Tesla's Worst-Kept Secret: A Comprehensive Review of Project Highland

Tesla's Project Highland will see the Model 3 get revamped

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We're nearing the end of the second quarter, and Tesla is pulling out all the stops to clear out the existing inventory of Model 3s. The buzz is intensifying about the anticipated Project Highland, Tesla's substantial redesign of the Model 3, which is speculated to commence production as early as the third quarter.

What was once a hush-hush project has now become a badly-kept secret, with rumors and piecemeal evidence sparking widespread excitement and curiosity. Here's a compilation of everything we know about the impending changes.

Exterior Overhaul: Function Meets Design

Tesla's upcoming Project Highland stands to redefine the exterior aesthetics of the Model 3, pushing the boundaries of design innovation. The most striking changes, as suggested by leaked images, include reimagining the headlights into a sleeker, more streamlined form, enhancing the car's modern appeal.

Interestingly, there are no apparent fog lights in the new design, sparking curiosity about whether they've been integrated into the headlights or entirely phased out. Further, the front bumper sees a notable transformation, with the absence of ultrasonic sensors hinting at Tesla's continued emphasis on vision-based assistance.

Alterations extend to the side mirrors, appearing slightly slimmer, and the conspicuous lack of the "T" logo on the hood aligns with Tesla's move towards reduced branding. Changes continue to the rear with a redesigned bumper and repositioned reverse lights, both indicative of a refreshed look and potential cost efficiencies.

Introducing a new front bumper camera aimed at improving blind spot visibility, along with potentially additional side cameras, demonstrate Tesla's commitment to enhancing driver safety and convenience.

Interior Innovation: Redefining Luxury and Practicality

Revamping the Model 3's interior, Tesla's Project Highland removes the iconic wood dashboard inlay, swapping it for a more modern aesthetic with the possibility of materials such as alcantara fabric, carbon fiber or brushed metal. A noteworthy addition is the supposed installation of ventilated seats — these enhance the comfort quotient, providing temperature adaptability for varying climates.

An upgraded sound system is also on the horizon, aiming to enhance the auditory experience with a more immersive sound. Improved ambient lighting within the cabin is rumored as well, adding a soothing aura to night-time drives.

Driving Revolution: The Advent of Smart Shift

Shifting gears, both literally and figuratively, in a potentially revolutionary move, Tesla may be ditching the traditional gear stalks in favor of on-screen controls for transitioning between park, reverse, and drive modes. If rumors prove accurate, this 'Smart Shift' technology could signify a paradigm shift in vehicular control interfaces, offering a futuristic and user-friendly experience that could redefine the very act of driving.

As all signs point to a fast-approaching launch, Project Highland is shaping up to be a testament to Tesla's unyielding dedication to pioneering advancements. The proposed significant transformations — an aesthetic reinvention, superior technology integrations, a luxurious and pragmatic interior, and a ground-breaking driving interface — underline Tesla's resolve in pushing the envelope of what's possible in electric mobility. As anticipation continues to mount, it's clear that Project Highland isn't just a worst-kept secret; it's a bold glimpse into the exciting future of Tesla's sustainable transport vision.

Tesla Adds 'Critical Alerts' to App That Bypass Mute Switch For Emergencies

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Tesla’s last app update, version 4.37.1, introduces support for critical alerts on the iPhone. These alerts are designed for emergency situations and will override standard notification settings, including the mute switch, Focus modes, and Do Not Disturb. This ensures that owners are notified when immediate action is required, even if their phone is set to silent.

How to Enable Critical Alerts

1. Activate Dog Mode: Open the Tesla app and turn on Dog Mode.

2. Main App Screen: After activating Dog Mode, go back to the main section of the app.

3. Enable Critical Alerts: A new option called Critical Alerts will appear under Live Camera and the quick action icons (Tip: You can add up to 5 quick actions). It’ll state, “Grant permissions to receive critical notifications.” Tap it, and you’ll see a system dialog asking for permission to allow critical alerts for the Tesla app.

4. Confirm Permission: Choose to allow the Tesla app to send critical notifications, which will grant the app special privileges for sending urgent alerts.

This new feature is likely intended for situations where Dog Mode needs to be turned off unexpectedly. For example, if the vehicle’s battery drops below 20% or if the temperature inside the cabin rises or falls drastically outside of your set temperature, the Tesla app is expected to send a critical alert to the owner, ensuring they are informed right away.

What Are Critical Alerts?

Critical Alerts are a type of iOS notification available only to approved apps, which must meet specific criteria set by Apple. These alerts are designed to be used in emergencies and bypass all standard notification restrictions. This means that regardless of whether your phone is silenced or in Do Not Disturb mode, the alert will play a sound and appear prominently.

By adding support for Critical Alerts, Tesla is prioritizing the safety of pets who may be left inside the vehicle with the expectation that Dog Mode will keep conditions safe. This change makes the app more reliable for alerting owners when immediate attention is needed, ensuring they are always kept informed—even when their phone’s settings would typically prevent other notifications from coming through.

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Tesla Ends Sales of Model 3 Standard Range in the US; Starts Providing US-built Vehicles to Canada

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Following a recent change to tariff rates on Chinese imports, including EV components like batteries and raw materials, Tesla has discontinued sales of the Model 3 Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive in the U.S.

The SR RWD model is no longer available for custom orders, although some units are still listed on Tesla’s inventory page. The vehicles listed on the inventory page are those that have already been imported into the U.S. and thus remain available for sale.

Tax Credit

The US Federal EV Tax Rebate doesn’t count towards the Model 3 Standard Range – which ships with an LFP battery that is primarily produced and manufactured in China at CATL.

While the Standard Range Rear Wheel Drive variant was the cheapest Tesla on offer at $38,990, the Long-Range RWD was cheaper at $42,490 if you include the $7,500 Tax Rebate – which is offered at the point of sale. After the discount, the Long Range RWD is only $34,990.

That means that offering this the Standard Range model – for the vast majority of Americans who are eligible for the Tax Rebate – didn’t make a lot of sense. There wasn’t a particular reason to purchase the Standard Range variant over the Long-Range Variant – unless you were one of the few not eligible for the Tax Rebate.

Those not eligible were also those more likely to buy a Model 3 Performance or Model S instead – as their income likely places them far above the tax brackets that the EV Rebate applies for, or otherwise completely unable to afford the purchase of a new vehicle.

Canadian Tariffs

Canada has followed the lead of the US on tariffs on Chinese goods, which includes EVs. Canada is imposing a 100% tariff and also eliminating the federal EV rebate of $5,000 CAD on EVs built in China. Tesla did warn initially that price increases could be coming to the Canadian market.

Instead, as we expected, Tesla has begun to source its vehicles from the United States for the Canadian market instead, which are still applicable for the EV rebate, and do not have the tariff applied to them. Now, both Fremont and Giga Texas will begin sourcing vehicles for Canada for the first time since late 2022 – when the last few vehicles from Fremont made the trip to Canada.

Interestingly, the regular Standard Range RWD model is still available in Canada – not the Long Range. We’re expecting Tesla to make a change to this within the next few days – changes to the Canadian site usually follow the American site.

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