A Tesla Like No Other
Tesla’s robotaxi dream is creeping closer to reality—and with it, some head-scratching prototypes. A peculiar Model 3 spotted in San Jose, California has sparked a wave of speculation. Whether it’s a Cybercab test mule or just one of Tesla’s experimental oddities, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t your average EV.
Cameras Where Windows Should Be
The prototype—captured on video in a public parking lot—was wearing Texas manufacturer plates, confirming it’s a Tesla-owned test vehicle. What truly raised eyebrows was the matte gold finish that:
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Wrapped the entire body, including wheels
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Covered the glass roof and rear window
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Extended to block out the rear side windows
And then there are the cameras—lots of them.
Camera Modifications Include:
| Location | Details |
|---|---|
| Front bumper | New, forward-facing camera mounted externally |
| Side panels | Existing side cameras replaced with crude bolt-on units |
| Rear trunk lid | Additional camera mounted for expanded rear view |
| Rear side windows | Completely blocked, with cameras installed behind them |
The result? A car that looks more like a rolling surveillance unit than a consumer vehicle.
Cybercab Test Mule?
Tesla debuted the Cybercab concept last October—an autonomous EV with no steering wheel, heavily reliant on camera vision systems. One key design trait? Cameras in the rear-side window locations, just like this Model 3 prototype.
Notably:
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The B-pillar trim is missing, adding to the custom, pre-production feel
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There are no rear visibility options—no glass, just cameras
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The design mirrors Tesla’s vision for a steering-wheel-free robotaxi
All signs suggest this might be an early-stage test mule for what will eventually become the Cybercab.
Musk Promises, Skepticism Persists
Elon Musk claims Cybercab production will begin before 2027, with pricing under $30,000 USD. But given Tesla’s history of delayed timelines and over-ambitious promises, industry analysts remain cautious.
“It’s ambitious, especially for a company that still struggles to meet deadlines,” said one analyst familiar with Tesla’s manufacturing challenges.”
Still, seeing autonomous prototypes on real roads—particularly ones this strange—suggests Tesla is at least moving toward production, or trying to refine the tech that will power its robotaxi fleet.
Final Thoughts
Is this gold-clad, camera-covered Model 3 the future of urban mobility? Or just another one-off prototype destined for the scrapyard of Tesla experiments? Whatever it is, it’s certainly sparked curiosity.
Whether it’s a stealth Cybercab, a vision system testbed, or just a wild engineering trial, one thing is clear: Tesla’s pushing boundaries again, for better or worse.
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