Elon Musk unveils Tesla Model Y in new teaser image

Elon Musk has unveiled a teaser image for a new addition to his Tesla electric car line-up.

The Model Y was briefly shown briefly shown at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, in a dark photograph hiding its body shape and design features.

However, The Verge believes it will be "a crossover… sized smaller than a Model X but bigger than the Model 3".

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It adds the Model Y will also be "a much simpler car with respect to the electrical systems inside" and "built on an entirely new vehicle architecture platform".

Musk said the company had designed a dedicated production platform for the Model Y based on the lessons learned developing the Model X SUV.

He said: "There's been some criticism, like we should derive it from the Model 3 platform, but I think we made a mistake trying to derive the Model X from the Model S platform.

"It would have just been better to design an SUV the way an SUV should be designed, otherwise you're just trying to shoehorn something in that doesn't make sense."

Musk also unveiled a teaser image of Tesla's all-electric Semi-Truck, which he said was being co-developed by customers to cater to their needs.

He added that several heavy-duty organisations were waiting to place orders on the vehicle, which is due to be unveiled at the end of September.

These models will be followed by "an electric cargo van, pick-up and minibus", according to Autocar, all of which will be built on the Model X's production platform.

Prices and performance figures for the Model Y have yet to be announced, but Musk says he hopes the car will "hit the road in 2019".