliers, it is solely a matter of time earlier than we see ultra-fast-charging expertise in a Tesla EV. The upcoming Mannequin Y Juniper looks like a secure guess on this regard.
CATL and BYD are additionally fervent promoters of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which has gained plenty of traction prior to now yr. Initially reserved for entry-level EVs due to their decrease power density, LFP cells have improved tremendously and are actually closing the hole with the NMC/NCA cells. Tesla makes use of LFP cells for the Mannequin 3 RWD (worldwide) and the Mannequin Y RWD (in China and Europe).
Steer by wire, community structure
After all, most Tesla followers anticipate the upcoming Mannequin Y to borrow some options from the Cybertruck. Among the many issues that the outlandish pickup truck pioneered are steer-by-wire, the 48-volt electrical system, and the Gigabit Ethernet community structure. These are carefully intertwined, contemplating the steer-by-wire system depends on the low-latency interconnect and requires highly effective actuator motors, which might be unpractical on a basic 12-volt system.
Photograph: Tesla
The steer-by-wire system has been extremely appreciated on the Cybertruck, particularly as its rear-wheel steering requires it anyway. Tesla defined that the Gigabit Ethernet community structure permits it to transmit the steering wheel actions with much less lag than a basic rack and pinion steering system. That is as a result of the Cybertruck lacks the rubber buffers that introduce a sure play into the system.
Regardless of how a lot I hate to pour chilly water on such expectations, I have to be lifelike and admit that steer by wire on such a small EV wouldn’t make a lot sense. Particularly after Tesla deserted the thought of the unboxed manufacturing course of, a by-wire system would solely introduce pointless complexity. Do not forget that Tesla goals to simplify manufacturing as a lot as potential, not complicate issues. Nonetheless, there’s time for Tesla to make changes to the Juniper program. When this occurs, we’re right here to let you know all about it.
