A rendering of what the Model 3 refresh could look like
Cybrtrk420/Twitter
We don't need to read tea leaves or look into a crystal ball to predict that Tesla's Model 3 refresh, a.k.a the Highland, is fast approaching its release date. However, there's even more evidence emerging that backs up what we have already figured out. The Highland is ready.
It is Tesla's worst-kept secret, and China's sales figures for July 2023 prove it. Despite a year-over-year increase, there has been a 31 percent decline in sales from June. Shoppers are eagerly awaiting the newest version of the Model 3 and don't want to spend money on something that will be the "old" model next month. This is further reinforced by Tesla's recent filing with the Chinese government, seeking what looks to be approval for the redesigned 'Highland' Model 3.
Production and Market Expectations
According to X (Twitter) users Chris Zheng, and WuWa (who have provided a lot of excellent inside information), Tesla has begun producing its latest Model 3 at its Giga Shanghai facility. With the production lines currently alternating between the older and newer Model 3, a complete transition to the Highland Refresh is expected by mid-August, August 14 to be exact, suggesting a possible release of the vehicle as early as September.
This calculated maneuver coincides with extended delivery times for the Model 3 in the European market. Since European Model 3 units come from Giga Shanghai, this aligns seamlessly with the timelines required to ship the newly produced cars from China to Europe.
Features and Innovations of the Highland Refresh
The Highland Refresh is not just a cosmetic enhancement; it promises to be a significant upgrade. The next-generation Model 3 is poised to exhibit design updates and substantial improvements in hardware and production processes. Features such as ventilated seats, improved interior lighting, and Smart Shift are expected to be included. The Model 3 refresh is also expected to be lighter and more cost-efficient to manufacture, this model also integrates hardware 4.0 and at least one additional camera mounted on the front bumper.
Anticipated Launch and Impact on the Market
As Tesla gears up for this monumental event, it will continue to face a challenge to convince prospective buyers to purchase the existing Model 3, you know, that one that was cutting-edge technology just a few minutes ago.
Production is expected to be in full swing at both Giga Shanghai and Fremont factories by the end of the month. This unveiling could significantly stimulate demand in the fourth quarter. Interestingly, the fourth quarter starts October 1, and the last day you can transfer Full Self Driving to a new vehicle is September 30. Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.
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Tesla recently showed off Giga Small Haus, an interesting new display project hosted at Giga Berlin. The small new house is located just outside the main entrance of Tesla’s Giga Berlin factory, with a Quicksilver Model Y parked inside.
Giga Small Haus is powered only by solar and Powerwall 3 - disconnected from the local grid and from Giga Berlin itself. It serves as a live demonstration of Tesla Solar and Tesla’s Powerwall battery backup.
Giga Small Haus
The centerpiece of the display is a Model Y in Quicksilver - a beautiful pick for a beautifully lit house. However, that’s not the real focus here - it's the Powerwall and Gateway on the wall.
The Powerwall is the focus of Giga Small Haus, and there’s a display with some additional information on the wall. Part of the display also includes a screen that displays the current output of the Powerwall itself versus the consumption of Giga Small Haus, as well as the input from solar.
The interior exhibit of Giga Small Haus
Not a Tesla App
The text on the exhibit is divided into several sections. Here’s a translated and edited version of what we can see from Tesla’s images. Some additional text is obscured. If someone visits Giga Small Haus, let us know.
Powerwall
Powerwall is a home battery system that stores energy from solar panels, the electrical grid, or during off-peak hours and powers your home during the day or during a power outage.
With Powerwall, you can use self-generated solar energy during the day and night, thus avoiding high electricity costs. You can also store excess energy produced during sunny periods for use during times of low production or power outages.
Key Features
Energy Storage: Powerwall stores excess energy from solar panels or the grid for later use or during power outages.
Backup Power: In the event of a power outage, Powerwall automatically switches to battery power to ensure continuous power supply.
Integration: Powerwall can be seamlessly integrated with existing solar systems and other power sources.
Scalability: Multiple Powerwalls can be installed to meet higher energy storage needs.
Smart Energy Management: Powerwall works with Tesla's software to optimize energy consumption and reduce costs.
How Powerwall Works
Storage: During the day, when solar panels produce more energy than needed, the excess is stored in Powerwall.
Usage: At night or during times of low solar production, the stored energy is used to power the home, reducing reliance on the grid.
Backup: During a power outage, Powerwall automatically provides power to critical circuits, ensuring continuous operation of essential appliances.
Benefits
Cost Savings: By storing and using solar energy, you can reduce your electricity bills.
Reliability: Provides backup power during outages, ensuring your home remains powered.
Sustainability: Promotes the use of renewable energy by storing excess solar production for later use.
Overall, Giga Small Haus is an interesting real-life demo of what Powerwall and Solar can accomplish. It would be neat if Tesla built more of these displays - perhaps near major Delivery and Service Centers and at Giga Texas, Fremont, Giga Shanghai, and other facilities. Many Tesla owners have yet to learn about and experience some of Tesla’s Energy products.
Tesla has added the Acceleration Boost option to the Tesla store for owners of the 2024 Model 3 Long Range - specifically owners in Australia and China. Acceleration Boost is an upgrade that provides a significant performance boost, drastically narrowing the performance gap between the Long Range and Performance versions of the same model.
This upgrade will likely become available in Europe, Canada, and the United States in the next few days as Tesla updates its shops globally.
Acceleration Boost
This new Acceleration Boost is retailing for $3,000 AUD, or approximately $2,000 USD. That’s the same price for current owners of older Model 3 or Model Y Long Range vehicles, which all have the option to purchase Acceleration Boost through the shop.
The boost provides improved 0-100km/h (0-60mph) performance, bumping the 2024 Model 3 LR from 4.4s to 3.8s. The 2024 Performance version comes in at a blazing fast 2.9 seconds, so while it isn’t equivalent to just buying a performance variant in the first place, it is still a noticeable and significant upgrade.
Performance variants also come with a different front fascia vent for cooling, performance drive units, sport seats, adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels, and Track Mode V3. That’s a significant number of additional features in the $10,000 USD price difference between the Long Range and Performance versions.
Should You Buy It?
If you’ve purchased a Long Range model and are itching to go just that little bit faster at every red light, this is the upgrade for you. It previously came with the cost of slightly reducing vehicle range, but the Tesla store doesn’t make a note of reduced range this time around. The 2023 Model 3 and Model Y Long Range models had an efficiency loss of about 5% due to the additional always-available acceleration and cooling.
You could drive in Chill mode to mostly negate that efficiency loss, but what’s the fun in driving in Chill when you just got Acceleration Boost? Anyhow, the shop listing for the 2024 variant doesn’t include this detail, so it's possible Tesla may have worked some more engineering magic.
Overall, if you’ve got the $3,000 AUD burning a hole in your pocket, some Tesla referral credits sitting around, or just want to go faster, it's definitely an upgrade many users find valuable.
