Tesla's Secret Cybercab Prototype Spills the Beans During Unexpected Charge
A Tesla Cybercab robotaxi prototype was spotted charging, revealing key differences from its concept. The prototype featured glossy gold paint, a low-to-the-ground NACS charge port, and a yoke-style steering wheel, suggesting its current testing phase. Production models are expected to be fully autonomous without manual controls.
Tesla's much-anticipated Cybercab robotaxi is poised to become a fixture in urban landscapes, with prototypes already undergoing testing on public streets. Recently, one such prototype was observed unattended and charging at a Supercharger station in Culver City, California, offering a closer look at the vehicle's design and testing hardware.
Comparing the prototype to the concept revealed by Tesla at its Warner Bros. Discovery Movie studios debut, several details emerged. While the overall form factor aligns closely with the concept, there were noticeable cosmetic differences. The prototype featured a glossy, metallic gold paint finish, diverging from the matte appearance of the concept. Additionally, the tires on the prototype lacked the distinctive gold paint band seen on the concept.
A significant observation pertained to the Cybercab's charging mechanism. Despite Tesla's stated intention for the Cybercab to launch with inductive charging capabilities, the prototype was equipped with a conventional NACS charge port. This port, located unusually low to the ground rather than at the top of the rear driver-side fender like other Tesla models, requires the individual to stoop down to plug in, indicating its current reliance on traditional Supercharger stations for testing.
Perhaps the most revealing aspect of the prototype was its interior, which hinted at its current stage of development. Peering inside the test vehicle, a yoke-style steering wheel, complete with a Cybertruck logo, was found bolted to the dashboard with a bracket. This