Tesla has kept mum about its refreshed Model Y, codenamed “Juniper,” but it’s going into production soon. As such, prototypes have been out testing on public roads, where eagle-eyed enthusiasts have been able to catch glimpses of them. The latest sighting comes from a user on X, who offers a couple of angles, along with video of the camouflaged Model Y driving on the highway in the rain. Despite the attempts to hide them, this footage gives us a close enough look to fuel some speculation.
Changes Up Front And In Back
For this refresh of the Model Y, rumors suggest Tesla is addressing the front and rear of the vehicle. Of course, those changes are mostly covered in the typical black camouflage that hides most of what has been reshaped or revamped. The biggest thing we notice, though, is what appears to be part of a light bar peeking from behind the rear camouflage. We see it in the big cutout in the center, just under the spoiler, as well as through a small hole on the corner facing the camera. This would mean that the Model Y’s updates won’t simply mirror the
. The rest of the rear end is thoroughly covered up, so we’ll have to wait for more to be revealed.
The front of this Model Y prototype is more tightly wrapped, which covers up more of the sheet metal, but gives what could possibly be a better idea of the form underneath. Take a look at the very tip of the Y’s nose. There’s definitely some shapeliness to it that suggests I could borrow some of its looks from its more expensive siblings, the Model S and Model X, which would be a departure from the current nose and logo shared with the Model 3. Then again, that could just be the camouflage throwing us off the scent.
One other change we think we see is in the side mirrors. They appear to have just a slightly different shape than the mirrors on the current Model Y. See that little crease toward the top of the mirror cap? That’s new.
What About The Interior?
Unfortunately, this video still doesn’t give us any glimpse inside the vehicle, so we have to combine rumors with common sense to speculate about any changes to the interior. If it’s not following the Model 3’s lead on the exterior, its cabin is expected to borrow from the Highland (pictured above). That’s a good thing for the most part, with some welcome refinement. We can look for better materials, better acoustic insulation, and new ambient lighting. We’ll likely see the new screens, including the one for the second row. We could also expect a new steering wheel free from stalks, which would surely be a controversial move.
There are likely to be a lot more subtle updates throughout the car, as well as some possible bigger updates under the sheet metal. For instance, this video shows how well the suspension works to minimize body movements relative to the wheels. Hopefully this points to some updated suspension that will make for a smoother, quieter ride.
Whatever the real changes are, they’ll begin seeing the light of day very soon. The updated Tesla Model Y is expected to begin production in China in January 2025.
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