New Tesla Model Y camouflaged units spotted at Palo Alto

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Tesla may be staying quiet about any news regarding any upcoming updates to the Model Y, but it does seem like the company is hard at work testing some unique units of the all-electric crossover on public roads. This could be hinted at by the increasing number of camouflaged Model Y sightings across the United States. 

Just recently, for example, a Tesla Model Y with its entire rear camouflaged has been photographed in Palo Alto, California. The coverings of the vehicle were similar to those that were reported in a covered Model Y unit in the Bay Area last month. While Tesla has not explained the presence of the apparent Model Y test vehicles, it does appear that the EV maker is testing a variant of the all-electric crossover with a front and rear that must remain hidden for now. 

The presence of camouflage in the mysterious Model Y units has triggered speculations suggesting that they are early prototypes of the all-electric crossover’s highly-anticipated “Juniper” update. Tesla has been very quiet about the Model Y’s alleged “Juniper” update, though expectations are high that it would implement most of the upgrades that were rolled out to the reengineered Model 3 into the Model Y. 

The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are siblings, and they share a lot of parts. Thus, when Tesla rolled out the Model 3’s “Highland” update–which the company later dubbed on its official website as the reengineered Model 3–electric vehicle enthusiasts expected that it would only be a matter of time before the Model Y received similar updates to its exterior and interior. 

In March 2023, Reuters claimed that the Model Y was being upgraded in an initiative reportedly called “Project Juniper.” Elon Musk has been pretty dismissive of these reports, however, stating on social media platform X that there is no “refresh” coming to the all-electric crossover this year. Despite Musk’s comments, sightings of camouflaged Model Y units testing on public roads have suggested that a new version of the vehicle may indeed be in development. 

This was highlighted in a supposed Model Y “Juniper” leak in late July, which included two spy shots of the alleged upcoming all-electric crossover, one featuring a part of its interior and another featuring a section of its rear. Based on the leaked images, it appeared that the vehicle’s interior will be similar to the reengineered Model 3, and its rear will feature a red light bar with the word “TESLA” on it. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

New Tesla Model Y camouflaged units spotted at Palo Alto





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Lucid teases its answer to the Tesla Model Y: cost and release date

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Lucid has teased its answer to the Tesla Model Y, how much it will cost, and when it will come out as it attempts to penetrate the EV market and take more total share out from its competitors.

The Tesla Model Y has dominated not only the U.S. EV market but the global automotive sector as a whole, as it was the best-selling car globally in 2023.

That does not stop competitors from targeting the vehicle and the highly competitive crossover SUV market, which has come to be one of the most popular in the world, but especially the United States.

Tesla says Model Y has achieved unthinkable ‘best seller’ label in just four years

Lucid is looking to break into that market. With a luxury sedan and an upcoming luxury SUV both to be available as an option in the coming years, the automaker is looking forward by already working to develop its next vehicle.

It will be a midsize vehicle, Lucid said. The company also included a teaser image in its press release, where it also confirmed the Gravity SUV will equip the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) inlet, eliminating the need for an adapter.

Here is what Lucid showed in the release today:

A teaser image of the Lucid midsize vehicle (PRNewsfoto/Lucid Group)

New Atlas Drive Unit

Along with a new vehicle design comes a new drive unit, as Lucid will incorporate its new Atlas drive unit into the midsize vehicle.

This drive unit is smaller to allow for more interior cabin space and is more efficient, as Lucid hopes to improve on its already industry-leading range and efficiency.

It will also utilize a proprietary software stack that “enables the full potential of the advanced drive units and provides powertrain controls including torque vectoring, traction control, and battery management,” the company said.

This will likely lead to cheaper vehicles down the road.

More Than One On the Way

While this midsize vehicle is being teased, it is important to note that it is not the only one Lucid is planning for.

In an interview with Yahoo Finance, CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson said:

“There’s not just one midsized vehicle, there’s a plural. I’ve not disclosed how many based upon the midsized platform, but I mean that is going to take on the Tesla Model 3, Model Y — best-selling car in the world — but it’s going to have Lucid advanced technology.”

Rawlinson believes the new vehicles’ advantages over the Model Y will lie in range and cost-effectiveness.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Lucid teases its answer to the Tesla Model Y: cost and release date





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Tesla Cybertruck battery armor and rock sliders to be available end of 2024

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Tesla will be rolling out rock sliders and battery armor for the Cybertruck at the end of the year. With the accessories in place, the all-electric pickup truck would be even tougher, even against ridiculous stunts. 

Comments about the Cybertruck’s upcoming accessories were shared on social media platform X by Tesla Cybertruck Lead Engineer Wes Morrill, who was responding to a stunt featuring the all-electric pickup truck driving into fences and allegedly damaging its radiator. 

The social media stunt, which ended with the Cybertruck’s apparent radiator leaking, was promptly used by Tesla critics as a way to mock the all-electric pickup truck and its alleged weakness and design flaws. As noted by Morrill, however, drivers who wish to drive their Cybertruck into fences should probably not remove the vehicle’s bumper and aluminum skid plate, both of which came stock. 

“Battery armor and Rock sliders will be available as a retrofit option end of this year. Also if you plan to drive into fences probably best not to remove the front bumper and aluminum skid plate that come stock,” Morrill wrote in his post on X. 

The Tesla Cybertruck Lead Engineer’s comments are understandable. After all, the Cybertruck social media stunt is pretty much the equivalent of a person buying body armor, removing the protective plates inside it, shooting it, and getting surprised that a bullet went through it.

While the Cybertruck is arguably one of the hottest vehicles today, it also tends to attract a notable amount of dislike, both from anti-electric vehicle individuals and even from longtime electric car fans. Much of this seems to be due to the Cybertruck’s design, which has been polarizing from day one. For better or worse, the Cybertruck has become one of the vehicles of choice for social media influencers, so it would most likely be subjected to even more ridiculous “tests” in the near future. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla Cybertruck battery armor and rock sliders to be available end of 2024





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