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Tesla Model 3 Roundup: prototypes spotted in the wild [Gallery]

We had a good look at the Model 3 during the unveil event last month, and Tesla shared a few promo shots afterward, but it’s always interesting to see a product in a non-staged environment and where it is intended to be utilized. In the case of the Model 3, that would be on the road.

At the unveiling event, Tesla officials described the Model 3 units used for test rides as “engineering validation cars”. While Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the company was still working on the vehicles and a few design details will end up more refined than what we are seeing right now, it does sound like those Model 3’s are close to what will go into production next year.

On Friday, Tesla released the compensation details of its executive team, including Musk’s stock option plan based on milestone achievements. One of those achievements is the completion of the Model 3 Alpha prototype and for the first time it was shown as completed.

Now it doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicles below are “Alpha prototypes”, since in the past, like for the Model X for example, Tesla unveiled its vehicles with what it referred to as “pre-Alpha prototypes”. Though at least it’s now confirmed that Tesla has an Alpha Model 3 prototype and it will be interesting to follow the evolution of the vehicle through sightings.

Here are the most recent ones:

https://youtu.be/-4tc5DXfvfc

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEQJ-W7xZN-/?tagged=model3

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEOwZqARZFQ/?taken-by=tesla.model.3.news

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDyKjWwr6k3/?taken-by=petersenmuseum

 

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Comments

  1. Nøderak - 8 years ago

    @chardelton’s and the last from petersenmuseum pic looks kinda fake. Also, notice there is no tesla T dagger on the front fascia. It’s on the deck lid instead. also, on the mirrors, I don’t see the new AP hardware such as was seen on the new MS

    • md - 8 years ago

      There seems to be a big variety even between these few, they aren’t production prototypes, the door handles were different too.

      • Nøderak - 8 years ago

        yup.big difference in door handles between the silver and matte gray Mod3. the matte gray’s look like normal MS touch to pop out, while the silver looks more like MX tough and the door opens.

  2. SC - 8 years ago

    Is it me, or does the glass roof of the matte black/grey one look darker? (not just in the photos shown here, also in others) Would be nice if the tint of the glass roof was controllable. I hope it is!

    • Nøderak - 8 years ago

      all the pics with silver either look fake or retouched, probably a me-monitor problem. transitional glass would be awesome, though! note that the silver Mod3 has red brake calipers. Freudian slip? oversight?

      • Fred Lambert - 8 years ago

        they are from instagram, meaning they are likely using filters, but they are not “fake”.

  3. BEP - 8 years ago

    A rare shot of a convertible version: http://goo.gl/bhpmvK
    😉

  4. Sam Dawkins - 8 years ago

    Just been for a test drive in a model S and it is fair to say good by petrol/diesel and hello electricity…. amazing 🙂

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