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Tesla Model X Sightings and Spy Shots Gallery

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Elon Musk has confirmed that first deliveries of the Model X to early reservation holders will take place by September. However with the Tesla Model X design studio not yet available, and with no official announcement that the Model X has even reached the final design phase, we thought it would be fun to create an ongoing list of recent sightings and spy shots of the Model X.

Join in on the fun and share your photos of the Model X (and any news from the rumor mill) through the comments section below. Or email us at Teslarati.com Leaf Logo tips@teslarati.com.

 

  • Location: Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: August 29, 2015
  • Description: A very first close up look at the Tesla Model X as caught on cell phone. A brave pedestrian courageously approaches the, previously covered in white transport wrap, blue Model X, and attempts to film around the vehicle, nearly catching a glimpse of the interior before it takes off from the traffic light.
  • Source: YouTuber Missy P

 

  • Location: San Jose, CA
  • Date: August 27, 2015
  • Description: A black Tesla Model X with falcon wing door, partially ajar, is seen driving down Hwy 85 in San Jose, CA. Illuminated rear brake lights seen on the retractable rear spoiler.
  • Source: Submitted by Sameet via tips@teslarati.com

 

  • Location: Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: August 17, 2015
  • Description: The first sighting of a blue colored Tesla Model X with protective plastic wrap. See the video.
  • Source: Submitted by Instagram user SiliconValleyTeslas
[Source: SiliconValleyTeslas via Instagram]

[Source: SiliconValleyTeslas via Instagram]


 

 

  • Location: Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: July 31, 2015
  • Description: A rare sighting of the Model X next to a Model S is spied on Page Mill Rd. near Tesla headquarters.
  • Source: Submitted by Instagram user SiliconValleyTeslas

Model-X-S-size-comparison

 


  • Location: Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: July 31, 2015
  • Description: Model X Falcon Wing doors begin to take shape as delivery nears. See spy photos of the Model X leaving Tesla Headquarters.
  • Source: Submitted by Lee

Tesla-Model-X-Palo-Alto-07312015-1

 

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  • Location: Gilroy, CA
  • Date: July 22, 2015
  • Description: Tesla Model X hauling a dump trailer with unidentified freight down Hwy 101 Northbound in Gilroy, CA. Read more
  • Source: Submitted by Darin

Tesla-Model-X-Towing-Freight-Gilroy-2Tesla-Model-X-Towing-Freight-Gilroy-1

 


  • Location: Chandler, AZ
  • Date: July 20, 2015
  • Description: Video of a dirt covered Model X sparks rumors that Tesla is performing off-road testing of the electric crossover. Read more
  • Source: YouTube

Tesla-Model-X-Off-Road-HitchTesla-Model-X-Off-Road-Tires2 Tesla-Model-X-Off-Road-Tires Tesla-Model-X-Off-Road-Hitch2

 


  • Location: Berkeley, CA
  • Date: July 21, 2015
  • Description: New images (and video) surfaces of the Model X being tested with an active rear spoiler. Active spoilers and active aerodynamics have been used by performance carmakers for decades as a way to reduce drag coefficient by way of smoothing out airflow across the contours of the vehicle, but also as a way to increase downforce for added performance. The Model X is said to have range equivalent to the Model S and in order to achieve that goal, especially on a heavier and larger vehicle, Tesla will be outfitting the X with the new 90kWh battery pack and presumably the best possible aerodynamics in its class through the use of the active spoiler. Lower drag equates to less energy needed to propel the car forward at a given speed, and ultimately ensures maximum battery range.>>>> [VIDEO] Digital Wind Tunnel Technology Behind Tesla Model S Aerodynamics

Model-X-Active-Spoiler
Model-X-Active-Front-Sensor Model-X-Active-Spoiler2

Fair warning: The owner of the cell phone video shot it while rotating the device making the video a little difficult to watch.

 


  • Location: San Jose, CA
  • Date: July 15, 2015 @7:15 pm
  • Description: Randy Frei was driving down 280 South in San Jose, CA, near the Stevens Creek exit, when he came across the Tesla Model X. This is the first sighting of the Model X, submitted exclusively to TESLARATI, which shows testing equipment attached to the front contours of the vehicle. Other points worth noting are the taped gaps between the front body panels and the sharper nose design.
  • Source: Randy Frei

 

Model-X-Sensors-San-Jose Model-X-Sensors2-San-Jose Model-X-Front-San-Jose

 

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  • Location: Petaluma, CA
  • Date: June 18, 2015
  • Description: A side by side size comparison of the Model S and pre-production Model X posted by a member of Stocktwits.
  • Source: User TslaUp via Stocktwits, Facebook

Model-X-Petaluma-size-comparisonModel-S-vs-X

 


  • Location: ???
  • Date: June 13, 2015
  • Description: The Model X falcon wing door is seen opened on the same test mule car that’s been spotted testing across Tesla headquarters. According to a reddit user (account has since been deleted by the user), presumably a contracted engineer working on the Model X, the user writes “Spent some time behind the wheel of a Tesla Model X today!”
  • Source: Reddit

Updated June 26, 2015: The picture has been removed at the request of the user who originally posted the image.

