A new interesting-looking Tesla Model 3 prototype has been spotted being tested on Californian streets. Is it one of Tesla’s upcoming new cheaper EVs?
Redditor Jacknv spotted the vehicle on the 280 South near Daly City in the Bay Area, California.
As noted by Jack, the camouflaged Model 3 prototype appears to have some features of Tesla’s Model 3 refresh from last year, but it also features a front-end closer to the pre-refresh version:
It’s hard to extract much more information from the sighting – thanks partly to the camouflage. This is more traditional automotive prototype camouflage, which Tesla has stayed away from for the longest time, but it has been seen using it more recently.
Speculation ensues.
Electrek’s Take
Considering Model 3 just got a refresh, it is unlikely that this is already another refresh in the work. However, we know that Tesla is also working on an imminent Model Y refresh. It’s not impossible that Tesla decided to bring some of the changes designed for the new Model Y to the Model 3.
That said, I think there’s another speculation that could make more sense.
We reported on Tesla’s extensive change of plan regarding its product roadmap earlier this year.
Elon Musk canceled two important vehicle programs meant to be cheaper EVs built on Tesla’s new unboxed vehicle platform. The goal was to focus on Robotaxis and we also heard from sources that the vehicles will be replaced by two new models based on Model 3 and Model Y.
Those models are supposed to be cheaper than Model 3 and Model Y, use some of the tech designed for the next-gen platform, but still based enough on the existing vehicles that they can be produced on Tesla’s existing production lines.
Therefore, I think we could possibly be seeing a camouflaged version of one of these vehicles here.
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.
Author: Fred Lambert
Source: Electrek
Tesla needs to be careful. Make it look to much like an M3 and you devalue the M3. Not that we don’t need cheaper EVs. We desperately do.
Still, focusing on autonomy instead of properly expanding the product lineup through innovation in manufacturing is a big mistake.
Tesla has the luxury of a huge market cap at the moment. They should be pushing the envelope on cheaper EVs… Because if they don’t, the Chinese will.
But even if Elon truly believes in autonomy, with the market cap Tesla has it should be no problem to walk and chew gum at the same time. Sometimes it feels like the only reason they’re pulling back is because Elon simply lost interest.