Autocar exclusively reported this Wednesday that the next vehicle in line for Tesla Motors could debut as soon as 2019. It will be the Model Y, a compact crossover SUV, inspired by the Model 3 chassis with Autopilot, falcon wing doors, and more range.
The British portal claims the latest car by Tesla Inc. will slot between the entry-level Model 3 and the larger, more expensive Model X. Considering the advanced tech it will pack, estimates place the SUV around the $40,000 mark.
CEO Elon Musk indirectly confirmed the next vehicle of the company nearly two years ago now, when he tweeted there were two future models and that only one of them would get the signature falcon wing doors seen on the Model X.
Tesla’s Model Y will drive thanks to cutting-edge tech
As it is expected nowadays from next-generation products in tech, the Model Y by Tesla will have to meet both current industry standards and consumer demands upon launch.
To do so, the company plans to breathe some new life into its autonomous driving system, adding cameras, sensors, and radars that will help the car drive well in severe conditions.
The compact SUV will have as many as eight cameras to cover a full 360-degree view of the car and its surroundings. There will also be 12 sensors around the car to assist drivers with parking, braking, and more.
A new front-facing radar system will debut with the Model Y. This new instrument will help the vehicle drive with confidence in tricky conditions such as foggy roads or torrential rains.
The Model Y may face some issues and competition
Tesla also has plans to put a bigger battery on their latest car, increasing its range to a respectable 230 miles on a single charge. Autocar infers this from their render of the Model Y, which shows a substantially larger front fascia to give more room for batteries and instruments.
However, this range may be considered below average or downright obsolete by the time the car debuts in 2019 or 2020 at worst. If this is the case, Elon Musk will have to make a miracle down at the Gigafactory to pump out a better battery for future cars.
Also, there is the issue of more competition coming to the electric vehicle sector in the next couple of years. Industry giants like Ford and Toyota have pledged to develop affordable electric cars by the next decade, well below the rumored price tag of the Model Y.
Tesla’s cutting-edge technology will reportedly make out for roughly $10,000 of the overall cost of their next car. Neither CEO Elon Musk nor other company insiders have made any comments about Autocar’s render or rumors surrounding the vehicle.
Source: Autocar