 


  • Location: Hwy 280N, Los Altos, CA
  • Date: June 5, 2015
  • Description: According to YouTube user kenken830, “Spotted on Hwy 280N in Los Altos Hills, California on June 5th, 2015 6:39 PM PD. No camouflage.”
  • Source: kenken830

 

 


  • Location: CA
  • Date: May 27, 2015
  • Description: A white Model X is seen testing on the streets with, what appears to be, new body panels. It’s questionable as to whether this will be the final version of the electric crossover, slated to go into production in a few months.
  • Source: 60grayev

White-Model-X-Testing-052715
White-Model-X-Side-052715
White-Model-X-Side2-052715


  • Location: Foothill Expwy and Page Mill Rd. near Tesla Motors HQ in, Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: May 8, 2015
  • Description: A quick glimpse of the Model X interior shows that it’s largely the same design as the Model S. The large center touchscreen has been recessed under the protrusion of the center dashboard, identical to that of the Model S.
  • Source: nbkagzw13

 

 

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  • Location: Rt 101 @ “near the University exit” by Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: May 4, 2015
  • Description: The contours of the Model X seen from the picture closely resembles that of the Model S. According to Ron’s comment from his Google+ page, the Model X “looks like a Model S with a pug nose. And the front had the classic black oval from the Model S.”
  • Source: Ron Tailan

Black-Tesla-Model-X-Palo-Alto

 

 


  • Location: I-280 near Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: Exact date unknown. Approx. Apr 21, 2015
  • Description: Tesla Model X appears to be testing a lane departure system which automatically steers the car away from the shoulder and back into the lane.
  • Source: Yann Kerhervé

 

 


  • Location: I-280 near Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: Exact date unknown. Approx. Apr 3, 2015
  • Description: This appears to be the same test mule seen across much of Northern CA near Tesla Motors headquarters. Worth noting is the misaligned falcon wing doors, blacked out rear windows, fender flares and the trailer hitch.
  • Source: Reported on imgur.

Tesla-Model-X-Sighting-I280

 

 

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  • Location: Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: Mar 19, 2015
  • Description:
  • Source: YouTube user nbkagzw13 spotted the Tesla Model X testing on the streets near Tesla’s headquarters in Palo Alto, CA.

 

 


  • Location: TBD
  • Date: Mar 10, 2015
  • Description:
  • Source: Instagram user >@moriahdanielle

Model-X-Black-Wheels


  • Location: Arastradero Road leading to Tesla Motors HQ in Palo Alto, CA
  • Date: Feb 26, 2015
  • Description: “Tesla Suv out for a ride on 280, aka the test track.”
  • Source: Twitter user @JKDmobile

 

 


  • Location: CES 2015 Las Vegas, NV
  • Date: Jan 5, 2015
  • Description: Tesla Model X sighting at the Panasonic booth at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. [See the video]
  • Source: YouTube TechVideo channel

Tesla Model X sighting at CES 2015 (falcon wing doors)

Tesla-Model-X-Seating-CES-2015Tesla-Model-X-Interior-CES-2015 Tesla-Model-X-Touchscreen-Display-CES-2015

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Tesla Model Y Performance gets positive review from Swedish auto outlet

The refreshed Model Y Performance model receives unique bumpers, red brake calipers, new wheels, and a carbon fiber spoiler.

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Credit: Tesla

It appears that Tesla has created something special with the new Model Y Performance. The vehicle, which was released earlier late August, has started receiving rave reviews, some of it even from publications that tend to be critical of the EV maker and CEO Elon Musk.

Model Y Performance impressions

Swedish automotive outlet CarUp.se has given the updated Tesla Model Y Performance high marks, highlighting its redesigned sport seats as a standout improvement. Tesla implemented a number of key improvements to the Model Y Performance, such as its redesigned sports seats, which now feature powered thigh extensions like those found in the Model Y L from China.

To summarize, its review, the publication noted that “In addition to making you sit like a king, (the Model Y Performance) is also extremely fast at red lights.”  The publication highlighted that “the exterior of the Tesla quickly reveals that it is a Tesla Performance model and there is no doubt that it is a really good-looking electric car.” This is quite impressive considering that the previous-generation Model Y Performance looked quite tame compared to the Model S and X Plaid and the Model 3 Performance.

