In a shocking announcement that’s sending shockwaves across the automotive world, Elon Musk has just unveiled Tesla’s latest brainchild — the Model Q, an electric vehicle priced at an eye-poppingly low $13,999. Yes, you read that right. A fully electric, feature-packed Tesla for less than the price of a used Honda Civic.

And the internet is already losing its mind.

Too Good to Be True? Critics Think So.

Elon Musk, known for his larger-than-life promises and sci-fi-level ambitions, teased the Model Q at a surprise press event in Austin, Texas last night. The compact EV, slated for release in early 2026, is being hailed as a “people’s Tesla” — an affordable, sustainable car meant to make electric driving mainstream globally.

The catch? Some experts claim there must be one.

“No way a car like this can be made profitably at that price, even for Tesla,” said Alex Vinter, an industry analyst at AutoTrends. “Unless it’s missing essentials or is heavily subsidized.”

But Musk, never one to back down from controversy, doubled down.

“It’s real. It’s happening. And it’s going to disrupt every legacy automaker on Earth,” he declared on X (formerly Twitter), sparking both admiration and skepticism.

What’s Inside the Model Q?

The features Musk claims for this $13,999 EV sound almost too good to be true:

200-mile range on a single charge

Full self-driving capabilities (pending software updates)

Minimalist AI-powered cockpit with voice-only controls

Bioweapon Defense Mode (yes, the air filtration system from the Model S makes a comeback)

OTA software upgrades and gaming via Tesla Arcade

And, controversially, no steering wheel or pedals — Musk insists the Model Q will ship with full autonomous control, with manual controls offered as an optional add-on.

“The era of human drivers is ending,” Musk tweeted this morning, instantly trending worldwide.

Industry Fallout and Legal Backlash Brewing

Regulators in Europe and the U.S. have already signaled concern over the prospect of mass-market, fully autonomous vehicles without physical controls.

Consumer advocacy groups are also up in arms.

“Tesla is playing with public safety for hype and stock prices,” said Laura Menken of the Road Safety Alliance. “Until full self-driving is flawless, this is reckless.”

Meanwhile, Tesla stock soared 14% in pre-market trading.

The Big Questions

Can Tesla really deliver a $13,999 EV with these features?

Will regulators even allow a steering wheel-free car on public roads?

Is this a revolutionary democratization of electric transport or Musk’s most dangerous gamble yet?

One thing’s for sure — the Model Q has already made history, whether it flops or flies.