Tesla's sub-£25,000 car name surfaces - it's called Model Q

Rumours in China speak of a mysterious car smaller and lighter than the Model 3. It will arrive in 2025

By: Francesco Barontini

Dec 10, 2024 at 8:20am ET

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Elon Musk has said it repeatedly: 2025 will be the year of the debut of two new, more affordable Tesla cars. We are not talking about the Model 2, which is still a long way off, but somewhat intermediate versions between that and the current Model 3 and Model Y.

With the New Year just around the corner, the first rumours are beginning to circulate. In China, in fact, there is talk of a mysterious Tesla Model Q, an electric car that should cost less than £25,000 and be presented within six months.

Has there been an official announcement?

The Tesla Model Q (let's call it that for now) will use an evolved platform derived from the one used for the Model 3 and Model Y, but built more efficiently thanks to the adoption of certain principles derived from the much coveted 'unboxed' method that the company is developing.

Tesla's patent for unboxed production

Photo by: InsideEVs

Contrary to past statements, these vehicles will be able to be built on the current lines from which the '3' and 'Y' now emerge. There are reports from Chinese sources that Travis Axelrod, Tesla's head of investor relations, has revealed the official name of the next vehicle. It reads:

"During his meeting with Deutsche Bank investors, Axelrod outlined formal plans for the launch of a new vehicle called Model Q to be unveiled in the first half of next year."

The time is not yet ripe for the Model 2

Two batteries and two drive schemes

What do you think?

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Also according to rumours, this Model Q should be 15 per cent smaller than the Model 3 and weigh 30 per cent less. It will feature two battery packs, both with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry. There will be one 53 kWh and one 75 kWh. It is likely to be offered with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The question is legitimate: is a small revolution just around the corner or, as often happens, will announcements be followed by second thoughts and delays? Perhaps not even Elon Musk has a clear idea about this yet.