The Leak: From Rumor to Revealing Detail
While it’s been known that Tesla‘s next “affordable” vehicle will be a stripped-down Model Y, a flood of new details from a renowned Tesla hacker, “GreenTheOnly,” has painted a vivid picture of just how deep the cuts will go. By digging through Tesla’s latest firmware, Green has uncovered specifics for the vehicle, internally codenamed E41, showing a company aggressively removing features to slash the price ahead of its launch later this year.
The Chopping Block: A Head-to-Toe Downgrade
The leaked information suggests a comprehensive removal of features far beyond what many expected. According to Green, the interior will see the most drastic changes:
- No Glass Roof: The iconic panoramic glass roof is reportedly gone, to be replaced by a standard fiberglass headliner.
- Simplified Lighting: Interior lighting may be limited to just the footwells, and puddle lamps in the doors are said to be removed.
- Basic Seat Controls: Electronic seat controls will allegedly be simplified to control just a single axis of movement.
- No Rear Screen: As predicted, the second-row display for passengers has been eliminated.
Externally, the cost-cutting continues with the removal of power-folding side mirrors and a switch to “simplified” 18-inch wheels.
Mechanical and Technical Sacrifices
The changes go beyond cosmetics. Green’s findings suggest the vehicle’s suspension has been downgraded and the heater for the rear camera has been removed—a potential signal that Tesla doesn’t expect buyers of this trim to opt for the premium Full Self-Driving package. Furthermore, the car will allegedly feature “special motor configurations,” hinting at cheaper, less powerful motors for both the rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions.
The Tire Pressure Sensor Controversy
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising detail is the claim that the car will have no Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors (TPMS). While this would be illegal in markets like the US, the report notes that Tesla could be planning to use an “indirect” TPMS. This system uses the existing anti-lock brake wheel-speed sensors to infer tire pressure, thus complying with regulations while still cutting the cost of dedicated sensors in each wheel.
Launch Timing and Its Importance for India
Tesla’s VP of Engineering, Lars Moravy, has confirmed the affordable model will launch in the fourth quarter of 2025. This timing is critical, especially in the US market, as it coincides with the phasing out of federal EV tax credits. For a price-sensitive market like India, the introduction of a more affordable Model Y, even with these significant compromises, could represent a major disruption. It has the potential to make the coveted Tesla brand accessible to a much wider audience and intensify competition in the premium EV space.
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