First photos of new ‘facelifted’ Tesla LEAKED months before launch, as fans call for whistleblower to be fired

THE first photos of the new “facelifted” Tesla were leaked online months before its launch.

The project, codenamed “Juniper”, has been kept secret as the company seeks to revive one of its most popular models.

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Tesla fans know that the company is in the midst of an overhaul of its best-selling Model Y SUV.

The updated £44,000 EV was expected to be revealed sometime next year.

CEO Elon Musk previously ruled out the model’s debut before the end of 2024.

In June, he posted on X, which he also owns, saying: “No Model Y ‘updates’ will be released this year.

“I should note that Tesla continually improves its cars.

“So even a car that’s 6 months newer will be a little better.”

However, fans have now been able to get their first look at the Juniper Model Y after some spy photos were leaked online.

The first of the hastily snapped photos shows a new full-width light bar with the Tesla name embossed along the sleek black boot, with a small camera hidden inside.

A second photo, this time of the interior, shows only the edge of the dashboard and the new door design, similar to that of the Model 3.

The car is clearly not finished, with loose wires hanging under the glove compartment, and the finer details are hidden under black covers and cladding.

However, some Tesla enthusiasts were less than pleased with the preview, with one calling for the anonymous whistleblower to be fired.

They said: “Whoever leaked these photos of the new design of the Tesla Model Y (Juniper) update should be fired immediately.”

Another added: “I’m conflicted because I agree with you but I also like looking at the photos.”

Tesla has been contacted for comment.

It comes after a £250,000 supercar was seized in central London after the driver broke a little-known road law.

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