Model 3 Project Highland concept based on a potential leak
Cybrtrk420/Twitter
The anticipation surrounding Tesla's forthcoming Model 3 refresh, known as "Project Highland," has reached fever pitch, and the latest drone footage from the Fremont test track only adds to the excitement. The video reveals a vehicle boasting a steering wheel design similar to the Tesla Semi and the Model S. Perhaps even more intriguing is the absence of traditional stalks, lending credibility to rumors of an innovative shift towards on-screen controls for shifting between park, drive, and reverse modes.
A New Vision for Interior Design
The drone footage (video below) reveals more than just a new steering wheel design. The door trim, intriguingly, appears to be concealed. This design choice suggests that Tesla might be rethinking how the dashboard design integrates with the door, potentially creating a more unified, aesthetically pleasing interior. We previously reported that the wood grain would no longer be available in the latest version.
The video also reveals that "smart shift" is coming to the Model 3 refresh. At the 3-minute, 20-second mark of the video below, you can see a closeup of the driver swiping the display downward to shift the vehicle into reverse. Almost immediately afterward, the vehicle is backing up.
What's not immediately clear, is whether Tesla will add smart shift to current Model 3 and Model Y vehicles as well, or if it will be exclusive to Project Highland and Project Juniper.
Illuminating Changes: Reverse Lights and Trunk Lid
One of the most revealing aspects of the footage was a noticeable change at the vehicle's rear end: the reverse lights now appear lower in the bumper. This change aligns with our previous reports, confirming that Tesla is indeed revisiting the design of these critical safety features.
The plot thickens with rumors of a leaked new trunk lid design that suggests a transformation of the rear lights into a slimmer look. The observed shift in the positioning of the reverse lights lends some credibility to these rumors, although we await official confirmation from Tesla.
The Path Ahead: Production and Expectations
While Tesla China has publicly refuted rumors of starting trial production at Giga Shanghai next month, such denials often occur before significant launches. These recent revelations seem to align with previous reports, suggesting that Tesla might be gearing up for mass production of the Model 3 refresh by Q3.
Driver seen shifting the Model 3 refresh into reverse using smart shift
Caliber197/YouTube
The Model 3 refresh, with its potential groundbreaking design changes and anticipated advanced technology integration, is set to redefine Tesla's standing in the auto industry. As we await further details, these early glimpses paint a picture of a vehicle that blends innovation, aesthetics, and functionality, promising a new chapter in Tesla's legacy of electric vehicle design.
The Cybertruck is having an eventful November. Just last week, we shared the news that Tesla isn’t offering their in-house wrap service for the Cybertruck anymore; the Foundation Series is now available in inventory in select US locations, Crossbars have arrived, and faster charging is around the corner. Now there’s even more to discuss about the stainless steel beast.
Projection Puddle Lights
Like the recently launched puddle lights for the Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla has introduced a set of add-on Projector Puddle Lights for the Cybertruck. These Cybertruck-specific ones go for $75 USD, or $105 CAD and are available in both the Canadian and US Tesla stores.
However, these don’t have the Tesla wordmark - instead, they feature the iconic Cybertruck symbol and, in our opinion, look even nicer. Here’s to hoping Tesla also introduces a set with the graffiti-style Cybertruck wordmark.
Powershare in Canada
While the Foundation Series Cybertruck has been getting delivered in Canada since November 7th, there was no news on Powershare being supported due to regulatory constraints. On the 20th, Foundation Series owners in Canada began to receive emails to get their Powershare installs started through Tesla’s official installer - Qmerit.
More to follow on pricing and the process as we receive our Canadian quote from Qmerit soon.
FSD in Canada
The Cybertruck Program Manager, Siddhant Awasthi, confirmed that with Powershare now becoming available, FSD for the Cybertruck in Canada will also become available soon. Canadian trucks shipped with a factory software build that didn’t include FSD, but did include TACC and stoplight/traffic control.
Early this morning Tesla began rolling out a new version of FSD 12.5.5.3 for the Cybertruck, which is update 2024.39.5. Will this be the version that rolls out in Canada?
Following Integrated Flight Test 6 for SpaceX’s Starship, Elon Musk confirmed that uncrewed Starships are likely to begin making their way to Mars in about 2 years. You’re probably going to ask what’s going to be in those Starships - that’s what Brett Winston on X asked as well. Elon confirmed that Cybertrucks and Optimus robots will be among some of the first items landing on Mars.
That’s a ton of awesome news for Cybertruck, and there’s absolutely going to be more around the corner, especially as we await the big Tesla Holiday Update. While you wait, why not take a look at our Holiday Update Wishlists?
Tesla software update 2024.44.3 has started rolling out to customers in larger waves recently and it brings several new features - including Actually Smart Summon to Europe and the Middle East, as well as improvements to Autopark. But that’s not all, it also adds a new Blind Spot Monitoring feature to the new Model 3, and potentially the Cybertruck, but that’s still to be determined.
We previously covered the Blind Spot Warning While Parked as part of our preview notes for update 2024.44, but now that it's going out to customers, it's time to see it in action.
If the vehicle’s door open button is pressed, and a vehicle or object is near or incoming, the vehicle’s Blind Spot Warning Light (2024 Model 3 and Cybertruck) will illuminate, an audible tone will ring and the door won’t open. A message will also be displayed on the center displaying, letting driver’s know why the door didn’t open.
Pressing the button a second time will allow you to override the warning and open the door normally, providing a way to get out in case you just parked close to a nearby vehicle or obstacle.
The object detection for this new feature includes cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and other objects - like things including traffic cones, bollards, strollers, and other large obstacles that FSD and vision-based Autopark detect during normal operation. Of note - this only works for the front two doors. Thanks to X user Max, who did some testing for us, It does not work for the rear passenger doors.
Optional Feature
The feature is optional - it’ll be enabled by default for safety, but if you need to enable or disable it, you can do so under Controls > Safety. For now, the feature is only available on the 2024 Model 3, but we expect it to roll out to the Cybertruck at least. However, there’s no reason why it can’t be added to other vehicles as well, minus the small red dot. We expect Tesla to eventually add this feature to all Tesla vehicles, but it’s currently not a part of update 2024.44.
Enhauto’s S3XY Buttons & Commander
If that’s not enough safety and vision for you, Enhauto, the makers of the popular S3XY Buttons and Commander recently put out a new software update for the 2024 Model 3, which makes some fantastic use of the ambient lighting.
With Enhauto’s solution, users are able to tie their ambient lights to Autopilot use, turn signals or even if a vehicle is their blind spot. Check out the video below for this awesome implementation, where the ambient lights turn red when another vehicle approaches.
Maybe Tesla will integrate something like this into a future update? We’ve been hoping for more customizability with their ambient lighting - it's an easy safety win and a demonstration of Tesla’s do-more-with-less attitude.
I look forward to @enhauto updates more than Tesla...
Ambient light effects....
I set default color to white. Blinks green on turn signals Turns blue on FSD activation Yellow if someone in blind spot Blinks red if turn signal on and blind spot activity detected.
![First Look at Tesla’s New 'Blind Spot While Parked' Feature [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/model-3-2024/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg/4cdcb11af7b1c7cf021ba96588fd4f1a/blind-spot-indicator-monitor.jpg)
