The birthchild of “Project Highland” will arrive first in Europe and soon in the US market.
It has been six years since the introduction of the first Tesla Model 3. Since then, there hasn’t been any significant update to the electric car beyond the software side. But while the current Model 3 is overall a decent EV, many have started to wonder if a facelift could be in the plans, leading them to hold off on their purchase.
Of course, we all heard about Tesla’s “Project Highland” at some point, strongly hinting at what the next Model 3 could look like. And now, we can finally stop wondering as Tesla just revealed the facelifted Model 3 in Europe.
Given it’s only a facelift, it still retains its predecessor’s chassis and silhouette. Still, there are some noticeable design changes, including slimmer headlights, similar to the upcoming Tesla Roadster. The front loses its foglights and features a sleeker grill outline; again, reminiscent of the overdue Roadster and maybe even a slight Aston Martin Vantage vibe.
It’s a similar story from the side profile to the rear end of the car, with only subtle changes being made. There’s no difference on the side except for the new 18-inch Photon wheels or 19-inch Nova wheels with specially designed tires to reduce road noise. At the back, the new Model 3 receives new C-shaped taillights and “TESLA” lettering instead of the usual ‘T’ logo. In addition, the EV maker now offers two new optional color schemes: Starry Sky Gray and Flame Red.
While the inside looks pretty similar to the previous model, there are still a few nice touches, like ambient lighting and a new touchscreen-controlled climate vent for rear passengers. The giant horizontal iPad-like center infotainment screen on the dash is still there, but with a smaller bezel, controlling most of the vehicle’s functionality. Tesla also moved the gear lever behind the steering wheel to the touchscreen, which will surely not be everyone’s cup of tea.
That said, the Model 3 still receives some significant, albeit discrete, interior upgrades, such as all-around acoustic glass, better sound deadening, and improved materials for a quieter cabin. The Long Range model also gets 17 banging stereo speakers with two subwoofers and two amplifiers.
Unfortunately, the Performance trim is still missing from the European and Chinese configurators. Only two models are currently available, the Long-Range and RWD, but we believe the range-topper is still under development and should be announced soon.
Given it’s only a cosmetic refresh, all models are expected to provide a similar range to their predecessors. Nonetheless, Tesla is well-known for unpredictable lineup changes, so powertrain updates could be in the works.
The new Model 3 will first be available in Europe and China, but we’ll let you know once there’s any info regarding a potential US arrival. Hopefully, these changes will translate to a great foundation for the next Model Y, which is currently America’s best-selling EV.
Gallery: 2024 Tesla Model 3
