Facelift Model Y

[dan_b]

There it is.

https://electrek.co/2025/01/09/this-is- ... -in-china/

[Mart]

I really preferred the new model 3 (Highland codename), but I'm genuinely split 50-50 on the Juniper Y, can't decide if it looks better.

Not sure it needed another ~90hp, I haven't unlocked the additional ~100hp I have available. It's an absolutely solid large CUV, but you canna change the laws of physics, so it does have roll where the electric go-kart model 3 doesn't.

I wonder if it'll retake the top selling vehicle title in 2025? I think a Toyota may have just pipped it to the post in 2024.

[Yuff]

Just picked up a TMY LR and much prefer it to the model 3 it replaced.
But also because I felt it was a stinking lease deal, cheaper than the TM 3 from 3 years ago incl the government grant at the time of £5k.
Free supercharging for a year.
If it’s a similar deal, when we swap the EQC in December, might add another TMY LR

[dan_b]

It does look better - although not a fan of the front led bar but the rear is very well done.

There are rumours it also has a vestigial indicator stalk.

Not sure what the point of the rear LED screen is in the cabin?

Given the long slow death of the S/X platform, the calamity that is CyberTruck, and still no sign of a “Model 2”, the Y is going to have to do extremely well.

[Ken]

M2 cant be far off now otherwise what is the R&D team working on? Musk alluded to 2025 and somewhere i read it will have carbon fibre side panels ??

[Mart]

M2 cant be far off now otherwise what is the R&D team working on? Musk alluded to 2025 and somewhere i read it will have carbon fibre side panels ??

It's as clear as mud. I think plans for a genuine M2 may be cancelled, but Elon has mentioned a smaller vehicle based on current factory lines (M2.5 perhaps). So maybe a slightly smaller 3 or Y ..... or something else completely, or nothing at all.

In fairness to Tesla (and all manufacturers) they have to woryy about the Osborne Effect if they announce new vehicles that may put people off buying current vehicles. That's why many expected the Juniper Y in early 2025, but nobody was quite sure.

I do hope they bring out a slightly smaller vehicle, perhaps with reduced batteries, motors, and specs, to get the price down for more people.

[dan_b]

The only new vehicle that Tesla is being allowed to develop is that 2 seat, no steering wheel/no driver CyberCab thing. Which is hardly a small family hatchback.

He had to be arm-twisted to allow the facelifts of the 3 and Y.
Musk says the S and X are only continuing to be made for "Sentimental reasons".
The Roadster 2 won't be built as they've got "more important projects to work on".
The Semi HGV is finally going to enter serial production at some point in the next year or so some 6 years after being unveiled.

Just staggers me that a company that is now as large as Tesla only seems capable of developing one new model at a time.

M2 cant be far off now otherwise what is the R&D team working on? Musk alluded to 2025 and somewhere i read it will have carbon fibre side panels ??

[Mart]

Not sure it needed another ~90hp, I haven't unlocked the additional ~100hp I have available. It's an absolutely solid large CUV, but you canna change the laws of physics, so it does have roll where the electric go-kart model 3 doesn't.

Teeny update, apparently they haven't upped the power, but are supplying the vehicles* with the extra power already unlocked**, which used to cost £1.5k.

Watching lots of news threads, and whilst still 'clear as mud', there is still talk about the 'more affordable' cars (plural) still coming out this year, but may just be stripped down, cheaper versions of the 3 & Y, rather than being physically smaller ..... but the mud remains thick.

*The first Y's coming out do seem to be early edition models at a higher price, with some extras, so not sure if the power unlock is a permanent thing, or if the fee will return.

**This dates back to Tesla trying to simplify production, so the LR 3 & Y ship with most of the same kit/tech of the more expensive performance version, but software locked to give less power. The fee, allows you to unlock some of that power.

[Yuff]

I’ve had several EV’s the past 5 years and Tesla, imo, are way ahead of the competition in every aspect apart from build quality.
But I’d rather have a Tesla that works than an Audi that’s useless personally.
I’m sure Mercedes and Audi have improved their offerings but cost and value, Tesla is pretty hard to beat atm. I’m sure BYD are pretty good but not sure I’d chose a Chinese offering currently.
The model Y I picked up recently works perfectly in the recent weather and coupled to the free supercharging offer for a year is ideal.

Ps build quality has improved immensely between our Teslas

[dan_b]

My 2023 Made in China Model 3 was/is noticeably better built than the 2019 Cobbled Together in California Model 3.

To Mart's point - after 2 years of ownership I actually bought the £1000 performance unlock for the 2019 Dual Motor M3 - put it somewhere between the vanilla version and the full-phat TM3 Performance (which is what I now have). Nothing changed in the motors or battery drivetrain, just software unlock.

I even seem to recall in the first year of owning the vanilla dual motor that it received a free performance boost in one of the early OTA updates, because why not!


I have zero confidence in a "new cheaper" Tesla anytime soon. Musk is still all-in on his full autonomy koolaid, and that CyberCab thing, can't see them making a version of that with a wheel and pedals. And even if they do, cars with 2 seats don't tend to sell well in any segment, budget or premium.