Tesla Model 3 Highland May Be Announced This Month for North America; Performance Variant Underway

New Model 3 at Fremont

vanshv2003 / Reddit

Tesla appears to be set to roll out the new Tesla Model 3 for the North American market after sighting several refreshed versions, also known as Highland, at the Fremont factory. The vehicle successfully debuted in other global markets late last year, including Europe, China, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

Tesla may announce the start of Model 3 Highland deliveries as early as this month because the company’s Q4 and Full Year 2023 earnings call is on January 24th. That would provide an ideal platform for the official announcement and garner a lot of attention.

Sightings and Speculations

Before the dawn of 2024, the Model 3 Highland was seen multiple times across the U.S., as posted on Reddit. This further fueled speculation about its North American debut. Reddit user, vanshv2003 shared photos of a Model 3 Highland at the Fremont Factory, featuring Shanghai badges but a VIN indicating Californian manufacture. These sightings suggest that Tesla is preparing for the North American market and potentially for other markets.

Tesla's Model 3 Highland has already made waves in markets like China, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Europe, and the United Arab Emirates since its launch in August 2023. However, it was conspicuously absent in the North American market. While the company did go over its expected deliveries in 2023, there’s no doubt that many buyers are waiting for the latest design and technology that the refreshed Model 3 offers.

Performance Model

The performance variant of the Model 3 Highland has yet to be revealed, but rumors suggest that production has also started on this variant. It’s possible that it may even debut in North America first. The performance trim level is expected more unique than it was in its previous incarnation, with reports saying it’ll be “pretty special.” Instead of just including binned motors and an improved suspension and brakes, the new performance model is expected to stand out against its Long Range counterpart. Tesla is also expected to launch the new Model 3 in North America with a front bumper camera like the Cybertruck.

🎉NEW YEAR NEW FREMONT MODEL 3 🥳

This refresh Tesla Model 3 was spotted with Shanghai badges but the VIN shows it was built in Fremont (F factory designation).

Maybe we will see deliveries in Q1 as called by @Scobleizer. https://t.co/D5j4zwXe31 pic.twitter.com/mFUNeD35pj

— Matthew Donegan-Ryan (@MatthewDR) January 1, 2024

Model 3 Advancements

Cybertruck has been stealing all the headlines in North America for several months; you may need a refresher of everything the refreshed Model 3 offers. The range has increased by 11 to 12 percent, which equates to the rear-wheel drive getting 346 miles (554 kilometers) and the dual motor long-range getting 423 miles (678 kilometers). This is thanks to several things, including the lighter Model 3, now the most aerodynamic Tesla in the lineup at a stunning 0.219 drag coefficient down from 0.225.

The upgraded suspension provides a more premium ride with new springs & dampers, new geometry on the front suspension, new bushings, and a new way to mount the subframe to the chassis. Moreover, the tires now have more cushioning for an improved ride.

Tesla has made a 30% decrease in wind and ambient noise, a 25% improvement in impact noise, and a 20% improvement in road noise. This has been achieved by using acoustic glass on the rear and back windows (it was only on the front windows before), resulting in "360º acoustic glass". Additionally, more sound insulation has been added for a quieter ride. However, you won’t be able to hear the silent thanks to the new 17-speaker sound system, up from 14 speakers -- complete with two subwoofers and two amplifiers.

The list is endless. The introduction of the U.S.-spec Model 3 Highland couldn't be more timely, especially considering the current list of EVs eligible for the $7,500 tax credit. With the non-facelifted Model 3 and Model Y variants already enjoying this benefit, the arrival of the Model 3 Highland is poised to impact Tesla's market presence and consumer choices significantly.

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Tesla 'We, Robot' Robotaxi Event: How and Where to Watch [Updated]

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s Robotaxi event is coming up later today, and there’s lots of hype. It’s absolutely going to be a must-see event, so we’ve outlined how you can watch it tonight.

We’re even running a Robotaxi Event Prediction Contest – so go sign up to win some prizes from our fantastic sponsors.

If you weren’t one of the lucky lottery winners who managed to snag a ticket, there are a few ways to watch the Robotaxi event.

When

Tesla says the event will start at 10 PM EST or 7 PM PST. However, expect it to start fashionably late as usual. The agenda Tesla has provided is below.

Watch Live

The event is expected to be available on X, YouTube, and Tesla’s website. The links for X and YouTube are below. We’ll update this as the day goes along and Tesla adds additional sources.

• Watch the Robotaxi event live on X.

• Watch on YouTube (below)

Agenda

This is the agenda Tesla has provided. All times are PST.

3:00 PM: Parking Lot Opens

5:00 PM: Doors Open

5:30 PM: Check-In Begins

7:00 PM: Remarks

Watch in Tesla Showrooms

Tesla is also running events at its local showrooms worldwide. Many of these pop-up events have been organized by the Tesla showrooms or in conjunction with local Tesla Owner’s Club groups.

You can go to Tesla’s Events Page here and see if there are any showrooms open in your region. These events are in-person, and a good way to hang out with local Tesla fans and owners to watch one of the biggest events in Tesla’s history. If you don’t see an event listed, try calling your local Tesla showroom or contacting your local Owner’s Club. Other events may be running locally that you could attend.

Location

Warner Brothers Studios

3499 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 90068

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New Tesla Charging Visualizations Expected in the Future

Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s Alex Guichet, Mobile App Engineer and Designer, posted on X that they are hiring a new C++ UI Engineer. According to Alex, this position will be focused on building the charging UI in Tesla vehicles.

While the charging UI received some basic updates back with the big Spring Update, it hasn’t really seen major changes in a long time. So, let’s take a look at what this position is exactly, and dig into what we’d like to see in the future.

Senior Software Engineer

The position that Tesla is hiring for is a Senior Software Engineer, Vehicle User Interface Charging – working out of Tesla’s Global Engineering Headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The position will be specifically responsible for the look and feel of the user charging experience, focusing on Tesla’s in-vehicle Infotainment UI.

Tesla expects the position to also work alongside business, product, engineering, and design teams to build simple, intuitive, and fluid user experiences.

That’s a broad job description, but Tesla pays well for what it offers – with the position starting at $120,000 a year, up to $210,000 a year. If you’re interested in the position, you can read more and apply here.

Charging Visualizations

Tesla’s current charging visualizations are fairly simple and to the point, both in the app and in the vehicle. Adding some flare to both visualizations would certainly be nice. If Tesla’s new parked visualization in AMD vehicles is any indication, we’re in for a treat with these upcoming visuals. Tesla could even add different visualizations depending on whether you’re charging with a Supercharger, Wall Connector, Mobile Charger, or a third-party charger.

Imagine if Tesla implements some of these visualizations directly into the vehicle’s visuals. You could pull up to a Supercharger and see them rendered directly on the screen and maybe even see how much each vehicle is charged, so you have a better idea of which stall will be available first.

We’d also love to see better and improved integration for Charge on Solar and PowerShare. There’s certainly a lot Tesla can do.

We’re excited to see the future of the charging UI but don’t expect these changes anytime soon since Tesla just started hiring for the position. However, it’s great to know where Tesla is headed and what they’re planning.

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