It’s been all quiet on the highlands for the past couple of weeks, as Tesla’s test engineers gave driving the soon-to-be-updated Model 3 on public roads a rest. However, a camouflaged test car has once again been spotted testing on public roads, revealing a variety of details.
The updated Model 3, code-named “Project Highlands,” was seen driving around California in recent days by Twitter user @klwtts. The photos show the wildly popular electric car wearing slightly less camouflage than we’ve previously seen.
That means that these photos show more of the tail and headlights than before. Although it’s still hard to get a good sense of what the car will look like when it drops all of its camo, it does at least suggest that the lighting elements will change when the car is updated.
Read: Tesla’s Updated Model 3 To Ditch Stalks And Use Touchscreen Shifter
New headlights and HW 4 cameras confirmed! pic.twitter.com/NLPkfVpDBl
— The Kilowatts 🚗⚡️ (@klwtts) June 6, 2023
These photos also serve to lend credence to a photo of an almost completely uncovered version of the Model 3 shared online in April. That car was a significant departure from the existing model, thanks to its simple but aggressive front end.
Model 3 Refresh
by u/ffiarpg in teslamotors
In addition, the rear-facing cameras, located on the front fenders, are more stylistically integrated into the body, with new design lines that stretch backward. Whether this decision will have any functional effect on the tools remains to be seen, but @klwtts suggests that it’s evidence that they will be updated “Hardware 4.0” cameras.
More: Our First Uncovered Look Of The Front Of The Facelifted 2024 Tesla Model 3
Previous reports have indicated that Project Highlands will make the Model 3 even more minimalistic, especially inside. Drone footage captured in May suggests that like the Model S and X, the Model 3 will lose any stalks behind the steering, and that all functions (even the gear selection) will be handled either by the steering wheel controls or the infotainment screen.
Simplifying the interior, and redesigning the exterior to more efficiently make use of Tesla’s “giga presses” should help drive down costs. The automaker has been leaning on its high-profit margins as pressure on the EV market from larger companies and an economic downturn causes other startups to falter.
Reports suggest that the updated Model 3 will enter production in September of this year in Shanghai and California. The car should be ready to be sold for the 2024 model year. A similar update to the Model Y is expected to follow soon after.