The 3 and Y are still premium cars with many features and comforts that could be removed or modified for a more affordable Gen 3 vehicle. For example:
- Seats
- Cloth upholstery instead of premium leatherette
- No seat warmers
- Simpler stitching pattern
- Manual position adjustment instead of motors
- Powertrain
- Smaller motor with less than 208 kW of power
- Simpler, less capable suspension
- Traditional sheet metal roof instead of glass
- Wheels: 17 inches instead of 18
- Sound system: basic instead of 14 premium speakers
- Side mirrors that don't have motors for folding in and out (or no mirrors at all)
- Basic rearview mirror instead of electrochromic mirror (or no mirror at all)
- Manual steering column adjustment instead of motorized
- Smaller console screen
I guess these changes could cut a few thousand bucks from the cost.