The upcoming Tesla Model Y has been teased in a
single image this week, offering a first glimpse of the company’s latest
all-electric SUV. CEO Elon Musk reportedly saying Tesla has
decided to build the electric crossover on a new platform, rather than on the
architecture that will underpin the Model 3.
According to Electrek, Musk said the Model Y is
scheduled to go into production in “late-2019 to 2020”, indicating the new
medium SUV is at least two or three years away. The teaser image doesn’t give
away much, though we can see that this version of the Model Y doesn’t have
exterior mirrors – though it’s unclear what it will need to offer instead to
meet design and safety regulations.
If market trends are any indication, the Model Y
will likely become even more popular than the Model 3 which has been
projected to be the brand’s volume seller when it launches globally in the next
12-18 months – while the crossover’s battery architecture will do away with the
current 12V standard in order to phase out lead-acid batteries.
