Tag: E41

  • Cheapest Model Y S Lacks Comfort Features and Suspension Upgrades

    Cheapest Model Y S Lacks Comfort Features and Suspension Upgrades

    Key Takeaways

    1. The most affordable Model Y is now in production and will launch after the federal EV tax credit ends on September 30.
    2. The cheaper Model Y may have a shorter wheelbase and lack several features compared to existing models, such as a panoramic glass roof and powered mirror folding.
    3. Concerns have been raised about the suitability of the Model Y S for colder regions due to omitted features like rear camera heating and tire pressure sensors.
    4. The basic Model Y trim may target markets like Mexico, following Tesla’s pattern of simplified trims in other regions.
    5. The starting price for the least expensive Model Y is expected to be at least $35,000, following the removal of the federal tax credit.

    The least expensive Model Y so far is now in production in the United States and is set to be launched after the federal EV tax credit ends on September 30, as stated by Tesla’s chief engineer, Lars Moravy.

    Insights from Firmware Codes

    Numerous firmware code references related to Tesla’s E41 project suggest that the release of the most affordable Model Y is approaching. However, it appears that potential buyers may have to sacrifice some specifications and design features for the lower price point.

    Design Changes Expected

    Reports indicate that the cheaper Model Y may feature a slightly shorter wheelbase compared to the existing version, resembling a Model Y S, similar to how Tesla introduced a larger and pricier Model Y L earlier this year. There are mentions of both a RWD Model Y S, which is expected to be the least expensive Model Y ever, and an AWD variant.

    Features That May Be Cut

    As previously speculated about the E41 project, this new Model Y might not include a panoramic glass roof, light bar, rear seat display, or even clothing hooks inside. The code suggests it might also lack powered mirror folding, while the powered seats will only adjust back and forth, potentially compromising some of its current suspension specifications.

    Concerns About Market Suitability

    While these omissions in the Model Y S are anticipated based on Tesla’s past approaches with simplified trims, such as the Model 3 for Mexico with basic cloth seats, two particular feature cuts raise questions about where the E41 model will be sold. The absence of rear camera heating implies that the Model Y S might not be suitable for colder regions like Canada, and the lack of tire pressure sensors is concerning. In the U.S., a TPMS system has been mandatory for new vehicles, although some have evaded that requirement using ABS system sensors. It’s unclear how much Tesla would save by eliminating these options, especially since a set of Model Y TPMS sensors is available for under $100 on Amazon.

    Potential Market Implications

    The absence of these features could mean that this basic Model Y trim is aimed at other markets like Mexico. Regardless, the deadline on September 30 is approaching, and Tesla is expected to unveil the specs and pricing for the most affordable Model Y soon after.

    Pricing Expectations

    Previously, the rumored price for the cheapest Model Y was around $30,000 after applying the federal tax credit. However, since the government has removed this subsidy, even if Tesla adjusts its pricing after cutting some specs and features, the starting price for the least expensive Model Y is likely to be at least $35,000.

    Final Thoughts

    Whether the upcoming base Model Y will be worth this price, considering features like cloth seats, the absence of a rear display or lighting extras, and a downgraded suspension, is yet to be determined.

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  • Affordable Tesla Model Y E41 Launching Soon in the US

    Affordable Tesla Model Y E41 Launching Soon in the US

    Key Takeaways

    1. The new, more affordable Model Y refresh, internally called E41, is set for release in 2026 and will be smaller than the current Model Y with a 20% reduction in manufacturing costs.

    2. The E41 model will maintain battery capacity and drivetrain performance but will feature a simpler interior, similar to the budget-friendly RWD Model 3 in Mexico.

    3. Production is planned for North America and Europe, with potential sightings of a prototype indicating a miniaturized version of the Model Y.

    4. Tesla is developing the E41 as a response to increasing competition in the EV market, particularly from cheaper models offered by brands like BYD and NIO in China.

    5. The expected starting price for the E41 could be under $30,000, making it a strong competitor against emerging EV brands in the market.

    The upcoming, more affordable Model Y refresh that Tesla is planning to release in late 2025 has now been updated with additional details, although the launch has been postponed to 2026.

    Production Insights

    Sources from within Tesla’s supply chain indicate that this new model will be smaller than the latest Model Y facelift and will see a 20% reduction in manufacturing costs at the Shanghai Gigafactory, which will be the first to receive orders.

    Internally referred to as E41, this smaller, budget-friendly Model Y project has moved away from nicknames like “Juniper” or “Highland,” opting instead for a simpler coding system of numbers and letters, similar to the NV9X project that led to the creation of the Cybercab two-seater.

    Specifications and Features

    Earlier rumors suggested that the E41 would not compromise on battery capacity or drivetrain performance, implying that the affordability will come from a reduced size and a more basic interior. This approach mirrors Tesla’s strategy with the RWD Model 3 in Mexico, which comes with standard cloth seats that lack heating or ventilation, along with some other comfort features being omitted.

    The smallest and most affordable Model Y version is expected to be manufactured in North America and Europe as well. This could clarify the sighting of a camouflaged prototype during a recent drone flight over Giga Texas, which appeared to be a miniaturized Model Y, creating some confusion about the yet-to-be-released Model 2. This model, which Elon Musk and Lars Moravy hinted would arrive later this year, is also anticipated to resemble a scaled-down Model Y rather than a typical hatchback.

    Future Predictions

    When Elon Musk hinted during a quarterly call that the upcoming cheapest Tesla Model 2 would be “smaller, to be certain,” he likely meant smaller than the Model 3. However, with Tesla now focusing on the E41 Model Y, all previous predictions about design may be irrelevant.

    Alternatively, it’s possible that the Model 2 could be an even more compact version of the Model Y compared to the E41, featuring a smaller battery which could help Tesla achieve the competitive price range of $20,000-$25,000, especially with potential subsidies. Tesla’s lead engineer, Lars Moravy, mentioned, “the most difficult part of doing that is not making the cars worse, so I promise that they won’t be a massive step-down from the cars we sell today.”

    In any event, Tesla is primarily developing the smaller, more affordable Model Y as a strategic move against the increasing competition in the EV market in China, where brands like BYD, NIO, and even Xiaomi are emerging with strong competitors that are cheaper and offer more than the latest Model Y.

    This context sheds light on the tentative release date of 2026, as Tesla could likely rely on the demand for the Model Y Juniper refresh for a few quarters, driven by early adopters and customers looking to upgrade their older Model Y vehicles.

    Currently, Tesla is only selling the $60,000 Launch Series Juniper edition in the U.S., with only older inventory units of the previous Model Y available. The company has yet to release the new Model Y in RWD and AWD configurations that are not bundled with FSD, making it too soon to determine the price for the smaller Model Y E41 when it potentially debuts in the U.S.

    In China, the starting price for the refreshed Model Y is approximately $36,300. Given Tesla’s profit margins, a 20% reduction in manufacturing costs could mean that the E41 project launches at well under $30,000, positioning it as a strong competitor against BYD, NIO, or Xiaomi’s offerings in that market.

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