Tesla may soon release its most affordable SUV yet — but for now, it remains only a rumor. According to firmware code uncovered by a well-known Tesla hacker, the company appears to be preparing a stripped-down Tesla Model Y, internally codenamed E41, designed to cut costs by removing luxury features.
While Tesla hasn’t confirmed anything, these rumored details offer an intriguing glimpse into what could become the entry point into the Model Y lineup.
What the Tesla Model Y Simplified Version Might Lose
The leaked firmware suggests this stripped-down Model Y is all about affordability through reduction. Unlike the premium trims, the Tesla Model Y simplified version is expected to drop some of the features that have defined the brand’s upscale image.
Notable rumored changes include:
- No panoramic glass roof
- Simplified audio system with fewer speakers
- Basic single-axis seat controls
- No heated backup camera
- Fiberglass headliner instead of premium trim
- Loss of folding mirrors and puddle lamps
- No Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Simplified 18-inch wheels and downgraded suspension
- Removal of the second-row display and reduced interior lighting
If true, this would result in a more barebones Model Y, offering core Tesla performance without the extras.
Why Tesla Could Be Betting on a Simplified Model Y
The rumored Tesla Model Y simplified version reflects Tesla’s broader strategy to make its vehicles more accessible. After shelving the idea of a standalone $25,000 car, Tesla appears to be experimenting with cost-cutting variations of existing models instead.
This move could open the doors to a larger customer base, especially if the price lands near the highly speculated $35,000 mark. However, there’s a fine line: while some buyers will welcome an affordable Tesla SUV, others may see the stripped-down design as a compromise that undermines the brand’s premium reputation.
Firmware Leak Table: What’s Included, What’s Cut
Here’s what the hacker — known as Green — discovered in Tesla’s firmware about the E41:
| Feature | Status on E41 “Simplified” Model Y |
|---|---|
| Audio systems | Two tiers: “essential” and “essential with commodity” — both pared-down options. |
| Backup camera | Present, but no heater. Cold weather usability will suffer. |
| Center console / rear air flow | No “air wave” in console, likely meaning no airflow controls for the second row. |
| Exterior front design | New front fascia introduced. |
| Interior trims & lighting | Simplified fiberglass headliner, footwell-only cabin lighting. |
| Seat controls | Basic, single-axis adjustment only. |
| Mirror folding/puddle lamps | Both removed. |
| Glass roof | Gone. |
| Second-row display | None. |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Missing entirely. |
| Wheels/suspension | Simplified 18-inch wheels, downgraded suspension. |
Bottom Line
The rumored Tesla Model Y simplified version might finally deliver the affordable Tesla SUV many buyers have been waiting for. Cutting luxuries like the glass roof, premium audio, and even seat adjustments could make it far more accessible — but it also risks feeling less like the Tesla people expect. The big question is whether drivers will see it as a more innovative, practical Tesla for everyday use, or wonder if too many cuts make it fall short on the road.
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