Tesla Model Q Specs Leaked, Will Start At Under $30,000?

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In response to the Chinese language outlet CNMO Expertise Information (Sina Finance), Travis Axelrod, Tesla’s head of investor relations, introduced plans to launch a brand new mannequin whereas addressing senior company buyers at an investor convention hosted by Deutsche Financial institution on December 5, 2024. The purpose of Venture Redwood, internally dubbed “Model Q” by Deutsche Financial institution, is to realize a post-subsidy value of underneath $30,000. Not A Tesla App (NATA) posted on December 10, 2024 that after the federal EV rebate expires in 2025 — which it’ll as a result of Elon The Magnificent needs his surrogate father to kill it — the Mannequin Q’s beginning value will likely be round $30,000.

NATA is normally a dependable supply for information concerning the firm, however on this level we disagree. If the Mannequin Q is rumored to start out at underneath $30,000 after the federal tax rebate, which means it’ll checklist for $37,499 and never a penny much less. For comparability, the Mannequin 3 at present begins at $42,490 within the US earlier than incentives. NATA beforehand reported that Tesla has already begun talking to suppliers and is seeking to start quantity manufacturing of the car someday round June of 2025. Testing of prototypes has but to occur, which must happen earlier than quantity manufacturing begins, and no pre-production examples have been seen testing on public streets but.

The Mannequin Q will supposedly be about 15% smaller and 30% lighter than the Mannequin 3, with an approximate size of three,988 mm, or 157 inches, which is the size of the usual MINI. The Mannequin 3 is 185 inches lengthy, so chopping virtually 30 inches off of it’ll end in fairly a compact automotive. Whether or not it will likely be a sedan, a hatchback, an SUV, or a trucklet is unknown. The battery will possible be smaller to match the automotive’s smaller measurement, which may even assist cut back the value. Vary estimates are too speculative to even discuss at this level.

Tesla Mannequin Q Specs

Tesla is expected to offer two models — a single-motor RWD mannequin and a long-range, dual-motor AWD variant. The decrease trim stage will embrace a 53 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, whereas the AWD model is anticipated to incorporate a 75 kWh LFP battery. The report says that the car will have the ability to journey as much as 500 km (310 miles) on a single cost, however it’s not clear whether or not this will likely be for the extra environment friendly RWD model or the AWD variant. Additionally it is not clear whether or not that estimate is predicated on the moderately beneficiant customary utilized by Chinese language authorities. We anticipate the EPA vary for the bottom mannequin will likely be barely lower than that of the unique Chevy Bolt — round 250 miles or so. There is no such thing as a information but on the value of the AWD model, however NATA expects it to price about $5,000 greater than the RWD variant.

As soon as the car ramps up in manufacturing, Tesla intends to supply about 10,000 of those vehicles per week globally, or about 500,000 per yr. As Tesla talked about throughout a earlier earnings calls, this next-generation car will likely be constructed utilizing Tesla’s present meeting traces with minimal adjustments, which ought to permit for a easy and predictable manufacturing ramp. The corporate’s a lot touted unboxed meeting course of will likely be saved for the Cybercab, when and if it ever will get into manufacturing.

One of many gadgets that got here up throughout the investor convention was Tesla’s Venture Juniper — the Mannequin Y refresh. Juniper has already had a number of leaks, together with some photos and knowledge that point out a return to the 7-seat, 3-row format — at the least in China. Not A Tesla App says they’re anticipating Juniper to launch early subsequent yr, as manufacturing has supposedly already begun at Giga Shanghai on a restricted prototyping foundation. That’s what the CleanTechnica C-suite has been anticipating as nicely. If the rollout matches the Mannequin 3 Highland refresh, they anticipate to see Juniper arrive in China first after which make its strategy to North America and Europe by the top of 2025. The efficiency variants ought to launch in early 2026, after the usual fashions.

A Extra Cautious Take On The Tesla Mannequin Q

Car and Driver is a bit more cautious in its response to this information. With no stories of a brand new mannequin being seen throughout testing, a model new mannequin being launched within the first half of 2025 appears unlikely. “Rather than launching a new model no one has seen testing, we think it is more likely Axelrod was referring to a version of the Model 3 but with a smaller battery, which could help drive down its price,” the journal mentioned. Axelrod reportedly mentioned throughout the Deutsche Financial institution presentation that the brand new mannequin will improve gross sales by 20 to 30 p.c. Although, earnings are more likely to dip as the corporate invests within the new lineup. Together with the brand new cheaper mannequin, Axelrod reportedly advised the Deutsche Financial institution crowd that an prolonged wheelbase Mannequin Y with three-row seating is slated for the Chinese language market.

Given how spartan the Tesla Mannequin 3 already is, it’s unclear precisely how the model is planning to cut back prices, Automotive and Driver says. As Tesla’s most cost-effective automotive, the Mannequin 3 at present begins at $42,490 in rear drive configuration. Chopping $5000 will likely be a troublesome ask, however the firm may swap in smaller batteries or use much less highly effective motors. There may be additionally the choice of utilizing cheaper supplies within the cabin. Additionally, there’s an out of doors likelihood that it’s this “Model Q” is the Cybercabwhich notably lacks conventional inside {hardware}, together with the wheel and pedals. Nevertheless, the large roadblock with that idea is that present laws don’t permit for manufacturing vehicles with out wheels and pedals to function on public roads. Perhaps Elon is planning to repair that earlier than subsequent July.

Earlier stories on the brand new Tesla speculated that the automotive, nicknamed Redwood, can be significantly smaller than the Mannequin 3, which favors the Cybercab risk. Plus, regardless of the low value level, Tesla recommended the brand new mannequin would launch with absolutely autonomous driving and go on sale in mid-2025. Is that referring to truly happening sale or opening up pre-orders? Both approach, Automotive and Driver says to take Axelrod’s timeline with a grain of salt given Tesla’s historical past with time frames.

The Takeaway

Not A Tesla App is extra of a champion for Tesla. Automotive and Driver is extra within the “once bitten, twice shy” camp. Folks get all huffy once we say something that isn’t a glowing endorsement of the corporate or its CEO, however previous historical past tends to assist a extra cautious strategy to information concerning the firm. One of many causes is as a result of Tesla refuses to interact with the press. Within the absence of precise data, rumors and hypothesis abound. We’d be delighted if Tesla launched a inexpensive mannequin, however given the mercurial nature of its leaderwe expect some skepticism is warranted. Will there be a child Tesla six months from now? “We’ll see,” mentioned the Zen grasp.