A mysterious looking Tesla prototype has been spotted testing on the streets of California again, sparking excitement and a lot of speculation. Could this be Tesla’s long-rumored, more affordable EV?
The vehicle, wrapped in full camouflage—a bit unusual for Tesla—appears to be a modified version of the Model 3.
What was strange was the fact that the front looked like the first-gen Model 3 and the rear looked similar to the refresh version. It looks similar to the Model 3’s refresh from last year, but there are also parts that seem more like the pre-refresh design. It’s this mix of old and new that’s left many people scratching their heads.
Tesla has a history of surprising us, and this latest sighting suggests something big could be on the way. What is Tesla trying to hide? Here’s what we think!
Mysterious Tesla Model 3 Spotted
A Reddit user, Jacknv, spotted the camouflaged Tesla cruising along the 280 South near Daly City, California, and now EV fans everywhere are puzzled about what it could be. Moreover, the Bay Area has become a region known for being a Tesla testing hotspot.
According to Jacknv, the car appeared to be a modified version of the Tesla Model 3. However, some features don’t quite match up with the most recent refresh of the model. The sighting was documented with a short not-very-clear video that quickly garnered attention online, prompting a flurry of theories.
Half-Highland, Half Original Tesla Model 3 Prototype Spotted in Bay Area
byu/jacknv inteslamotors
The camo wrap Tesla chose was also interesting. Historically, Tesla has shied away from using traditional automotive camouflage, preferring open testing. However, the use of camouflage in this instance has led to speculation that the prototype is something Tesla is keen to keep under wraps, at least for now.
One user commented that no one would have noticed this testing vehicle if Tesla had been testing this without the camo.
Comment
byu/jacknv from discussion
inteslamotors
Is This Another Model 3 Update?
Right now, the easiest assumption is that this could be a new version of the Model 3. Tesla just gave the Model 3 a facelift in 2023, adding some tweaks to improve its look and performance.
But here’s the thing: would Tesla really be working on another update so soon after the last one? As the sighting has been dissected online, many have noted that Tesla is currently working on a significant refresh for the Model Y.
The company may be using this prototype as a way to test some of the changes intended for that vehicle on a Model 3 platform. However, that still leaves the mystery of why Tesla would go through the trouble of camouflaging the vehicle. Suggesting there’s more to this story than a simple test. But that’s not the only theory floating.
Could This Be Tesla’s Affordable EV?
A big part of the excitement around this mysterious prototype comes from the long-standing rumors that Tesla indeed is working on a cheaper, smaller electric car. For a while now, people have been talking about a potential “Model 2”—a smaller, more affordable Tesla.
A streamed-down vehicle that could bring Tesla EVs to an even broader market. And this camouflaged prototype might just be the first glimpse of that car.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has often talked about creating an electric vehicle priced around $25,000. Such a car would be a game-changer, opening up Tesla to a whole new range of customers and beating the Chinese competition altogether.
The idea is that this more affordable model could use some of the tech Tesla has been developing for its next-generation platform but would still be built around existing models like the Model 3 or Model Y.
Preparing For Robotaxi Launch Event?
The problem is, that Tesla has been pretty tight-lipped about its plans. Musk even canceled two cheaper vehicle programs recently to focus on building fully autonomous Robotaxis instead. But some believe that those canceled cars might actually be making a comeback, reimagined as more affordable versions of the Model 3 or Model Y.
Nonetheless, it’s widely believed that any new lower-cost Tesla EVs would borrow technology from Tesla’s next-generation platform but would still be based on existing models like the Model 3 and Model Y.
One Reddit user, in particular, speculated that the prototype could indeed be an early version of Tesla’s highly anticipated affordable EV. The theory goes that this vehicle might feature at the Robotaxi event, which is just around the corner.
Comment
byu/jacknv from discussion
inteslamotors
Could this camouflaged prototype be the star of that event?
Bottomline
Whether this is a refreshed Model 3, an early look at the next-gen Model Y, or the first sign of Tesla’s rumored affordable EV, it’s got everyone talking.
While it’s too early to say with certainty what this camouflaged Tesla prototype represents, it’s clear that something unique is brewing in Tesla. So, could this camouflaged Tesla be the new, affordable EV we’ve all been waiting for? It’s hard to say for sure, but the signs are there.
Tesla has a history of keeping its cards close to the chest, and this recent sighting is no different. What do you think? Could this be the long-awaited Model 2, or something else entirely? Let us know in the comments below!
