First Look: Tesla’s Budget EV Interior Leaked Without Glass Roof

【PCauto】Tesla’s budget-friendly Model Y, known internally as "Project Juniper," has just had its interior leaked through new factory spy shots. The cabin shows major cutbacks in design, materials, and features, all pointing to a more affordable direction.

Tesla Simplifies Interior for Budget Model Y

The biggest change spotted in the leaked images is the removal of the panoramic glass roof, one of the signature features of the current Model Y. Tesla has replaced it with a standard metal roof. This move could cut roof production costs by around 15%, though it also means the cabin will lose some of its natural light.

The seats are now wrapped in a new synthetic fabric that feels a bit firmer to the touch but still offers heating. Tesla has reduced the number of physical buttons on the door panels and steering wheel, moving more functions into the central touchscreen.

The rumored rear entertainment screen won’t make it to production. Instead, the front keeps the familiar 15.4-inch center display. The front armrest now features an open-through design, giving the driver and passenger more legroom and a roomier feel up front.

Tesla has kept the turn signal stalk, but shifting gears still happens via a swipe on the screen. On the outside, the front light bar is gone. Headlights have been moved slightly higher, and the taillights now use a simpler layout, bringing the design more in line with the refreshed Model 3.

Hardware Gets a Trim Too

Tesla is using its latest Giga Press technology to streamline production for the budget Model Y. By casting 70 components into a single large piece, the company has cut welding points by 40%. It also switches to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from CATL, which helps lower costs by 12%. The tradeoff is a reduced WLTP range of around 400 kilometers.

In a further move to cut costs, Tesla has dropped ultrasonic sensors entirely. Like newer models, this one relies fully on the Tesla Vision camera-based system.

Aiming for the Entry-Level EV Market

Bloomberg reports that internal Tesla documents point to a target price roughly 30% lower than the current Model Y. Production is expected to begin at the Shanghai Gigafactory in early 2026, with the Mexico plant to follow.

With a starting price of $25,000, this model could help Tesla push past 3 million units in annual sales. However, analysts suggest the company’s gross margin may drop to around 16% as a result. Some buyers have already voiced concerns on social media, saying the removal of the glass roof and rear screen makes the car feel less premium.

Tesla has yet to confirm the official name or full specs of the vehicle. More information is likely to come during the Q4 2025 earnings call.