Model Y Juniper caught testing in Europe with rear light bar and bumper license plate

The upcoming Tesla Model Y Juniper refresh has been snapped by an eagle-eyed fan while the car was undergoing its pre-release testing routine in Europe for the first time. It isn't clear why the Juniper facelift is being probed in Mataró, Spain, but the industrial city is very close to the port of Barcelona, where Tesla often unloads vehicles made in China and destined for the local market.

The Model 3 Performance also got intensively tested in Europe before its release, mainly on the German Autobahn. Previous Model Y Juniper sightings hailed from right around Tesla's HQ in California, and one of those encounters even resulted in the lifting of its test mule camouflage to reveal a new rear light bar design element.

That same light bar is pressing against and shining through the tarp of the Model Y Juniper test mule that was caught testing in Spain. There is not much else to see besides the camo, but the placement of the license plate on the bumper instead of the trunk where it resides on the current Model Y, is pretty telling as well.

Tesla will be releasing the Model Y Juniper next quarter, so such sightings are bound to increase, along with more revelations about its design and specs changes. The refresh is expected to follow closely the recent Model 3 facelift's more aggressive exterior and more minimalistic interior design, but there will be surprises, too, as the new light bar suggests.

Tesla is expected to upgrade the Juniper's powertrain to the Cybertruck's 800V high- and 48V low-voltage architectures, but whether it will get its rear wheel steering, remains to be seen. Probably not, as the hulking pickup truck needs it more, plus it has to keep the Model Y Juniper costs in check if it wants to sell it at its current prices despite all the upgrades.

Tesla just introduced an irresistible 0% APR financing deal for the old Model Y which will serve as both an incentive to clear any inventory left from Q3, and as a way to nudge those buyers who are sitting on the fence waiting for the Juniper facelift announcement.

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