A road test map captured in California, USA, shows the Tesla Model Y Performance prototype being tested.
Tesla has launched the “Juniper” facelift of Model Y in January 2025, bringing a comprehensive upgrade in both exterior and interior design. However, consistent with previous facelift strategies, Tesla did not launch a Performance version of the model simultaneously during the initial facelift phase, but instead suspended orders for the Model Y Performance. At present, the industry generally expects the performance version to return with a “Juniper” design within the year.
The location of this capture is near Tesla’s engineering headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The Model Y prototype is covered in heavy camouflage, but from various details, it can be inferred that it is a Model Y Performance designed with the new version of Juniper.
Firstly, the first evidence is the wheels, with the prototype car using Plaid 20 inch wheels, which are typically only used for performance models. After zooming in on the picture, users can also see that the Model Y is equipped with larger red brake calipers, which is also a configuration that Tesla only offers on the performance version model.
The existing Model Y Performance is estimated to have a range of 277 to 285 miles (446 to 459 kilometers) under EPA conditions, with an acceleration time of 3.5 seconds from 0 to 60 miles per hour. However, the Model Y Performance designed with the new version of Juniper is expected to have further improvements in range and performance.
