Tesla’s prototype vehicle development is always exciting, and the Cybercab’s development is one of the most exciting. A new engineering prototype for the Cybercab has been spotted, loaded onto a trailer at Giga Texas, providing one of our most detailed looks at how the development program and prototyping are progressing.
The sighting, captured by Giga Texas drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer, shows a form-over-function test mule equipped with numerous changes and temporary features for testing.
Cybercab sightings today at Giga Texas! I have a feeling we will be seeing more of these over the coming few months and then … a lot more! 😎 pic.twitter.com/WyhqCLjQQr
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) August 29, 2025
The sighting indicates that Tesla’s Cybercab program is progressing on schedule through its engineering validation phases, en route to the planned 2026 volume production. These engineering prototypes are key milestones for Tesla, as they transition from a concept to a physical vehicle undergoing the rigorous testing required to bring it to market.
Changes to the Cybercab
This is no polished show car; it’s a hard-working test mule, and the details reveal a vehicle being prepared for extensive real-world evaluation. A deeper look at the images captured by Joe reveals a long list of changes compared to the prototypes we’ve seen in person, whether at We, Robot, or any of the recent Auto Shows that Tesla has attended with the Cybercab across the world.
Licnese Plate Holder
First up is a front license plate holder. This is a first, as none of the vehicles we’ve seen so far have been equipped with a plate holder. This is a sign that Tesla may be preparing the Cybercab for legal road testing, which will likely require registered front and rear plates, depending on the jurisdiction in which the testing will be conducted.
Repeater Cameras & Mirrors
Next up are the repeater cameras. They’ve been relocated slightly from their original position, likely to ensure that they have a clear and unobstructed view when the vehicle’s large butterfly doors are open.
In another first for the Cybercab, this particular prototype has been fitted with physical side mirrors, an aid for real, human drivers. As the vehicles are designed for full autonomy, the final variant will not have them, but in order to adhere to federal road vehicle requirements, these testing vehicles must have them, whether they are used or not. There is a federal regulation coming to standardize and reduce the requirement for the presence of physical driver aides on autonomous vehicles, but it hasn’t been finalized yet.
Steering Wheel
In addition to the physical side mirrors, this one also has a temporary, bolt-on steering wheel. Lars previously mentioned that the presence of this temporary wheel is just for testing. It’s bolted on, plugged in, and only used for engineering testing. Also likely to adhere to those federal motor vehicle requirements, there are no window tints on the vehicle, allowing it to be tested on public roads.
Other Changes
There are also some other material changes to the design itself, including a new, unpainted black steel rim on the front, as well as a regular Cybercab rear wheel, minus the aero cover. In addition, there’s what appears to be a set of reflector lights installed above the wheel trims.
Rear Bumper
The rear bumper has also undergone some adjustments, becoming slightly flatter and higher off the ground than before, likely to allow for better clearance when navigating speed bumps or potholes. In the video, the frunk is also seen slightly ajar. While we couldn’t see inside from the side-on shot, it is visibly noticeable, and we’d love to see just exactly what Tesla has put under the hood here, because it likely isn’t additional storage space, but possibly the compute and cooling required for the vehicle.
Likely Destinations
The specific configuration of this prototype gives us a few clues about its potential destinations. A vehicle like this is usually built for a variety of physical tests that validate its core design and safety.
This means it’s likely headed for aero or wind tunnel testing, and then will make its way to crash testing later. These are mandatory steps for new designs to be deemed road-worthy, and Tesla needs to validate their new unboxed assembly process and determine if it can make vehicles even safer.
Regardless of the destination, the appearance of this testing mule is an indicator that the program is moving along through the phases of physical engineering validation. Tesla plans to begin volume production sometime in 2026, so these steps are absolutely critical to get the vehicle completed on schedule.
We might really begin seeing the first Cybercabs on the road sometime in the near future.
