Tesla to Replace Wood Trim on Model 3 With Non-woven Fabric

Tesla appears to be ready to replace the wood trim in some of its vehicles

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Tesla appears ready to replace the natural wood trim in the Model 3 with non-woven fabric. The wood trim has long been a hallmark of luxury cars, and it is often associated with a classic and timeless aesthetic. However, the look has started to look dated in vehicles, especially as many manufacturers have moved to fake wood to reduce costs.

With this move, Tesla may be embracing a more modern and sustainable design approach. Non-woven fabrics are often made from recycled materials and are designed to be more durable and longer-lasting than traditional wood.

Cost Cutting

According to Chris Zheng, which one of our sources later confirmed, Tesla is replacing the wood trim in the Model 3, and possibly other models with a non-woven fabric that will be significantly cheaper to produce. The move is in line with the company's efforts to reduce the costs of its vehicles and make them more affordable and environmentally friendly.

The wood trim has been a notable feature of the Model 3 since its inception in 2017, but it is also a costly one. By removing it and replacing it with fabric, Tesla can reduce the vehicle's manufacturing costs.

This is in line with the upcoming Model 3 revamp which is rumored to be centered around cost-cutting and is expected to be available later this year.

Environmentally Friendly

It is important to note that the move away from wood trim is not just about cost-cutting. While wood is a natural and renewable resource, its production and harvesting can have significant environmental effects. In contrast, non-woven fabrics are often made of recycled materials, which can help to reduce the environmental impact of vehicle production.

Tesla has always been committed to sustainable and eco-friendly design practices, and this change is in line with that philosophy. By using recycled materials and reducing the environmental impact of vehicle production, Tesla is staying true to its mission of creating a more sustainable future.

Different Colors

While the use of non-woven fabric in place of wood trim is a significant change, Tesla may also be considering using different fabrics for different models or trim levels.

In the Model 3 Tesla changes the trim based on the interior color of the vehicle. However, with the use of fabric, Tesla could increase the number of options available. Tesla could offer carbon fiber trim for the performance model, or white/black fabric based on the interior of the vehicle.

More Customization

However, they could go one step further. One of the often-mentioned downsides of owning a Tesla is the lack of customizable options. If Tesla wants to provide more customization options for its customers, it could offer a variety of trim colors, much like you'd pick the exterior color of the vehicle.

Tesla could also change the interior trim to match the exterior color of the vehicle to offer a more cohesive look. 

Which Models This Will Apply To

Tesla has often shared as many parts as possible between their models, especially 'sibling' vehicles such as the Model 3 and Model Y. While the Model 3 vehicle is the one spotlighted in news regarding Tesla's revamp, it's likely that many of the features that are being talked about for the Model 3 will also carry over to the Model Y.

While the Model S and Model X also include wood trim on the dash, doors and center console, it's not clear whether Tesla will take a similar approach to their luxury line of vehicles.

The decision to replace wood trim with non-woven fabric in Tesla's vehicles is a multi-faceted one. While it will help reduce costs and make their cars more affordable, it is also part of a broader trend toward sustainable design practices. 

A Closer Look at Tesla's Ambient Lighting Feature in the New Model 3 and Cybertruck [Video]

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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If you look up ambient lights for Tesla, you'll see several ads for third-party light kits. Perhaps this is why Tesla added its own Ambient Lights feature to the new Model 3. So, let's get enlightened.

Tesla's ambient lights are thin light strips that are embedded in each of the vehicle's doors near the top edge. It also curves around the dashboard near the windshield, giving passengers a near 360-degree light effect.

Supported Models

Tesla new ambient light feature is available on the new Model 3 (2024+), and will be available on the Cybertruck in a similar manner. With a refresh ongoing for the Model Y, known as Juniper, it will likely also have ambient lights. That just leaves out the most luxurious flagship vehicles, the Model S and X, for now.

The Model S and Model X could be due for a minor refresh that would not only add ambient lighting, but also include a front-bumper camera that the Cybertruck has and the new Model 3 is expected to have in the near future.

Customization

Tesla introduced a wrap-around ambient lighting strip to its new Model 3

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The ambient light settings allow you to light up the interior in a color that reflects your mood or preference. Under Controls > Lights > Accent Lights, you are handed the freedom to choose virtually any color to adorn the interior of your Tesla.

You have control over whether the ambient lights are on, off, or set to an "Auto" setting, though not fully clarified, seems to promise intelligent lighting adjustments akin to our control over dome lights, offering a reduction in reflections during drives.

While the ability to control the brightness level seems missing, Tesla did include color presets, letting you curate a series of your favorite colors.

It should be noted that the changes are confined to the light strips on the doors and dash, steering clear of the footwell lights and other interior lighting.

Future Enhancements

With Tesla, we can be assured there will be enhancements to this feature in a future update. In fact, the Tesla community is already busy coming up with useful suggestions. Some owners thought Tesla should take advantage of the lighting to provide driver feedback, such as automatically changing the ambient lighting to a red hue when there's a vehicle in your blind spot. Tesla could also glow the light strip on a door if it's not closed properly, or use the lighting to provide feedback when Sentry Mode is enabled.

Other uses could be more fun, such as cycling the light through various colors when the 'Rainbow Road' easter egg is activated.

Ambient Lighting in Action

While the possibilities are endless and Tesla engineers will surely have fun coming up with creative uses for the feature, the biggest improvement we can hope for in the near future is the ability to adjust the light intensity.

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Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Performance Details Discovered in European Documents

Tesla's new Model 3 received a host of exterior and interior upgrades

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Tesla outdid itself with the refreshed Model 3, known as the Highland. Despite all the fantastic upgrades, something is missing - the Performance version or perhaps the Plaid. The letter "T" has shown up on vehicle certificates in Europe, and despite Elon Musk's sense of humor, it is unlikely this is a Mr. T reference.

Deciphering the 'T'

A new document shows the new Model 3 Performance will have a dual motor

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Diligent scrutiny of the European Type Certificate, issued by the Dutch vehicle authority RDW and shared on the TFF Forum, revealed a subtle yet pivotal alteration — including the letter 'T' in the eighth digit of the Model 3 Performance's VIN.

This seemingly minor detail, indicative of the vehicle's motor/drive unit type, sparked curiosity and speculation on the forum. Could it be a tri-motor setup to usher in a new Plaid version of the Model 3? This vehicle has already got endless amounts of zip, but three motors? May The Schwartz Be With You!

This could also explain the Model 3+ badging that was spotted during the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China inspection of the refresh. However, the regulatory filings highlighted just two distinct variants of the car: a rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 194 kW motor and an all-wheel drive (AWD) dual-motor setup that combines to deliver a formidable 331 kW of maximum power.

Initial conjectures leaned towards the possibility of a tri-motor setup, drawing parallels with the Plaid variants of the Model S and Model X. However, a deeper dive into the certification document clarified that the Model 3 Performance retained its Dual Motor setup, dispelling the possibility of a tri-motor upgrade.

Strategic Enhancements: A Glimpse into Potential Upgrades

Given the documented specifications, it becomes plausible that Tesla has strategically enhanced one of the dual motors, potentially aligning it with the advanced motor found in the Model S/X Plaid. This modification is poised to augment the top-end speed and acceleration of the Model 3 Performance, addressing its comparative limitations in extended races against traditional gas-powered supercars.

Meanwhile, the Model 3 refresh has become the new Bigfoot of the roads of North America, with rare sightings posted on social media. However, it appears the continent is excluded from the initial launch of the Model 3 Highland. Internal communications within Tesla suggest North American enthusiasts might have to exercise patience until 2024.

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