• Tesla’s new entry-level Model Y drops glass roof, cabin lighting, and extras.
  • Simplified design brings fiberglass headliner, basic seats, and 18-inch wheels.
  • Pricing near or under $35,000 could make it Tesla’s most affordable Model Y.

Tesla’s long-awaited budget car that is believed to be an entry-level, stripped down Model Y is edging closer to production. After several camouflaged prototypes were spotted in testing, a well-known Tesla software sleuth has uncovered key information buried in the car’s onboard code. The findings paint a better picture of just how far Tesla is going in its effort to bring the price down.

Read: You’ll Notice What’s Gone From Tesla’s New Budget EV Before You Even Step Inside

According to GreenTheOnly, the Tesla hacker known for uncovering hidden features in the company’s apps and software, the most obvious change made to the new affordable Model Y will be the absence of a glass panoramic roof in favor of a cheaper steel panel. The new roof panel will get a simplified fiberglass headliner, and the ambient lighting system that premiered on the updated Model Y will be abandoned.

Stripped To Essentials

The code also suggest that Tesla is scaling back equipment in other areas. Power folding mirrors are gone, as are puddle lamps, a second-row touchscreen, and even the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). That last omission seems unlikely to make it to production, though, since TPMS has been federally required on all new cars in the United States since 2007. To further trim costs, Tesla appears to be using more affordable suspension components, simplified seat controls, and a basic set of 18-inch wheels.

The reversing camera heater will disappear, as will the central ‘airwave’ system, likely meaning the car will ditch Tesla’s trick air vent design. Two pared-down audio system options will also be offered, marking a significant departure from the current model’s cabin tech.

It’s worth stressing that these details come from code analysis and are not yet officially confirmed.

Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips
Tesla’s Budget Model Y Is So Stripped Down It’s Begging For Tips

Geek Piggy/Garage 42 / Weibo

On the outside, the budget Model Y is expected to wear a different front end, making it visually distinct from the standard version.

When Will It Arrive?

Tesla has not yet confirmed when this model will hit the market. Some speculate that it could launch in the fourth quarter, perhaps first in China, before then being launched in the United States and other markets around the world.

The fate of this stripped-down Model Y will rest heavily on one thing: the price tag. In the States, the current Model Y starts at $44,990, excluding the $7,500 federal EV tax credit that will be ditched next week. A price tag of around $35,000, or even less, might be what’s needed if Tesla wants the stripped-down version to prove popular.