---
title: "Watch This New Video of a Tesla Model 3 in Action"
description: "A Tesla prototype was caught on the road."
date: "2017-03-14"
modified: "2017-11-30"
authors:
  - name: "June Javelosa"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/javelosa-junegmail-com"
url: "https://futurism.com/watch-this-new-video-of-a-tesla-model-3-in-action"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "Tesla"
tags:
  - "elon musk"
  - "Model 3"
  - "tesla"
---

# Watch This New Video of a Tesla Model 3 in Action

![model 3 tesla elon musk](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Your_First_Glimpse_of_the_Tesla_Model_3_Prototype_In_Action.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.tesla.com/" target="\_blank"\>Tesla\</a\>\</em\>*

Ahead of the much-anticipated [Tesla](<https://www.tesla.com/>) [Model 3](<https://futurism.com/4-elon-musk-dashes-hopes-of-100-kwh-model-3>) launch later this year, a prototype for the carmaker’s $35,000 sedan was spotted cruising around California streets.

A video of the vehicle in motion was posted online by [Unplugged Performance](<https://unpluggedperformance.com/>), a Tesla-centric mod shop located near Tesla's Design Studio in Hawthorne, California. [According to the Unplugged team](<http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-spotted-testing-outside-spacex/>), the vehicle appeared to be conducting test runs around Jack Northrop Avenue, which is where the Model 3 did its test rides when it was first unveiled in 2016.

Pilot production for the Model 3 only [began in February](<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-model-idUSKBN15N2W7>), which means that the Model 3 in the video was likely hand-built specifically for the unveiling held in March 2016. Model 3 battery cell production is set to begin in the second quarter of this year, implying that sightings of Model 3 test units will become more common later in 2017 as production continues to ramp up.

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/model-3-car-prototype.jpg>)

While Tesla is gunning to release the vehicle this year, it should be noted that the company has a long history of product delays, which means there could be a chance the release will be pushed. Nevertheless, Elon Musk has gone on record as saying that the Model 3 requires a simpler manufacturing process, which should make it easier to ensure quality control for its production.