Eager eyes are set on Tesla’s Model Y, with speculation swirling about a potential refresh. Despite CEO Elon Musk firmly quashing rumors of a 2024 update, a recent image of a disguised Model Y has cast doubt on those pronouncements.
This sighting comes after the highly publicized Model 3 revamp, which many believed would be followed swiftly by a Model Y refresh. While official statements from Tesla downplayed the idea of an imminent update, whispers of “Project Juniper” a potential code name for a refresh slated for early 2025 have stubbornly persisted.
The latest image of a camouflaged Model Y adds another layer of intrigue, leaving fans to grapple with the question: could a redesigned crossover be just around the corner? This unexpected development has reignited discussions about the timeline for the Model Y refresh, with some speculating that Tesla might be keeping its cards close to its chest.
A recent sighting of a heavily camouflaged Tesla Model Y in California has sparked speculation about a potential refresh of the popular electric SUV.
The car spotted near the Rose Bowl stadium, bore a resemblance to early prototypes of the refreshed Model 3 seen in late 2022, though it’s unclear how much these similarities translate to final design changes.
While the prototype’s presence fueled rumors of a stalkless steering wheel design a controversial feature in Europe Tesla CEO Elon Musk quickly downplayed these theories.
Musk expressed concern that speculation about a new Model Y could negatively impact sales of the current model, citing the “Osborne effect” a phenomenon where customers delay purchases in anticipation of upcoming product releases.
This concern is justified considering Tesla’s past rollout strategy, with the Model 3 launch in Europe and Asia following prototype sightings by nearly a year.
Based on this historical precedent, a potential Model Y refresh could arrive in April 2025, assuming a similar development timeline. This timeframe suggests Tesla will leverage learnings from the Model 3 refresh rather than starting from scratch.
An official announcement could come in the first quarter of 2025 or by Tesla’s Q1 earnings call at the latest. However, rumors persist about more substantial changes for the Model Y. Tesla hinted at a “hybrid” Gen 2 + Gen 3 architecture during its Q1 earnings call.
This approach would enable the integration of new technologies while utilizing existing production lines for the Model Y. While this strategy offers advantages, it also necessitates additional development and testing, potentially pushing back the refresh timeline.
