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Mysterious Tesla Prototype spotted in China (Model Q / Compact?)

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There have been new sightings of the mysterious prototype that was believed to be fake at first glance.

What looks like a compact Tesla is hiding under a camouflage wrap to hide its shape and final looks.

But what is it? It seems to be a modified Mazda CX-30 that has a Tesla front bumper, Tesla headlights, wheels, autopilot cameras and rear lights professionally installed.

Who is responsible for this? Could it be Tesla themselves testing the efficiency of their powertrains in a new vehicle size segment? Why make it so obvious instead of just swapping the powertrain? And who besides Tesla would do this?

What are your thoughts about this truly mysterious vehicle...?

Image Credits: Unknown / Found on Twitter

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I'd put Mazda at the forefront of ICE vehicles. As you said, design, driving dynamics are top notch, but their ICE engineering is also extremely advanced (too much actually as they should have pivoted to electric years ago). A Tesla/Mazda partnership would be incredible.
I agree, Mazda is one of the only manufactures lately that have been really pushing the envelope on the design front on all their vehicles interior and exterior, their driving dynamics have always been a focus. Agree if they had these designs on a well developed EV platform or made a joint venture product with Tesla while maintaining a competitive price point it would be an amazing product. The MX30 that they put out just isn't going to cut it and a half baked attempt at an EV offering. I was never a fan of their buzzy and underpowered NA 4cylinder engines but the recent turbos 4 cyl and now the new straight 6 introduced really addressed the lack of power. Only issue is that its just a little too late in the game the market and future now slowly shifting to EV.
 
There have been new sightings of the mysterious prototype that was believed to be fake at first glance.

What looks like a compact Tesla is hiding under a camouflage wrap to hide its shape and final looks.

But what is it? It seems to be a modified Mazda CX-30 that has a Tesla front bumper, Tesla headlights, wheels, autopilot cameras and rear lights professionally installed.

Who is responsible for this? Could it be Tesla themselves testing the efficiency of their powertrains in a new vehicle size segment? Why make it so obvious instead of just swapping the powertrain? And who besides Tesla would do this?

What are your thoughts about this truly mysterious vehicle...?

Image Credits: Unknown / Found on Twitter

View attachment 909711
How can anyone spot this apparent prototype and not refer to it as “Model Z”—as in “Zebra”…????
 
Perhaps they were cobbling together a prototype to try out the other parts - drive train, battery pack, driver/passenger ergonometrics, software, etc - and found it simpler to cannibalize a Mazda for the rest of the body. The front would be easy to do with existing Tesla parts, and the front probably defines a lot of the aerodynamics. But for a first pass, isn't it easier to use the upper body and glass from a current model approximately the same size? I dont imagine it's cheap, quick or simple to do complex shape windows and doors and their body panels/frame for one-off - especially if you might change your mind for the next go-round.
 
Perhaps they were cobbling together a prototype to try out the other parts - drive train, battery pack, driver/passenger ergonometrics, software, etc - and found it simpler to cannibalize a Mazda for the rest of the body. The front would be easy to do with existing Tesla parts, and the front probably defines a lot of the aerodynamics. But for a first pass, isn't it easier to use the upper body and glass from a current model approximately the same size? I dont imagine it's cheap, quick or simple to do complex shape windows and doors and their body panels/frame for one-off - especially if you might change your mind for the next go-round.
Lot's of auto makers cannibalize parts from other makers for prototypes. Hell, the Cyberquad shown at the CT ravel was a converted Yamaha Raptor ATV with a motor from a Zero motorcycle.
 
Lot's of auto makers cannibalize parts from other makers for prototypes. Hell, the Cyberquad shown at the CT ravel was a converted Yamaha Raptor ATV with a motor from a Zero motorcycle.
It's hard to tell exactly from those first set of photos (which I assume is the purpose of the disguise wrap) But it does look like the pillars framing the windshield don't match up with the hood line and width, they're maybe 2 inches less wide - which reinforces the idea they simply stuck the Mazda body from windshield back on a prototype chassis and front end for testing other bits of the prototype.
 
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