Is Model 3 Codename 'Highland' a Myth? Unpacking Elon Musk's Mysterious X Post

Highland Is Not Real

Not a Tesla App

A late-night Elon Musk post on X has this writer wondering if the Matrix has a glitch. For over a year, credible Tesla-focused websites and the mainstream media have referred to the Tesla Model 3 as the "Highland." But the company’s CEO says the Highland name “is not real,” although it has been seen in various Tesla documents. The cryptic message comes just 24 hours after the new Model 3 launched in North America. Is Musk simply joking, or is there a deeper meaning to his words?

It’s not real

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 11, 2024

The Speculative Origins of "Highland"

Reuters was the first to use the word Highland. On November 28, 2022, the news outlet ran an “exclusive” story citing “four people with knowledge of the effort” of a revamped version of Model 3 codenamed "Highland." The name made sense. Although the exact origin remains unknown, there were intriguing theories:

1. Historical Reference to Ford: Some believe "Highland" might refer to Ford Motor Co's Highland Park plant, the birthplace of Ford's revolutionary assembly line.

2. Cinematic Nod: Others speculate that the name could be a homage to the 1986 film "Highlander", known for its immortals' battle and the iconic line, "there can only be one." This theory aligns with Musk's penchant for movie references and quirky humor.

A few weeks after the report, the mysterious partially covered Model 3s appeared around California. The name Highland took off from there.

Musk vs. Mainstream Media: A Turbulent Narrative

Elon Musk's relationship with the mainstream media has been tumultuous, marked by a series of confrontations and criticisms. His stance has been particularly conspicuous since he acquired Twitter. This ongoing battle with the press can be seen as a backdrop to the "Highland" mystery, casting Musk's latest tweet in a different light.

Perhaps his dismissive comment about the "Highland" codename might not be a straightforward denial but a nuanced swipe at media credibility. Considering that Reuters, a major news outlet, was the first to report on Highland, it could be interpreted as a continuation of his broader skepticism towards media reporting, mainly when it involves narratives about Tesla.

This dynamic adds an intriguing layer to the story, where the "truth" of the Model 3 "Highland" becomes not just a matter of fact but also a symbol in the larger narrative of Musk's complex relationship with the media. As Musk continues to engage in this media tug-of-war, each tweet and statement becomes a potential chess move in an ongoing battle of narratives.

Tesla Community Reaction

Seriousness aside, the internet did not fail to bring a few laughs in the replies to Musk’s post. Some played with the idea of it being part of a grand simulation, adding a touch of sci-fi flair to the debate. Others jokingly asked if this was all just a clever trick or even a plot twist worthy of a movie. The popular “TMFINR” meme showed up a few times.

pic.twitter.com/pkPdUlUerL

— Shamara Myers (@Shamara_Myers) January 11, 2024

A few users leaned into humor and parody, echoing the playful skepticism that often accompanies Musk's cryptic messages. Amidst the laughter, there were genuine queries and theories, with several pondering if "Highland" was just an internal project name or something more.

Rumors and conspiracy theories weren't far behind, as some speculated about hidden meanings and possible secret projects. This led to various interpretations, from outright dismissal to earnest theorizing. Could it also have been used to identify who was leaking information? There are a lot of leaks! YoursYour's truly was reminded of a classic Creed line from The Office:

It all makes sense now. pic.twitter.com/FSdkR8TpzE

— Kevin Armstrong (@KVNArmstrong) January 11, 2024

Overall, the community's response was a lively mix of jest, confusion, and curiosity, showcasing the engaging and speculative environment that Musk's tweets often create. It's a unique relationship between Musk, his projects, and his audience, where a single tweet can ignite a spectrum of imaginative and playful discussions.

The Model 3 "Highland" story continues to blend mystery and speculation, fueled by Musk's latest remarks. The “Highland” name was used internally, as it has shown up in several internal documents, so Musk's post causes some confusion. Does he possibly mean that Highland isn’t a part of the (final) product’s name and shouldn’t be used by media to differentiate it from the previous generation?

Whether a clever ruse, a misunderstood codename, or a media misinterpretation, it is a fascinating example of Tesla's cultural impact. Dare we ask if Juniper is real?

