Buried away in Tesla's design archives, we find the long-lost treasure in a one-off Model S Performance wagon prototype that engineers have called "Shooting Brake." Recently released photos and insider knowledge suggest what could be Tesla's coolest (and unreleased) vehicle: a 1,020 hp electric wagon, with Falcon Wing rear doors, and 400 mile range. Built in 2018 as a side project for the design team led by Franz von Holzhausen, this unicorn blended supercar acceleration with family usability.
Why This Tesla Wagon Would Have Won
The prototype was not just attractive - it had some serious tech too:
Dual Plaid Motors: Same 1,020 hp powertrain from the Model S Plaid
Falcon Wing 2.0: Back doors that opened up like the Model X (and actually functioned)
Hidden Storage: A front trunk large enough for golf bags in addition to a back ski pass-through
Track Mode: Air suspension that was adjustable for canyon carving
"Everybody who drove it begged Elon to produce it,"
The Human Story Behind the Prototype
This wasn't merely corporate research and development - it was labor of love:
Midnight Build: Engineers worked nights/weekends without the blessing of corporate.
Family Focus: Designed by a team member who wanted an EV to hold 2 child seats + a dog.
Elon's Reaction: Reportedly called it "sexy but niche" during a test drive.
The sole prototype now sits in Telsa's LA design studio and is used occasionally to ferry executives to school.
Specs That Still Impress Today
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
This wagon represents Tesla at its most daring – before production hells and shareholder pressures limited such flights of fancy. As one designer wistfully noted: "We built the perfect car for the 1% who appreciate driving dynamics and practicality." For now, it remains automotive vaporware, though rumor says a refreshed version occasionally appears in Tesla's internal design reviews.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): carbuzz
