The Model 3 refresh may come with ventilated seats according to the latest rumor
JayinShanghai
Tesla's pursuit of enhanced comfort in its EVs continues with a potentially groundbreaking addition to the upcoming Project Highland — ventilated seats. A new video on Twitter may be the latest change to the Model 3. This rumor, stemming from the Project Highland discussions, suggests that Tesla aims to introduce a feature that is available in the Model S and Model X to the Model 3.
The rumor mill began churning after a patent filing for "Enhanced vehicle seat ventilation and construction techniques" by Tesla last year, sparking speculation of this luxury feature making its way to more affordable models.
A Glimpse into the Future: Video Leaks and Test Vehicles
Evidence supporting the ventilated seats theory emerged from a video leak showing a Model 3 seat with distinctive perforations, a vital element of the seat ventilation process. The leak indicates that the fundamental seat design might remain essentially unchanged, while adding perforations will allow for enhanced airflow. While the video does depict a Model 3 seat with perforations and even a Tesla-branded cooling fan at the bottom, will these cooled seats be similar to the ones available in the Model S and Model X?
More Than Just Seats: Ambient Lighting and Sound System Upgrades
Project Highland doesn't stop at ventilated seats. Other rumored features include ambient lighting and an upgraded sound system. Ambient lighting, a sought-after feature by many Tesla owners, could finally make its way into the Model 3, elevating the vehicle's interior aesthetics. The upgrades in the sound system, while remaining under wraps, could include additional subwoofers, providing a richer sound experience for Tesla owners.
Speculations for the Model 3 Extend to Cybertruck and Model Y
The possible addition of ventilated seats to the Model 3 is more than an isolated upgrade — it could signal the direction for other Tesla models. With Cybertruck's production expected to start soon and the Model Y due for a refresh next year, these models might also get the ventilated seats feature.
Project Highland: A Gateway to Enhanced Luxury in EVs
While the updates are still in the realm of speculation, the possible additions highlight Tesla's commitment to bringing luxury car features into the EV world. The patented ventilated seats could provide unmatched comfort, especially for drivers in warmer climates. Alongside the rumored ambient lighting and sound system upgrades, these changes can substantially improve the driving experience, setting Tesla apart in the EV market.
As we eagerly await the unveiling of Project Highland's new design, adding these comfort-enhancing features could mark a significant milestone for Tesla, elevating the Model 3 to new heights of luxury and comfort in the electric vehicle industry.
Tesla’s recent focus on expanding and vertically integrating its battery production is beginning to take global steps, starting with a battery recycling and service center in South Australia. In Marion, a suburb of Adelaide, the council recently voted in favor of a proposal that would see contaminated public land developed and leased to Tesla.
The move promises local jobs and environmental remediation but has garnered a lot of public debate focused on Elon’s moves outside his role as CEO.
The proposal involves a site that’s currently unusable for recreation due to chemical contamination. A local developer plans to acquire and remediate the land, constructing a new facility specifically for Tesla. This site would reportedly serve two purposes: recycling old lithium-ion batteries and serving as a Tesla Service Center.
Tesla’s Commitment to Recycling
Tesla recently announced its intention to ramp up its battery recycling and repurposing efforts. During the Q1 2025 Earnings Call, Tesla’s executives highlighted substantial progress. Tesla had recycled enough materials in Q1 2025 to build approximately 21,000 Model Y RWD vehicles, representing a 136% year-over-year increase from Q1 2024.
Dedicated regional hubs like this one would be a logical next step in expanding the recycling loop and furthering Tesla’s vertical integration while also reducing its reliance on new materials. In addition, local sources also mentioned that Tesla could be repurposing older lithium-ion batteries for other purposes, including their inclusion in stationary battery storage systems like Powerwall or Megapack.
Of course, the facility also has major benefits for the local community, including creating around 100 local jobs, as well as injecting approximately $56 million into the local economy. Further, developing the contaminated land as a renewable facility is one of the safest ways to use the land that’s been sealed off from the public for nearly a decade.
Elon’s Image
The proposal isn’t without its critics. Local opposition was voiced during community consultations, with most of the negative sentiment directed towards Elon rather than the facility itself. Despite these complaints, the local council elected to proceed, arguing that tangible economic and environmental benefits far outweigh any perceived geopolitical or symbolic harm that shutting down the project could cause.
With the council’s endorsement on record, the proposal now moves to the South Australian state government for approvals regarding the change in land classification.
Tesla’s software updates often hide some undocumented features alongside the official release notes, and software update 2025.20 is no exception. With this update, Tesla has introduced a welcome quality-of-life improvement for the in-vehicle Dashcam Viewer. Users now have the ability to select and delete multiple clips at once (thanks, Max!). However, this addition is limited to the updated Dashcam Viewer for Ryzen-based vehicles.
While it may seem a small change, if you wanted to clear out your Dashcam clips, you’d have to either delete them one by one in the vehicle or remove your Dashcam USB drive and take it to a computer to erase all the clips at once. For those who frequently see Sentry Mode notifications or often record clips with their Dashcam, this is a useful addition.
This feature is currently limited to vehicles that have received the updated Dashcam viewer - which means vehicles equipped with AMD Ryzen processors (how to tell if you have Intel or AMD). This includes all Model 3 and Model Y vehicles with AMD Ryzen, as well as the 2021+ Model S and Model X vehicles.
Unfortunately, since the Cybertruck does not yet have access to the updated Dashcam viewer or support for the additional two cameras in Sentry Mode, it has not received this feature yet either.
This undocumented feature is a very welcomed addition for many users who carefully manage their Dashcam and Sentry Mode videos.
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