A drone flyover may have just revealed the first real-world look at Tesla’s long-rumoured affordable electric vehicle, and the internet is already buzzing with speculation.

The footage, shared by a YouTube account named Met God in Wilderness, captures what appears to be a heavily disguised Tesla model zipping around the company’s Fremont test track in California. The video, which surfaced online earlier this week, has since been picked up by outlets, fuelling theories that this could be our first look at Tesla’s long-teased low-cost car.

The YouTube channel, known for regular drone flyovers of Tesla facilities, simply captioned the clip: “A disguised Tesla car testing on test track. We could be seeing the new low cost model.” The vehicle, decked out in black-and-white camouflage, can be seen accelerating and braking on the private track, shadowed at one point by a similarly disguised Cybertruck.

While Teslarati speculated the prototype could be a new performance version of the Model Y, the vehicle’s noticeably compact proportions have led others to suggest it may be something else entirely — the long-awaited, more accessible Tesla model designed to compete at a lower price point.

From certain angles, the mysterious car even resembles an elongated Volkswagen Beetle, diverging from Tesla’s typical design language, which adds further intrigue.

The timing of the video lines up closely with details from Tesla’s own first-quarter 2025 earnings report, shared by InsideEVs, which noted production changes aimed at bringing new models to market. “During the switchover, we also prepared our factories for the launch of new models later this year,” the company stated, following a period of halted production to upgrade for the new Performance Model Y.

In the same report, Tesla highlighted the pressing need for affordability in the face of global economic uncertainty: “Given economic uncertainty resulting from changing trade policy, more affordable options are as critical as ever.”

Speaking during an investor call around the report, Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja confirmed that the company is actively working toward launching a cheaper model, reported by Futurisms’s The Byte, saying: “Production of the cheaper model — which may utilise design aspects of Model 3 and Model Y — is planned for June.”

However, industry watchers are taking that with a healthy dose of scepticism. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously mocked the idea of a $25,000 vehicle, despite having floated the concept multiple times over the years.

At this stage, no official specifications or release dates have been confirmed, and Tesla has yet to comment directly on the flyover footage. Still, if the drone did indeed capture the upcoming budget Tesla in action, it could mark a major turning point in EV accessibility — bringing Musk’s original promise of an affordable electric car one step closer to reality.

Mystery Tesla Spotted on Test Track: Is the Affordable EV Finally Here?

Speculation is swirling across the automotive world after a drone flyover in California may have given the public its first real glimpse of Tesla’s long-rumored affordable electric vehicle. The footage, captured by the YouTube channel “Met God in Wilderness,” shows a camouflaged Tesla prototype racing around the Fremont test track—fueling excitement and debate among fans and industry experts alike.

The video, which quickly went viral after being posted earlier this week, features a black-and-white-wrapped Tesla model performing acceleration and braking maneuvers, at times shadowed by a similarly disguised Cybertruck. While some observers, including automotive news outlet Teslarati, speculated that the prototype might be a new performance variant of the Model Y, many viewers noted the car’s noticeably smaller frame. This has led to widespread belief that the vehicle could be the long-awaited, low-cost Tesla designed to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to the masses.

Adding to the intrigue, the prototype’s design diverges from traditional Tesla aesthetics, with some angles drawing comparisons to an elongated Volkswagen Beetle. This unusual styling has only intensified speculation that Tesla may be preparing to disrupt the market with something entirely new.

The timing of the sighting is especially significant. Tesla’s first-quarter 2025 earnings report, released by InsideEVs, referenced factory upgrades and production changes in preparation for new models slated for launch later this year. The company emphasized the urgent need for affordable EV options in the face of global economic uncertainty, stating, “More affordable options are as critical as ever.”

Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer, Vaibhav Taneja, added fuel to the fire during a recent investor call, confirming that a cheaper model—potentially incorporating design elements from both the Model 3 and Model Y—is planned for production as early as June. However, skepticism remains high. CEO Elon Musk has previously downplayed the prospect of a $25,000 Tesla, despite repeatedly teasing the concept over the years.

As of now, Tesla has not released any official details or specifications about the prototype, nor has the company commented on the viral drone footage. Still, the possibility that the world’s most valuable automaker is finally preparing to deliver on its promise of an affordable EV has captured the imagination of consumers and investors alike. If the rumors are true, the sighting could signal a major shift in the electric vehicle landscape—potentially making sustainable transportation available to millions more drivers around the globe.