Tesla has an intriguing prototype
Is it a glimpse of the new Model 3?
Or could it be a test vehicle for the budget-friendly Model 2?
On September 27, a Tesla test vehicle was spotted on a California highway, setting off a wave of speculation on Reddit. The car, covered in prototype camouflage—something Tesla hasn’t done in years—sparked widespread curiosity. With its design resembling several Tesla models, it’s unclear exactly what the vehicle is, leading to theories ranging from a refreshed Model 3 to the highly anticipated, budget-friendly Model 2.
Tesla fans are debating whether this vehicle is a test car for the Model 3, Model Y, or even the Model 2. After Tesla’s Project Highland revamped the Model 3 in late 2023, other models like the Model Y, X, and S are expected to follow suit with their own facelifts. This has fueled speculation that this prototype could be a facelifted Model Y or even the long-rumored Model 2, which would be Tesla’s entry-level, low-cost vehicle.
The front end looks just like the Model 3
But the bumper resembles that of the Highland
However, the most similar one is the Tesla Model 3, and the first footage of the prototype was also mentioned as a prototype of the Model 3. This is because the front-end module is almost identical to that of the Model 3 that was refreshed in 2022 before the Highland Project was implemented. On the contrary, there are also comments that this model is a Highland disguised as a Model 3.
The front end is similar to the 2022 Model 3 but less concave than the Highland’s. The existing Model 3 has an air intake under the headlight, but the prototype found no intake. The intake angle under the bumper is less steep like the Highland’s, which is gaining credibility in claims that it is a modified version of the Model 3 Highland.
Is this the low-cost vehicle, Model 2?
Given the taillights, it looks like the Juniper
Another theory gaining traction is that this prototype could be the highly anticipated low-cost Tesla Model 2, internally referred to as Project Redwood. The ongoing development of the Model 2 is rumored to be the reason behind the delayed launch of Tesla’s robotaxi, suggesting that resources have been shifted toward creating an affordable entry-level vehicle. Given the prototype’s resemblance to the front end of the Model 3, it seems more likely that Tesla is testing the Model 2 rather than preparing to launch yet another version of the Model 3 so soon after the Highland facelift.
However, this theory faces some challenges. Renderings of the Model 2 have shown an air intake under the headlight, which this prototype lacks. Instead, some believe this vehicle could be a test version of Juniper, a rumored facelift of the Model Y. The argument for this is based on the shape of the taillights and light bar, which bear a resemblance to the leaked images of Juniper. These similarities add credibility to the idea that this prototype might be linked to the Model Y facelift rather than the budget-friendly Model 2.
Any vehicle is a low-cost candidate
It could be a fake vehicle for a test
The identity of the test vehicle remains unclear, but what’s certain is that it aligns with Tesla’s strategy to develop two low-cost models based on the Model 3 and Model Y platforms. This approach allows Tesla to use existing production lines and cut costs, enabling the company to offer more affordable vehicles. By leveraging shared components, Tesla aims to reduce production expenses, making these models more accessible to a broader range of consumers.
Without the camouflage wrapping, it would be nearly impossible to identify the vehicle as a Tesla, as it appears to be a mix of design elements from various models. This blending of features adds to the mystery, leaving room for speculation about whether this prototype represents the upcoming Model 2, a facelifted Model Y, or something entirely different.
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