Leaked Photo Reveals Bold New Headlights for Tesla Model 3 Refresh, Project Highland

A leaked photo shows off the refresh Model 3, known internally as Project Highland

ffiarpg/Reddit

The Tesla Model 3 has become an icon in the electric vehicle market, so any changes to its design are sure to generate buzz. A recently leaked image on Reddit confirms a significant redesign of the Model 3's headlights, showcasing a daring new look that will capture attention.

This bold change to such a popular vehicle signals Tesla's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. Alongside the new headlights, the picture gives away a few other details. The Model 3 refresh, codenamed Highland, will see many other updates. Here's a summary of the significant changes expected.

Striking Headlight Redesign

The Reddit image offers a clear view of the updated Model 3's striking new headlights. This leaked image matches up with the details we received and reported on in our article, Project Highland Exposed. It also matches up with incognito Model 3s that have covered headlights, further validating the leaked image's authenticity.

The image also shows that the foglights are gone. It's unclear if they've been moved inside the new headlight or removed altogether. It's also worth noting that the front bumper shows no sign of ultra sonic sensors and Tesla will continue to rely vision for park assist. The Model 3 refresh is expected to have a camera in the lower-center of the front bumper, but unfortunately we're not able to see that from this photo as well.

The side mirror also appears slightly narrower than the current mirrors. Additionally, there is no "T" logo on the hood. Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen has talked about having less branding on future Teslas.

Additional Updates Expected for Model 3 Highland

We put together a story of all the changes that are part of the Highland and released it a few weeks ago. Here is a summary of that story, detailing the other new elements the leaked image didn't show.

Bumper Camera: A redesigned front bumper will house a single camera in the center area of the lower-vent area, addressing concerns about detecting objects in camera blind spots.

Rear Bumper: While the reason remains unclear, the rear bumper is also being redesigned.

Additional Cameras: The Highland will feature three new cameras — one in the front bumper and two on the sides of the vehicle, possibly aimed at improving visibility at certain intersections.

Sensors: The exterior temperature sensor will be removed and replaced with a GPS-based system. Additionally, Tesla is working on improving the GPS module for more accurate location detection.

Interior: Inside, the wood trim will be replaced with a fabric finish, and the dash will receive a facelift, though details are scarce.

With a bold new headlight design leading the way, the Model 3 Highland updates show Tesla's dedication to evolving its vehicles and staying ahead of the competition. The mix of cost-cutting measures and significant improvements, such as the addition of new cameras and updated hardware, will likely generate excitement among customers. Production is expected to begin in the third quarter, with Model Y's Project Juniper set to follow.

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Tesla Begins Gathering Data Near WB Studio for Robotaxi Event

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Tesla has begun extensive data collection in the WB Studio area over the last 4 days, according to Tesla hardware hacker @greentheonly. This comes just a day after news broke that Tesla intends to host their upcoming Robotaxi event at WB Studios, a city-like area with more than 110 acres of land, roads, and buildings.

Data Gathering

Tesla is gathering additional data in this area as vehicles drive around since most of the area is open to the public. Tesla could be gathering or confirming data to build composite maps, including everything from stop signs, intersections, and construction to bumps in the road to change suspension heights on the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck for additional comfort. While pre-mapped data may be frowned upon by some, it could be the equivalent of someone driving on a familiar road instead of one they’ve never driven on. Confidence and safety levels are usually increased the more familiar you are with the area. The same holds for autonomous vehicles, the more information they have on upcoming intersections and road types, the better they can perform.

This new data-gathering initiative in the WB Studio area is likely to facilitate the “learned experience” that Tesla’s FSD model builds over time in normal locations. The WB Studio area, including set pieces, filming areas, and residential areas likely aren’t highly frequented by Tesla vehicles, this is something that Tesla is doing with the intent of hosting the Robotaxi demos next month.

Previously, Tesla said that areas don’t need to be mapped by its vehicles, but once they are mapped, decision-making and route pre-processing improve. This is likely all being done to provide the safest, simplest, and cleanest experience to the attendees of the event.

Other Locations

Tesla is also gathering information throughout parts of San Francisco, the Bay Area, and areas like the Tesla Diner in Hollywood (updated photos). It seems that Tesla intends to introduce its future Robotaxi service in California first, before expanding outwards. Deep data collection like this isn’t unusual, but, interestingly, Tesla is doing it very intentionally.

For now, it may be that the initial Robotaxi rollout, whenever it does happen – will be geofenced to specific areas as Tesla works on the Robotaxi-specific pieces of FSD.

Event Sign-up

So far, we haven’t heard any news of how Tesla will distribute tickets for their Robotaxi event. They could use their referral system like they have in the past, or they may pick shareholders randomly. We should find out more soon as the event approaches.

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Warner Bros. City-like Movie Studio to Host Tesla Robotaxi Event

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According to an inside source who spoke to Bloomberg, Tesla will be hosting the Robotaxi reveal on October 10th at Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.’s movie studio in Los Angeles, rather than at Giga Texas, where they’ve normally held reveal events.

Hollywood Reveal

The Warner Bros. studio is a massive space, covering over 110 acres. The area has an array of different simulated city street scenarios generally used to record movies, rather than a large stage like at Giga Texas.

It seems that Tesla wants to demonstrate Robotaxi’s capabilities at Warner Bros. studio to attendees, where it will serve as a real-life simulacrum of what it will actually be like to request a Tesla Cybercab from the Tesla app, and then experience the actual ride from point A to point B.

Rather than testing on real city streets and closing off a huge portion of a town, or even setting up a local simulation outside of Giga Texas, Tesla has instead opted to use the pre-built facilities at the studio, which will provide a whole host of fairly realistic scenarios.  The 110 acres provide ample space for several Robotaxi vehicles to roam around on the grounds, without intruding on real traffic or impeding pedestrians for a system that currently is unapproved.

Tesla has been working diligently with municipal, state, and federal agencies to have Robotaxi in an approved state for its future launch, but this process will likely take some time. This is a pretty good alternative for getting people into real vehicles and taking them on real trips for a reveal event.

A part of Warner Bros.' Discovery Inc.

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Tickets and Attendance

So far, nothing has shown up through the usual sources for how to acquire tickets or when they will become available. Tesla may use the newly re-launched Referral Program, which also recently launched in Canada, to let attendees get tickets.

We’re hoping to find out more details on the exact cost, but if they use the referral system, it may cost three referrals ($1,500 USD). Tesla’s Cybertruck event was 30,000 credits, which was three referrals. Tesla will still require attendees to travel to the location themselves and work out all travel costs on their own.

Rivian recently launched its own referral system and is going to hold an all-expenses paid trip for its top 100 referrers, which includes flight, meals, and accommodations (visit our new Rivian site, Rivian Wave for details).

We’ve previously looked at awesome Robotaxi concepts, so take a look at them and let us know what you’re looking forward to in the forums. Perhaps we might even get more than a Robotaxi announcement… wireless charging would definitely be a fitting announcement.

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