"The rumor that the affordable EV would just be a bare-bones Model Y has been circulating ever since Elon Musk canceled a previous model that was to be built on an entirely new platform. The so-called "Model 2" was meant to be Musk's long-promised "$25,o00 EV" that at one point was presented as having a Cybertruck-inspired design. Musk reportedly canceled the new model in favor of building the steering wheel-less Cybercab, which was introduced last year and is expected to go into production in 2026."
"At the same time, Tesla says it will go into production on a more affordable version of the Model Y, which currently starts at around $45,000. A variant with Florida manufacturer plates was recently spotted driving near Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, by aerospace engineer Ryan Mable, who posted some photos on X. (It was also posted on Reddit, but I think Mable posted his images first.)"
"The budget Model Y is missing a couple of light bars, has an ill-fitting trunk, and is likely to start at $40,000. Tesla's long-rumored more affordable electric vehicle won't be out until next year, but it was recently spotted uncamouflaged on a highway in Texas. And no, your eyes are not fooling you; it's just a cheaper version of the Model Y."
A lower-cost variant of the Tesla Model Y was spotted uncamouflaged near the Austin Gigafactory and is expected to arrive next year. The cheaper Model Y trims include removed front and rear light bars and a return to separate headlights while retaining the narrow refreshed lamps. The vehicle shows an ill-fitting trunk and carries Florida manufacturer plates in the sighting. The originally planned separate low-cost model dubbed the "Model 2" and the $25,000 target were canceled in favor of the Cybercab project. The current standard Model Y begins around $45,000; the budget version is likely nearer $40,000.
Read at The Verge
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