The brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland is right here eventually. Rumored to be within the works for a loooooooong time, it was lastly launched right this moment — kind of. Does it reside as much as expectations? It will depend on what you anticipated from Tesla’s first thorough Mannequin 3 refresh. Let’s stroll by what’s new to see if it’s higher or worse than what you anticipated.
To start with, be aware that I’m getting all of this data from a new carwow video revealed simply two hours in the past. On the time that I’m penning this, Tesla doesn’t have the refreshed Mannequin 3 Highland featured on its web site* and there’s no announcement on its weblog. (In actual fact, there hasn’t been a brand new Tesla weblog since Could 8.)
New Exterior Design: Naturally, the Mannequin 3 Highland has a brand new look on the surface. It’s acquired sharper strains on the frontend/nostril, which helps with aerodynamics and wind noise (wind noise has been the #1 grievance in regards to the Mannequin 3 for a lot of homeowners and non-owners, however I’ll come again to that). The headlight design has additionally modified a bit, there are not fog lights down on their very own within the entrance, and there are new hubcaps (naturally). There’s a brand new purple and a brand new “stealth gray” within the shade choices, however they appear to be fairly much like the earlier purple and gray — particularly the gray.
New Seats: Tesla is lastly offering perforated/ventilated seats within the Mannequin 3! Woohoo! That’s within the entrance and the rear. Within the rear, Tesla has additionally shifted the seats into a bit extra of a reclining place.
Much less Noise: From higher supplies to extra supplies, Tesla has labored onerous to minimize wind noise within the new, refreshed Tesla Mannequin 3. Whether or not the corporate has had inner survey information, anecdotal expertise, or another data telling it that wind noise is likely one of the largest drawbacks of a Mannequin 3, plainly Tesla figured it out and improved on this weak spot. In fact, with out experiencing the brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland ourselves, we are able to’t take heed to attempt to hear and choose the change in comparison with earlier years. However the carwow host talks at size about these enhancements.
New Sprint & Steering Wheel: There’s additionally a brand new dashboard design within the Mannequin 3 Highland. And there’s ambient LED lighting up excessive subsequent to the windshield in addition to beneath the home windows. The lengthy horizontal factor of the sprint can come in numerous colours or supplies. After which there’s the steering wheel. The brand new steering wheel seems a bit completely different, and it doesn’t include any typical stalks for windshield wipers, signaling a left or proper flip, and many others. These at the moment are buttons on the steering wheel. … Lots of people gained’t be pleased with that change.
Improved Air Conditioning Controls: In the end, Tesla has absolutely cut up up the air-con vents within the entrance. If the entrance passenger doesn’t need the AC vent blowing on them, they will merely flip it off, even whereas the motive force can hold the AC on (or vice versa)! I do know — that is regular in each different automobile, but it surely wasn’t the case within the Tesla Mannequin 3 (and Mannequin Y).
Improved Touchscreen & Sound System: Each the touchscreen and sound system have been upgraded. The previous is now extra responsive and brighter, whereas the latter contains 17 audio system as a substitute of 13 now. Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity have additionally been improved.
Rear-Seat Display screen: There’s now a display screen for sure controls and options within the backseat. It seems to be a simple approach for backseat passengers to vary the airflow, music, and many others. You may even select from the infotainment leisure again there — Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, or Disney+.
Upgraded Heart Console: The entrance heart console has been redesigned barely, and that features including some aluminum to the trim to make it a bit classier.
New Suspension: The suspension has been modified in a number of methods. Reportedly, the main focus was on decreasing noise, however it’s higher usually and one would assume these modifications will assist with longevity of the elements as nicely.
Higher Aerodynamics, Higher Effectivity, Extra Vary: For individuals who assume that is largely superficial modifications, assume once more. Tesla reportedly modified ~50% of the Mannequin 3’s elements for this new Mannequin 3. The automobile is as much as 8% extra environment friendly and now has the most effective aerodynamics within the hyper-efficient Tesla fleet (Cd of 0.219, in comparison with its earlier 0.225 Cd).
The improved vary on a full cost comes out to 554 km (346 miles) or 678 km (423 miles), relying on whether or not you get the usual single-motor possibility or the long-range dual-motor possibility.
The Chinese language Tesla website has this new video of the refreshed Mannequin 3.
When will folks within the US have the ability to order?! pic.twitter.com/63ySmIoWPQ
— Jeremy Judkins (@jeremyjudkins_) September 1, 2023
The brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland goes on sale within the US in a couple of month. *In China, nonetheless, you possibly can already see and configure the brand new Mannequin 3!
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