Is this Tesla Model 2 prototype or an elaborate prank?

The Chinese social media are blowing up with images of the apparent Tesla Model 2 prototype. Many people are sharing photos of what looks like a smaller Tesla crossover but in all honesty - the more we look at the photos the more questions we have about them.

While the headlights and taillights are from the Model 3, and it wouldn’t be out of ordinary for Tesla to use them on the prototype, first giveaway that something ain’t right here, is the fuel cap right next to the charging port hidden in the left taillight.

The photo of the rear of the car looks awfully similar and we couldn’t shake off the feeling that we have seen this vehicle before. Quick search revealed the secret this apparent Tesla Model 2 prototype is hiding - it is Mazda CX-30. It actually is a Mazda dressed up to look like Tesla.

From that point, the ruse just unraveled. There are no photos of the interior and although the wheels look like the original Model Y’s Gemini wheels, it makes no sense why Tesla would paint brake calipers in red for a prototype vehicle. Closer look at the side mirrors and front bumper only confirmed our suspicion that this is not a Tesla, this Mazda probably never was even parked anywhere near a Tesla electric car.

The question remains - why would anybody do that? The answer is - why not? This clearly is a Tesla-inspired prank. People realize how much attention camouflaged cars attract, let alone one that looks like Tesla. There is no chance this is a Tesla sponsored or endorsed situation, unless the company decided to play a joke on the Internet community.

If you wanted to see what Tesla Model 2 will look like, the company actually unveiled quite a few details about it in its Engineering HQ Opening broadcast on Twitter. The Model 2 is present in a few shots - one where it is just a sketch and then there’s a glimpse of it hiding in the dark.

Engineering HQ Opening https://t.co/qyA5CpQvc9

— Tesla (@Tesla) February 23, 2023

Tesla Model 2 has been already confirmed by Musk himself, the company is back at work at the elusive $25,000 electric car for the masses. It will be built on Tesla’s next generation EV platform which will be discussed in detail during the Investor Day on March 1. We can expect the first real spy shots of Model 2 to emerge some time later this year.

Via