Model 3 Mule Sightings

[Adrien]

That's one of the older prototypes with the non-model 3 door handles and, from what I can see, nothing we don't know already. Cool video though, wish I saw one rolling down the highway. I especially like the "security force" of Model Ss

I replayed it a few times to see if a HUD or a different steering wheel was present...Nothing yet. I bet they are keeping this very close to the chest.

 

[garsh]

I saw this video of M3 on what look like black 22 inch rims

Those are 20" rims.
But it is not the same style that was originally displayed on that prototype, so that's interesting.

 

[Tiberius]

OK here is a crazy possibility, what if the model S escort team isn't just to help out the model 3 since it's a test prototype, but rather Tesla is testing advance AP (2.0 and beyond).

Sure the model 3 driver is holding the steering wheel, but there are a few reasons this could be happening :
- they are done testing
- testing requires a human to steer
- for safety the driver is required to keep his hands on the steering wheel at all times

What I believe Tesla might be testing is network AP. Tesla knows there will be hundreds of thousands of their cars on the road in the next few years, if we assume Tesla is encouraging people to use the AP, it's easy to imagine why network AP would be beneficial. Instead of you traveling on the highway with AP by yourself, your Tesla could detect another Tesla 20 yards away traveling in the same direction as you, so for convenience and safety both cars could travel single file on the same lane. Two Tesla driving with AP and sharing traffic information would be safer than a single one, plus they would probably be safer than two cars being driven by two different individuals.

I really think Tesla isn't just testing the 3, but instead Tesla is using their cars to test how well three networked AP cars could drive themselves.

Crazy? perhaps.
Cool? Totally.

Sounds like a Jump to Conclusions Mat.

 

[graphic]

Those are 20" rims.
But it is not the same style that was originally displayed on that prototype, so that's interesting.

Tesla does not make a 20" black turbine wheels, maybe they are 21", but looking at the tires and fitment in the wheel well, they look bigger than 20".

 

[ProphetM]

Nice that it's been spotted out on the highway!

Vertical videos make baby Jesus cry, though. >_<

 

[Trips]

I really like those rims. Nice to see the matte black in the wild with something other than the reveal rims. I was not a fan of the ones below.

 

[ohmman]

Mod note: duplicate threads merged.

 

[ModelNforNerd]

Tesla does not make a 20" black turbine wheels, maybe they are 21", but looking at the tires and fitment in the wheel well, they look bigger than 20".

Tesla also doesn't officially make a Model 3 yet. Who said a prototype car had to be on Production wheels?

 

[garsh]

Tesla does not make a 20" black turbine wheels, maybe they are 21", but looking at the tires and fitment in the wheel well, they look bigger than 20".

Compare those wheels & tires and the fitment to those on the prototype cars at the reveal. It's exactly the same, and we know that all of the prototype wheels were 20".

 

[ecarfan]

Nice drive ... Hwy 280?

Yes, 280 northbound just south of Alpine Road, I think. Not far from my neighborhood.

I did notice that the 3 had an S front and rear, as if they didn't want to let any other cars get next to it in its lane. Interesting. But I don't think it has anything to do with AP V2 testing. They could use subtly modified S's for that and attract a lot less attention.

 

[KZKZ]

Its really difficult to tell the size of the car, would you says its about the size of a Dodge Dart?

 

[melindav]

Its really difficult to tell the size of the car, would you says its about the size of a Dodge Dart?

It's estimated dimensions (from MotorTrend) are quite close to the Mazda 3 sedan. An inch or two wider and longer if I'm remembering the numbers correctly.

 

[Max*]

It's estimated dimensions (from MotorTrend) are quite close to the Mazda 3 sedan. An inch or two wider and longer if I'm remembering the numbers correctly.

But the real question is, will it be roomier than a Mazda3 inside?

 

[melindav]

Just based on the hood/trunk lengths on the Model ☰, I would say yes. I only used the Mazda3 because I have a coworker with a new one that parks next to my car (which looks huge next to my car) so looked up it's dims.
After the fact, @KZKZ I did look up the current Dart measurements and it is even closer to the Model ☰. I think it was an inch narrower and an inch taller than the Model ☰. And I'd say the same, it has longer hood/trunk than the 3, so it's passenger cabin should be smaller than the Model ☰

 

[Owner]

Yes, 280 northbound just south of Alpine Road, I think. Not far from my neighborhood.

Close but one exit south of Alpine Road, the Page Mill Exit. If you have the volume on the video, the car's navigation system tells them to exit onto Page Mill soon.

I drove on this freeway yesterday, but didn't spot a Model 3.

 

[Super_Popular]

It's so small, no thanks.

 

[garsh]

Jalopnik got their hands on a great photo of that prototype with the new wheels, standing still.
They actually appear to be the same wheels that were on the silver prototype, but painted all black.

 

[S3XY]

Yes, 280 northbound just south of Alpine Road, I think. Not far from my neighborhood.

I did notice that the 3 had an S front and rear, as if they didn't want to let any other cars get next to it in its lane. Interesting. But I don't think it has anything to do with AP V2 testing. They could use subtly modified S's for that and attract a lot less attention.

I wouldn't be surprised if they had the MS escorts just to protect one of the only M3 prototypes in existence. Any damage to it could significantly reduce the real world testing they need to do.

 

[jkk_]

I wouldn't be surprised if they had the MS escorts just to protect one of the only M3 prototypes in existence. Any damage to it could significantly reduce the real world testing they need to do.

I think they have more prototypes, was there 2 or 3 cars giving test rides during the reveal event and then they showed two cars on stage (or were they the same ones?). And those are the ones we've seen.

 

[alseTrick]

I think they have more prototypes, was there 2 or 3 cars giving test rides during the reveal event and then they showed two cars on stage (or were they the same ones?). And those are the ones we've seen.

Same cars.

It's so small, no thanks.

Buh bye.