Tesla 'Farzad' Spotted in San Antonio: 5 Details That Matter

Tesla spotter Joe Tegtmeyer got an unusually close look at several unidentified Tesla vehicles — referred to by the codename 'Farzad' — parked in the back lot of the San Antonio sales and service center on August 8. The cars were fitted with what he describes as a test steering wheel and pedal kit, and he captured video of the rear hatch as well. It's a rare ground-level glimpse at hardware that Tesla hasn't officially acknowledged.

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1. The Codename 'Farzad' Hasn't Been Officially Confirmed by Tesla

Tesla doesn't publish internal codenames, and 'Farzad' hasn't appeared in any official release notes, regulatory filings, or press materials as of this writing. Spotters and community researchers have been using the name to refer to what appears to be a distinct, unidentified vehicle platform — but without official confirmation, we don't know whether it represents a new model, a significant variant, or something else entirely. The presence of multiple units at a service center suggests this is well beyond a one-off prototype stage.

2. Multiple Units Were Present — This Isn't a One-Off Prototype

Tegtmeyer noted 'several' Farzads in the back lot, not just one. That detail matters. A single mule can mean early feasibility testing; multiple units at a regional service center typically indicates a more advanced validation phase — the kind of pre-production testing where vehicles are being evaluated across real-world service infrastructure. It also raises the question of how long these vehicles have been circulating without public notice.

3. The Test Steering Wheel and Pedal Kit Is the Most Significant Hardware Detail

Every unit Tegtmeyer observed was equipped with what he describes as a test steering wheel and pedal kit. This is notable context given that Tesla's board chair Robyn Denholm stated in October 2025 that the Cybercab — Tesla's next affordable vehicle — could be equipped with a steering wheel and pedals to meet regulatory requirements. Whether 'Farzad' is related to the Cybercab program or a separate platform, the presence of test control hardware suggests Tesla is actively evaluating human-operable configurations on this vehicle.

4. The Rear Hatch Detail Hints at Body Style

Tegtmeyer also captured a short video clip of the top of the rear hatch. While the footage hasn't been fully analyzed at publication time, the hatch geometry is a meaningful clue — it can help narrow down whether this is a sedan, hatchback, crossover, or something new. Tesla's current lineup uses distinct hatch profiles across models, and any deviation from known shapes would point toward a genuinely new body style rather than a variant of an existing platform.

5. San Antonio as a Test Location Is Deliberate

Tesla doesn't park test hardware randomly. San Antonio is home to one of Tesla's larger sales and service operations in Texas, and Texas itself serves as a key testing ground — it's where Cybertruck deliveries launched, where Tesla's corporate headquarters relocated, and where real-world driving conditions (heat, highway speeds, mixed urban-suburban environments) stress-test vehicles in ways that California roads don't always replicate. Spotting multiple Farzad units here, rather than at Fremont or Giga Texas directly, suggests these vehicles are past the closed-track phase.

What exactly 'Farzad' is remains an open question. The combination of multiple units, installed test control hardware, and a service center location points to a vehicle that's further along in development than a typical spy shot subject. Whether it connects to the Cybercab program, a new affordable model, or something else in Tesla's pipeline, this sighting is worth tracking closely.

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This report was curated by the BASENOR Editorial Desk from the sources listed above. Read our editorial standards or email editorial@basenor.com to report an error.