by Tesla is working on launching a cheaper model to the market by the end of this year or early 2026.
A drone pilot flying over the Tesla factory may have spotted a development prototype.
The mysterious car lacks doors and a roof, indicating an early stage of prototype development.
Tesla has always been good at keeping people in suspense, but sometimes even the best plans don’t stand up immediately to a drone and a zoom lens. New footage from above the Tesla factory in Fremont may have captured something the company would have preferred to keep under wraps a little longer.
It’s no secret that Tesla is rushing to bring a cheaper and more affordable car to market, as confirmed by company executives, including Elon Musk himself. Now it appears that a development prototype was spotted, sitting in plain sight among several other cars, completely unconcealed. Alarms are ringing, let’s figure out which part is fact and what might just be wishful thinking.
As noted on the platform embedded in the drone video below, a vehicle is shown that seems to stand out from Tesla’s current lineup. It has a narrower roofline and a silhouette that leans toward a crossover. This aligns with recent comments by Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy, where he noted that future models would resemble the existing lineup of streamlined features from Tesla’s next platform.
“Models coming out in the next few months will be built on our lines and will resemble the cars we are currently manufacturing. And the key is that they will be affordable for the buyer, and you will be able to purchase one,” Moravy said. The company also stated in a presentation that “Plans for new vehicles remain on schedule for production to begin in the first half of 2025.” Combining these statements with the new observation, we have something worth talking about.
Spotted by the YouTube channel Met God In Wilderness, the drone footage shows two very interesting things. In one, we see the aforementioned vehicle. The strangest thing is not just its size and shape; it may be missing a roof and doors. We know this new Tesla is supposed to be scaled down in content, but this is a bit extreme.
In the second photo, we see several shells scattered in the parking lot. None of them have body panels, except for a hood here and there. None look particularly special or unique, but the image is somewhat grainy to be sure. It’s plausible that one or more of them are redesigned prototypes. This includes at least one with Falcon-wing door hinges.
Another photo shows a covered vehicle moving from one part of the factory to another. There’s no doubt Tesla is working on something. The real question is what exactly, and rumors suggest it might be a more basic version of the Model Y, possibly even slightly smaller.
Since the announcement of a smaller, more affordable Tesla, people worldwide have been speculating about what it entails. In regions where Tesla manufactures and sells a significant percentage of its cars, social media and news platforms claim to know what’s coming. Under the internal name “E80,” this new Tesla is essentially a budget version of the Model Y.
Rumors claim it will have a 50-55 kWh battery, smaller tires, no panoramic glass roof, fabric upholstery, fewer speakers, and fewer luxuries. This includes things like ambient lighting, heated seats, and acoustic glass to keep external noise… outside. Frankly, all of this seems quite logical from Tesla’s perspective. Of course, its lineup looks a bit outdated overall, but if it can release a budget Model Y for, say, $30,000, consumers will likely take notice.
Let’s wrap this up with a caveat. There’s no way to be sure of what we’re seeing here. Not only is the camera footage very short, but it’s also very far away, making it hard to confirm anything. Obviously, the images here, combined with Tesla’s words about future cars, make the timing too good of a coincidence. Is it this, or something else, as Tesla calls it? Does it look different to you? Let us know in the comments below.
