Telsa teases new image of its  Model Y SUV – and Elon Musk says it might not have a steering wheel

Tesla has teased new images of its mysterious all-electric crossover SUV, the Model Y.

At the firm’s annual shareholders meeting, Tesla showed off a shadowy sketch of the Model Y, although CEO Elon Musk gave few updates on when consumers should expect the car to hit the shelves. 

The new photo confirms previous rumors that the Model Y will take some of its design features from the Model X SUV.

At the firm’s shareholders meeting, Tesla showed off a shadowy sketch (pictured) of the Model Y, although Elon Musk gave few updates on when the car will become available

It appears to be mirrorless, with a hood that slopes downward and pretty large wheels. 

But that’s not the most interesting aspect of the Model Y’s design. 

According to Musk, the Model Y probably won’t have any leather and it might not even have a steering wheel. 

‘Model Y will not have any leather in it,’ Musk said at the shareholder meeting. 

‘Even in the steering wheel…even if it does have a steering wheel’.  

As many have pointed out, it’s likely that Musk was joking about the Model Y being without a steering wheel. 

Tesla has released few details about the Model Y besides teasing several images. Last month, Musk set a timeline for the Model Y launch at 'anytime from late this year to mid next year'

Tesla has released few details about the Model Y besides teasing several images. Last month, Musk set a timeline for the Model Y launch at ‘anytime from late this year to mid next year’

The firm shared its 'all-hands quarterly video' in May that shows a brief glimpse of a mysterious car, covered with a sheet, that many believe could be the yet-to-be-released Model Y

The firm shared its ‘all-hands quarterly video’ in May that shows a brief glimpse of a mysterious car, covered with a sheet, that many believe could be the yet-to-be-released Model Y

However, several carmakers have begun rolling out autonomous vehicles without steering wheels, including General Motors. 

What’s more likely is that we won’t find out until Tesla officially releases the Model Y. 

Last month, Musk set a timeline for the Model Y launch at ‘anytime from late this year to mid next year’. 

In another interview, Musk said Model Y production could begin in the next 24 months. 

Tesla has released few details about the Model Y, aside from teasing several images in the last year. 

The firm shared its ‘all-hands quarterly video’ in May that shows a brief glimpse of a mysterious car, covered with a sheet, that many believe could be the yet-to-be-released Model Y.

Elon Musk appeared emotional at Tesla's annual investor meeting after he rebuffed a shareholder attempt to strip him of his role as chairman 

Elon Musk appeared emotional at Tesla’s annual investor meeting after he rebuffed a shareholder attempt to strip him of his role as chairman 

Tesla's shaky finances and inability to meet production goals for its first mass-market sedan, the Tesla Model 3, has caused frustration among investors

Tesla’s shaky finances and inability to meet production goals for its first mass-market sedan, the Tesla Model 3, has caused frustration among investors

The car is thought to be the Model Y because it appears to have the same sill, or panel where the door meets the frame, and similar design elements like the door shutline.

It’s likely that the car will not be manufactured at Tesla’s Fremont production plant, as that facility is already ‘jammed to the gills’, Musk said in a recent call with investors. 

He added that Tesla is focusing on making the Model Y easier to produce than the Model 3, Tesla’s first mass-market sedan, which has been plagued with production setbacks.

‘There’s no question we could have made the Model 3 much easier to produce than we have,’ Musk explained.

‘I think Model Y is going to be a manufacturing revolution’.

Musk also spoke at the Model 3 at the shareholder meeting, saying Tesla will ‘quite likely’ start producing 5,000 cars per week by the end of June. 

Musk also spoke at the Model 3 at the shareholder meeting, saying Tesla will 'quite likely' start producing 5,000 cars per week by the end of June

Musk also spoke at the Model 3 at the shareholder meeting, saying Tesla will ‘quite likely’ start producing 5,000 cars per week by the end of June

WHAT IF TESLA MISSES ITS MODEL 3 PRODUCTION GOAL?

Tesla’s released its new Model 3 electric car in July 2017 with a batch of 30 vehicles sold exclusively to members of staff.

The affordable £25,000 ($35,000) five-seat vehicle travels 215 miles (346km) on a single charge and accelerates from zero to 60mph (0-100kmh) in under six seconds.

Although the eco-friendly car is one of Tesla’s more affordable models, those looking to buy the vehicle may be waiting months before they can get behind the wheel.

Tesla had struggled to meet the impressive demand for its vehicle, with a reported 500,000 pre-orders put in so far.

Tesla has repeatedly missed production goals for Model 3, meaning those who have put down a £712 ($1,000) deposit for one of the vehicles may still have to wait until the end of 2018 to get their hands on it.

Tesla missed its production goal for 2017’s third quarter, producing only 260 vehicles compared to an earlier estimate of 1,500.

As a result, the company’s shares fell 5.4 per cent in after hours trading on November 1.

Tesla said it delivered 26,150 vehicles total in the third quarter, a 4.5 per cent rise on the same period of 2016.

But the company added that ‘production bottlenecks’ had left it behind on its planned ramp-up for the Model 3.

In November 2017,  it said it hoped to achieve a production rate of 5,000 per month by the end of the first quarter of 2018, pushing back what was originally a target for the end of 2017.

In June 2018, Elon Musk said it is “extremely likely” Tesla will hit a weekly Model 3 production rate of 5,000 cars.

He added said the electric car maker will soon produce more batteries at its Nevada Gigafactory than all other electric vehicle companies combined, including those in China.

By the end of 2018, Musk hopes to start production of the $35,000 (£26,000) entry-level version of the Tesla Model 3.

This will be rear-wheel drive only and sport a smaller battery pack than other models in the range.

Musk told shareholders: ‘We will definitely offer a $35,000 version of the Model 3. And probably at the end of this year is when we will be able to make a smaller version of the battery pack, and get into volume production of $35,000 version in Q1 next year.

‘We would definitely honour that obligation, and we would do so right now if it were possible.’  



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