Keeping a secret in the automotive community isn’t an easy task. New rumors evidently coming from those working on the updated Tesla Model 3 say that it’s packing a ton of improvements. If true, they could combine to be the biggest update to a Tesla model since the company began.
The updated version of the Model 3 has been the source of rumor for months. Dubbed “Project Highland”, we’ve known for some time that slightly tweaked exterior styling was on the table. Now, we’re getting word that the interior and software updates are even more dramatic.
Teslascope is a company that specializes in software that compliments Tesla ownership. Tesla employees can use the service for free and evidently, it’s Tesla employees that leaked this information to Teslascope. For instance, it’s confirmed that it’ll feature a new front fascia but also that it’ll have a new bumper camera that we haven’t seen details on.
Read: 2024 Tesla Model 3 ‘Project Highland’ Filmed Testing
In addition, it says that it’ll come with steer-by-wire with access to both the steering wheel and yoke. That single feature could make the yoke better to deal with as Tesla could tighten up the ratio on the fly. Rumor suggests that the interior will feature an emphasis on recycled materials.
Tesla’s HardWare4, the most updated version of the automaker’s semi-autonomous driving package, is part of the updated Model 3 and might end up incorporated into some of the last pre-update models too. The interior is said to get full RGB ambient lighting with new Matrix LED lights on the exterior.
What’s still up for a big debate is exactly when these updates are coming. Sources of these rumors claimed that we could see the production version anytime between next month (July) and sometime during the first quarter of 2024. That’s a huge window but it’s not totally outside of the norm for Tesla. Pricing is said to remain similar to the current Model 3.
If these rumors all turn out to be correct, there’s no question that this is the biggest model update in Tesla’s history. From its inception, it always made somewhat subtle changes on its own timeline with no real commitment to traditional model year updates. We hope these rumors are true as it would put more pressure on the rest of the market to raise their game.