Tesla just introduced two new paint colors, Quicksilver and Midnight Cherry Red. Giga Berlin specifically built a unique paint shop to offer these new colors. Elon has previously called Giga Berlin's new paint shop the "most advanced," offering "more layers and stunning colors that subtly change with curvature."
Unfortunately, these stunning new colors are exclusive to the Giga Berlin paint lines meaning these new colors are only available in European and Middle Eastern countries. Elon explains why these colors are only available at the Giga berlin paint shop:
"Only Giga Berlin can make these colors, as paint shop was specially built to apply many fine layers of paint, giving it complexity not otherwise possible."
When @TeslaownersSV asked if a new color could be added in the US as well, Elon simply replied "Yes".
Based on previous leaks in Tesla app updates, Tesla fans were expecting three new colors to be available in the future: Crimson Red, Mercury Silver Metallic and Abyss Blue.
It's not clear whether Tesla still plans to offer these exact colors, but based on their similarities to these two new offerings, it appears that Midnight Cherry Red has replaced the Deep Crimson color Tesla was considering and the new silver color may have had a name change or changed slightly. However, it's not clear whether Tesla still plans to offer Abyss Blue at some point in the future.
The new colors are more expensive than the previously offered gray (Midnight Silver Metallic) which was €1,600 and red multi-coat which was €2,000. Now, Quicksilver is €3,000 and Midnight Cherry Red is available for €3,200. The Euro is currently valued at a similar rate to the US dollar, so the prices in USD would be comparable.
Abyss Blue, which we have yet to hear more details about, could be the mysterious new color that Elon said would be offered in the US. If Abyss Blue becomes available, it'll likely replace Tesla's current blue shade, Deep Blue Metallic.
These new colors are only currently available on the Model Y, but that is likely to change as well as Tesla has traditionally shared their paint colors across all of its models.
Although these new colors are currently exclusive to the Berlin paint shop, Tesla rarely offers features only in a given region. By offering the same parts and features across all of its factories Tesla reduces costs through scale. Upgrading paint shops would come at a significant cost, so it's not surprising that Tesla isn't rushing to do this and may decide to couple it with other changes down the line.
I'd expect Tesla to start offering these new colors in other regions in the future, especially at Giga Texas which was built after their factory in Berlin.
What do you think?
What color would you like to see offered next? What do you think about the new Quicksilver and Midnight Cherry Red colors and their increased price? Let us know in our forum.
The Tesla Roadster 2.0 could be Tesla's next vehicle to hit production
Tesla
Tesla's Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, has designed the company's entire fleet of vehicles, but the Model S, 3, X, Y, Cybertruck and Semi are not his favorites. "My favorite one is the one that is coming.
I can't talk about (it)," von Holzhausen told CNBC. He then quickly pivoted the conversation away from that topic. Nevertheless, several rumored vehicles will be the next to carry the "T" logo. So, which one is the creative mind of Tesla referring to in his evasive answer?
Franz von Holzhausen Interview
Let's start with the suspects. A cheaper, smaller and less expensive electric vehicle has been predicted for years. More recently, there have been ideas about a van. And then there is the second generation of the highly anticipated Roadster. While von Holzhausen didn't talk about the next one, he did give some clues later in the interview. "My all-time favorite car is a '62 250 GTO (Ferrari). I mean, it is quintessential. It's an insane car. I'm also a big fan of this kind of wedge era. The early (Lamborghini) Countachs, the whole kind of flat, low sports car. Those were always the posters on my wall."
The Designer Loves Sports Cars
When a 54-year-old man reminisces about the cars featured in posters plastered on his wall when he was a kid, he is not excited about a van or a compact vehicle — no, he is excited about a sports car. The second-generation Roadster was unveiled in 2017 simultaneously with the Semi. But there hasn't been much mention of the sports car since. The company is just now delivering Semis, and Cybertrucks are expected in 2023, but the Roadster doesn't have an ETA. Or does it? The chief designer says, "… the one that is coming." So, we can only assume that the Roadster is next to hit the production line.
Tesla Roadster 2.0
A Designer Who has Changed the Industry
One of the first employees of Tesla back in 2008, von Holzhausen, recalls the early days and how things have changed. "There is a moment that I thought when I first joined Tesla that it would be great to see multiple Teslas in one drive experience around town. And now, it's hard to go anywhere without seeing a bunch of Teslas. So, it's great to see the impact that Tesla has had in people's lives but also how it's changed the industry. It really pushed this idea that an EV can be better than an internal combustion vehicle."
He also gave some insight into designing vehicles that have and continue to change the auto industry, "Tesla isn't beholden to what has been done in the past. We are always trying to push the boundaries and deliver on a promise of something fun, something enjoyable and something you would love to own and tell your friends about."
It looks like The Roadster could be the next fun, enjoyable vehicle to tell everyone about.
Tesla’s gearing up for a small "revamp" of its popular Model 3 vehicle, which is set to go into production in the middle of 2023.
According to Reuters, the revamp is called “Project Highland” and aimed at lowering the production costs and increasing the Model 3’s attractiveness and not because it needs a redesign. The Model 3 was launched back in 2017, and Tesla has already sold well over 1 million of them.
According to our sources, don’t expect a design overhaul of the Model 3, though. Instead, Project Highland will focus on reducing the number of components and complexity of the Model 3’s interior.
The main goal of this Model 3 revamp is to increase manufacturing efficiencies and reduce costs. Tesla would like to get the Long Range and possibly the Performance variants of the Model 3 to qualify for the US tax incentive for 2023. Under this tax credit, manufacturers’ suggested retail price for brand-new sedans must be less than $55,000. For SUVs, trucks and vans, the maximum price is capped at $80,000.
Our previous evaluation of the vehicles that would qualify include the Model 3 RWD, Model Y Long Range (AWD), and Model Y Performance. However, this will likely change once the revamp goes into production.
Do not expect new vehicle features to be added to the Model 3, such as a rear display, air suspension, or ventilated seats. These features would raise the price of the Model 3 and create a significant overlap between the Model 3 and the refreshed Model S.
Yoke Steering Wheel
One new feature that is possible in this Model 3 revamp is the introduction of a yoke steering wheel or more likely, a wheel similar to the Tesla Semi, which has capacitive controls and no stalks. The stalks are replaced with capacitive controls on the steering wheel and touch controls on the vehicle's display. We previously reported on this rumor in August.
Redesign Rumors
A few rumors are floating around online including a redesigned front bumper and removal of door handles in exchange for touchless doors like the Cybertruck and Roadster 2.0, although our source tells us that this is cool, but not accurate.
2023 Model 3 Update
Based on recent rumors -Bumper facelift (in line with Y/S/X) -No door handles, wing mirrors or ultra sonics (as Cybertruck) pic.twitter.com/GQ5k64bV4O
Over the past few years, Tesla has made significant efficiencies in the way it builds and manufactures vehicles. Recently, the Model Y switched to a single-mold front casting. This requires 169 fewer pieces and 1,600 fewer welds. To achieve this, Tesla is using its Giga Presses at its Berlin Gigafactory.
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