Tesla is preparing to launch its long-awaited affordable model, but it’s not a completely new car built from the ground up. According to new leaks, the company is preparing a significantly stripped-down version of the Model Y, one of its best-selling electric vehicles. Codenamed “E41,” this new version aims to offer the Model Y at a lower price by cutting numerous features, from the sunroof to basic safety systems. Here are the details.
A Stripped-Down Model Y
Elon Musk’s long-discussed “more affordable models” project was initially envisioned as an all-new car priced around $25,000. However, this project was later canceled, and the company shifted to a strategy of producing more affordable versions of its existing vehicles. The first product of this strategy, the “E41” version of the Model Y, is undergoing extensive cost-cutting measures.
According to leaks, iconic Tesla features such as the panoramic glass roof and power-folding mirrors will be removed from the exterior of the vehicle. It’s also been reported that this model will not feature a new front bumper, simplified 18-inch wheels, or the small puddle lamps that illuminate the ground when the doors are opened. The vehicle’s suspension is also said to be inferior to previous versions.
Cost-saving efforts continue inside the interior. Leaked details suggest a simplified fiberglass headliner and basic cabin lighting limited to the footwells. There will be no second-row screen for rear seat passengers, and there may not even be any climate controls. It’s also claimed that the driver’s seat controls will be limited to a single axis of movement.
Perhaps the most surprising changes have been made to safety and comfort technologies. The E41 is expected to lack a heated backup camera, which could make it difficult to use in cold climates. Code in the vehicle software indicates that even the industry-standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), mandatory in many regions, will be missing from this model. The audio system will be a basic “Essential” package.
Tesla hasn’t yet announced the E41’s final price, but such drastic changes suggest it aims to bring the vehicle’s price below $30,000.
While Tesla’s strategy with the E41 offers the potential to attract new customer segments, it also risks disappointing existing customers and tarnishing Tesla’s premium image. Furthermore, it risks undermining its own sales by turning potential customers who would otherwise purchase the more expensive Model Y to the less expensive version.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Share them in the comments.