Tweaks and improvements

The refreshed Model Y Performance model receives unique bumpers, red brake calipers, new wheels, and a carbon fiber spoiler, which together give the crossover a more athletic appearance. Performance badging and projection lighting further distinguish it from other Model Y variants. Inside, the upgraded front sport seats deliver noticeably improved support compared to the standard version, enhancing the vehicle’s balance of comfort and sportiness.

The new Model Y Performance deliver 460 horsepower and a top speed of 250 km/h, while consumption is listed at 16.2 kWh/100 km and range at 580 km WLTP. The crossover also benefits from adaptive suspension with preset damping modes. Manufactured at Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, the Model Y Performance is currently available in Europe and the Middle East, with deliveries expected to start in the next 1-2 months.

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Tesla Model Y leads sales rush in Norway in August 2025

The surge was led by the new Tesla Model Y, which has proven to be quite successful in the European country.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla posted strong results in Norway this August. The surge was led by the new Tesla Model Y, which has proven to be quite successful in the European country. 

Tesla’s excellent August

Data aggregated by TeslaStats.no suggested that Tesla saw 2,959 vehicle deliveries in August. This represents a notable 38.59% year-over-year increase compared to the 2,135 vehicles that were delivered by the electric vehicle maker in August 2024. Estimates from EU-EVs also indicated that Tesla sold 2,450 Model Ys in August 2025, making it the country’s top model.

Tesla’s domination in Norway was so notable that even with several days left in August, Swedish automotive outlet CarUp estimated that Tesla already held about 22% of the country’s auto market. This was very impressive considering that Tesla saw headwinds in Europe earlier this year due to the changeover to the New Model Y and negative sentiments about CEO Elon Musk.

Existing momentum

Tesla’s momentum in Norway has been notable for some time. In June, registrations rose 54% year-over-year, according to the Norwegian Road Federation (OFV). The Model Y was the standout, recording a 115% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Growth was even sharper in May, when Tesla sales surged 213%, CNBC noted.

Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association (NEVA), attributed the brand’s success to the refreshed Model Y and its practical appeal. “I think it just has to do with the fact that they deliver a car which has quite a lot of value for money and is what Norwegians need,” Bu said. She pointed to features such as spacious cargo capacity, all-wheel drive, towing capability, higher ground clearance, intuitive digital systems, and Tesla’s established charging network as key factors.

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Tesla dominates JD Power tech survey with double VW’s score, but gets no award

Tesla was not eligible for awards because the company did not “meet study award criteria.”

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has emerged as the clear leader in JD Power’s latest technology survey, dominating with a score twice that of veteran automakers like Volkswagen. 

This was despite Tesla not receiving any official awards in the survey due to eligibility issues.

Survey results

As per JD Power, its 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study collected responses from 76,230 owners of new 2025 model-year vehicles. This was the 10th year that the auto firm has conducted its study. Based on the raw scores of automakers in the survey, Tesla was the clear winner with a rating of 873 points out of 1,000. As noted in a CarUp report, Tesla’s ratings was more than twice as much as veteran automakers like Volkswagen or Toyota, which scored 432 and 436 points, respectively.

Rivian ranked second in the results with an impressive 730 points out of 1,000. That being said, JP Power noted in its press release that both Tesla and Rivian, the two highest-scoring automakers in its survey, are not eligible for awards because the companies do not “meet study award criteria.” In its report, CarUp alleged this criteria required automakers to be sold in all U.S. states. 

As a result, Genesis was officially awarded the top rank in JD Power’s study despite its 538 score. Following Genesis was Cadillac, which received a score of 526, and Lincoln, which received a score of 523 out of 1,000.

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Driver insights

According to JD Power, technology-related problems reported by drivers decreased by 6.3 per 100 vehicles compared to last year, contributing to a stronger user experience overall. Respondents identified automatic climate control as one of the most appreciated features, thanks to its ability to manage heating, ventilation, and air conditioning seamlessly.

“Smart technology not only seems to anticipate the driver’s needs but also reduces the cognitive workload and some of the difficulties that drivers face with digital systems,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of technology at JD Power.

Car wash mode, a feature meant to prepare vehicles for automated cleaning, was a frequent source of frustration due to its placement within infotainment menus. Drivers also voiced concerns over recognition systems that occasionally malfunction. In contrast, the blind spot camera received widespread praise, with 93% of drivers reporting regular use and 74% stating that they would like the feature in future vehicles.

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