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Tesla Says 12V Power Socket Access Will Not Return With Sentry Mode

Not a Tesla App

It turns out that the big undocumented change in Tesla update 2024.32 that disables the 12V power and USB ports while Sentry Mode is active is not a bug but an intentional change.

A fan contacted Tesla Service to see if the change was intentional and what the reason behind the change was. Surprisingly, they received a response pretty quickly.

No 12V Power Access

Tesla has decided to restrict 12V power access for safety reasons—namely, to “reduce the likelihood of thermal events” when third-party devices are left powered on without users present. Tesla reached out to the fan in question by phone, and they seemed to be sticking to that line.

It seems that Tesla is resolute that it was due to safety reasons and that the change would not be “fixed” or allowed in a future software update – as this was an intentional change for safety reasons.

Other sources have reported that the change was due to potential misuse of the 12V power access, with people wiring 1200w microwaves and kettles or jury-rigging 240v to 120v adapters, which had apparently been the cause of multiple fires in Tesla vehicles within China.

Workarounds

There are a couple workarounds, although neither are ideal. You can tap in to the vehicle’s 12v line directly to power your accessories, or you can use Camp Mode.

If you choose to enable Camp Mode, then you’ll need to manually lock the car from the app since walk-away door locking is disabled with Camp Mode. However, Camp Mode will use extra energy to keep the climate system enabled.

We’re still hoping Tesla considers bringing the Cybertruck’s Power Control menu to the rest of its vehicles and is somehow able to limit the max draw from these outlets to prevent dangerous situations.

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Join Our Tesla Robotaxi Event Prediction Contest

Tesla

With the Robotaxi event just a day away, we thought it would be a fun idea to run a contest to predict what Tesla will announce tomorrow evening.

We’ve outlined a list of questions below; simply answer them on our forums or social media (X or Threads), and be entered for a chance to win some great prizes.

The individuals who have the most correct answers will win one of five prizes mentioned below. If more than five people get them all right, a random drawing will be held from the pool of winners.

We’ll reach out to the winners either by email or by DM on social media.

The Questions

1. Will Tesla let attendees experience Robotaxi at the event?

2. Will Tesla first start the network with human supervision (ridesharing), or with Robotaxis only?

3. What year will the network start? When will it become fully autonomous? (if announced)

4. When will Robotaxi production begin? (if announced)

5. Will it be Robotaxi or Cybercab?

6. Which of these Robotaxi Concepts will be the closest to the one announced?

7. Will Robotaxi include:

   1. Front-facing camera?

   2. Stainless-steel body?

   3. Steer-by-Wire or No Steering Wheel? (if announced)

   4. Which current Tesla model has the most similar door-opening mechanism?

   5. How many seats will the robotaxi have?

8. Will the robotaxi include AI5/Hardware 5, HW4 or something completely different?

9. Where will Tesla’s first Rideshare/Robotaxi location be established?

10. Will customers be able to purchase a Robotaxi?

Requirements

Please use the template below to answer the questions on social media or in our forums. You can post your answer as a comment to our forums, to our X post, or to our Threads post.

Once you do that, repost or quote post your favorite article from us.

1. Yes

2. Ridesharing

3. 2025/2027

4. 2025

5. Cybercab

6. Dominic's

7. Yes, Yes, SBW, No, 2

8. HW5

9. LA

10. Yes

Prizes

Prizes are generously provided by Enhance and Jowua, makers of some of the best Tesla accessories and amazing Tesla community members. Prizes will be mailed out directly by them. Winners will get to choose their prize from the list below. First place will have the first pick and so on. There will be five winners in total.

• S3XY Buttons (including a commander and wiring)

• S3XY Knob for Model 3/Y

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

• Tesla Gaming Controller - Multi-Device Wireless Controller (Wireless Charging)

Disclaimer

This is a Tesla event, and Tesla normally likes to hold their cards close to their chest. If an answer is ambiguous, we’ll go with the best choice decided by our staff. We’ll do our best to be fair. This

With all that said, we wish our entrants the best of luck, and we’ll announce the winners at the end of the week.

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