Tesla Model C: the prototype that's shaking up the internet

A prototype car has reignited the rumor of the upcoming compact Tesla electric vehicle, which could be unveiled in a few days. Take with a grain of salt.

We are five days away from Tesla’s next event. The American brand is organizing a special day for investors on March 1, 2023, or “Investor Day” in English. The format of this presentation is still unknown, following yesterday’s update about the new engineering center in Palo Alto, California (United States), located in the former Hewlett-Packard premises. We do know that it will take place at the “Giga Texas” factory in Austin, producing the Model Y and soon the Cybertruck.

Elon Musk has given several hints about the announcements that will be made there. The CEO will provide a clearer vision of the strategy regarding electric vehicles. This is the “Master Plan 3”, the third phase after those of 2006 and 2016. The main novelty will be “the new platform”, as indicated in the financial results at the end of January. It is expected to be the platform for the famous compact car, also nicknamed Tesla Model C or Model 2.

A Curious Prototype in China and a Video

What has been stirring the web for several hours is a camouflaged prototype car, visible through the site Autospy. A common practice among automakers to disguise the final design before the official reveal. Usually, Tesla prototypes are based in California. However, here, the photos come from China, and the vehicle looks quite unusual. Sometimes, manufacturers play tricks with paparazzi by adding fake elements to create the illusion of a different model.

This time, the deception is more elaborate, as the vehicle appears to be based on a Mazda CX-30, with the headlights resembling Tesla Model 3. Many immediately believed it was a version of the Tesla Model C. However, Musk’s company has never used such camouflage, and the proximity to Mazda suggests otherwise. The detail that kills this rumor is the cutout in the bumper for a tailpipe, which would be absurd for an electric car.

Está dando mucho que hablar las imágenes de un posible #Tesla Model 2 que usa la carrocería de un Mazda CX-30 para su desarrollo. ¿Tesla Model 2, o nuevo Mazda usando componentes de Tesla? @foroelectricos @motorpuntoes @Tesla pic.twitter.com/tTXGBCUOpf
— Carlos Noya (@cnoyagonzalez) February 24, 2023

In short, this prototype is most likely not a Tesla. The origin of this car remains unknown, it could be a Mazda decoy or an amateur’s prank.

Another document that caused a stir online is a sketch briefly visible during a presentation of the Palo Alto offices. In the images, you can see a rough sketch used for recruiting the R&D team in China in January 2020, partially hidden. Nothing definitive can be concluded from it.

The 2020 sketch visible in this screenshot from the video published on February 23, 2023.

A Tesla Made in China for €30,000?

This shows the hype surrounding the upcoming Tesla Model C, the first new car since the Model Y, unveiled in March 2019 (excluding the Cybertruck). Elon Musk officially announced it in September 2020 during a press conference.

He described it as a compact, fully electric car with a starting price of $25,000. A difficult promise to keep, considering the Model 3 aimed for $35,000 but never achieved it. The American sedan now costs around €44,690 as the base price. A price of €30,000 or €35,000 seems more realistic for the Model C.

Another certainty is that this car’s batteries will be of the LFP type, cheaper and supplied by the partner CATL. Production is expected to also take place in China at the Shanghai Gigafactory to reduce costs.

Stay tuned on March 1 for more details about this Tesla Model C!