Tesla fans are buzzing after a new sighting at Gigafactory Texas suggests that a long-awaited family vehicle might be nearing a U.S. release. Drone pilot Joe Tegtmeyer (@JoeTegtmeyer) recently captured footage of a mystery car hidden under a protective cover, parked in a testing lot alongside a standard Model Y and a Cybertruck.
“Giga Texas has a new “mystery” car under a cover & the wheels also masked off with white vinyl. Fortunately I was able to get a top-down view of this one,” Tegtmeyer noted. While the car was fully wrapped to hide its identity, the top-down perspective reveals a longer footprint than the base Model Y and an extended wheelbase that strongly point to the six-seat Model Y L.
Giga Texas has a new “mystery” car under a cover & the wheels also masked off with white vinyl. Fortunately I was able to get a top-down view of this one next to another Model Y & a @Cybertruck for comparison.
Any ideas what this might be? 😎 pic.twitter.com/nDckUKlrnI
— Joe Tegtmeyer 🚀 🤠🛸😎 (@JoeTegtmeyer) May 6, 2026
A Closer Look at the Model Y L
The Model Y L is essentially a “stretched” version of the best-selling SUV, debuting in China last summer for roughly $49,000 USD. It was designed specifically for families who find the standard Model Y’s third row a bit too tight. By adding 7 inches to the overall length and about 6 inches to the wheelbase, Tesla was able to create a true 2-2-2 seating layout.
A look at the new Model Y L with 6 seats and powered arm rests.
Unlike the cramped seven-seater we have in North America, the Model Y L features comfortable, adjustable captain’s chairs in the second row and a roomier third row. It also comes with a more premium interior, including a larger 16-inch central touchscreen and a suspension system tuned for a smoother ride. While it remained exclusive to China for months, the vehicle has expanded to Australia, New Zealand, and at least nine new Asian markets as of April 2026.
Not a Tesla App
Why This Sighting is a Big Deal
This Giga Texas discovery follows a separate sighting late last month, where a partially camouflaged Model Y L was spotted testing on U.S. roads for the first time on Interstate 280 in California. Seeing a completely built unit at the Texas factory suggests that Tesla is moving past early validation and into production planning for the North American market.
@JoeTegtmeyer
Elon Musk previously stated that the six-seat Model Y L wouldn’t make it to the U.S. until late 2026, if ever. However, Tesla is currently facing a gap in its lineup. The company recently officially closed orders for the Model X, which was its roomiest offering. Without a dedicated family hauler, Tesla risks losing customers to rivals like Rivian or Kia. Bringing the Model Y L to the U.S. sooner than planned would be a smart move to keep those families in the Tesla ecosystem while they wait for the “way cooler than a minivan” SUV Musk teased recently.
Is the Timeline Shifting?
While the Model Y L already received EU type approval in December, it still hasn’t launched in the region. However, with U.S. sightings now coming in quick succession — first as just a frame at Giga Texas, then on a California highway, and now fully built the very factory where Model Ys are built — the “late 2026” timeline is starting to look very conservative.
It makes a lot of sense for Tesla to prioritize this model. It’s already engineered, it’s already selling well overseas, and the demand for a true three-row SUV in America is far from negligible. We don’t have an official launch date yet, but seeing the “long boi” parked under covers at Giga Texas is the strongest evidence yet that an announcement could be right around the corner.