Real or hoax? Mystery surrounds a camouflaged vehicle photographed as a Tesla charging site. Is it a real Tesla prototype – or the same Mazda CX-30-based fake snapped last week?
A camouflaged vehicle has been caught on camera overnight – though it’s not clear if it’s the much-anticipated small car from Tesla or yet another hoax.
Last week, images emerged of a Mazda CX-30 fitted with Tesla parts and wrapped in camouflage, leading many to believe it was a prototype of Tesla’s forthcoming small electric car – which could be called the Tesla Model 2.
Curiously, only two images of this latest vehicle have been posted online – one of the front and one of the interior – both of which appear to have been taken at selective angles and in harsh lighting, limiting the amount of visible details.
The mystery vehicle, also wrapped in camouflage (though in a different pattern to the earlier CX-30), was spied at a Tesla charging site believed to be located in China.
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The angle of the exterior shot conveniently hides whether the vehicle is actually plugged into a Tesla Supercharger, or if it’s merely parked next to it.
It’s unclear whether this is also a CX-30 body, as with the previous vehicle – with the low-resolution image and camouflage concealing many of the vehicle’s panels and body lines – but it does appear as if the car has had its wing mirrors removed.
The interior does look to use a Tesla steering wheel, and features a large tablet-style infotainment screen, similar to those used across the Tesla range. However, these may be just another step in making the hoax look convincing.
A large red emergency stop button has also been fitted to the front windscreen pillar – a detail often seen on prototype vehicles being tested by car company engineers.
The vehicle’s side sills – which were black plastic on the car seen last week, and shared with the Mazda CX-30 – are wrapped in camouflage in these new images.
It’s believed a Tesla wheel cover has also been placed on the front ‘bonnet’.
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Interestingly, a Tesla Mobile Service vehicle is parked behind the camouflaged car with its boot open.
The Drive office remains divided on whether these are real photos of the Tesla ‘Model 2’, or if it’s just a well-executed hoax being played on the lead-up to April Fool’s Day.
What do you think? Is this the 2024 Tesla Model 2 or just an elaborate fake? Let us know in the poll below.
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