The interior of the world’s best-selling electric sedan is set to move the gear selector to the touchscreen – and possibly ditch stalks for the turn indicators and windscreen wipers – spy photos suggest.
The unveiling of the updated 2024 Tesla Model 3 could be weeks away – with a revamped interior free of a gear selector stalk – according to the latest reports and spy photos.
Aerial footage captured by a drone above a Tesla testing facility, and uploaded to YouTube by user Caliber197 provides our first look at the interior of the updated Model 3, due to begin production later this year.
The most notable change visible is a new steering wheel inspired by the Semi heavy truck – which appears to ditch the right-hand stalk behind the steering wheel currently used as the gear selector.
MORE: 2024 Tesla Model 3 facelift illustrated, based on information from spy photos
The move would mirror the updated Model S and Model X electric cars – which Tesla confirmed last week would not be sold in Australia, after two years in limbo – and the Semi truck.
The test driver can be seen in the video swiping down on the left side of the touchscreen – where the gear selector control is on the Model S and Model X (below) – before the vehicle starts to reverse.
It is unclear if the Model 3 update will keep the left-hand steering wheel stalk – used for the turn indicators and windscreen wipers – or remove it, in line with the Model S, Model X and Semi.
An overhead view of the vehicle (at timestamp 6:15) does not appear to show a stalk on the left side of the steering wheel.
However another angle (timestamp 2:01, or top of story) looking through the open driver’s door appears to show a small circular shape behind the steering wheel poking through the black covering disguising the dashboard, which is the same size and shape as a steering wheel stalk.
If the Model 3 follows the previously-mentioned Tesla vehicles, the indicators and wiper controls would become touch-sensitive buttons on the spokes of the steering wheel.
There have been reports on social media – based on a leaked photo last month of the updated Model 3’s front fascia – that the car could gain a standalone instrument cluster, rather than display speed on the central touchscreen like the current model.
The angle of the latest video makes it hard to determine if this will be the case.
Other changes visible in the interior include what appear to be new front seats – distinguished by the stitching on the driver’s seat base, which runs in a different direction to the driver’s seat in the current model (below).
If accurate, the observation would confirm a report from Teslascope – a Twitter user with a track record of reporting accurate information from Tesla insiders – that Tesla would be “imminently switching away” from in-house-designed seats in the Model 3.
As previously reported by Drive, the updated Tesla Model 3 – codenamed Project ‘Highland’ – is due to commence production later this year, as the first major update to the top-selling electric car since it launched in the US six years ago.
While past reports have pointed to a start of production in September, sources cited by Tesla news website Not a Tesla App have claimed production is due to begin sometime in June.
It is despite a statement issued by Tesla China to a local media outlet last week denying unsubstantiated online reports claiming “trial production” would begin at Tesla’s Shanghai factory on June 1.
The news website also claims the new Model 3 Long Range just introduced in the US – made available to order earlier this month ahead of first deliveries due next month – is the ‘Highland’ update, despite the photo on Tesla’s website showing the current model.
“One of our sources, who has provided factual information in the past, is not only confirming the June production plans, but also signifying that the Model 3 Long Range model, will be Project Highland,” Not a Tesla App reports.
“Tesla China has officially denied the rumors that appeared on Twitter, stating that there are no current plans to begin production on the Model 3 Highland. However, it is worth noting that Tesla China has previously denied rumors that later turned out to be true,” the website says.
It is possible updated Model 3 production may begin first at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory for North America next month – before the Shanghai plant that supplies Australia, China and Europe follows closer to the September date previously reported.
Australian showroom arrival timing is yet to be confirmed.
It takes approximately four to six weeks for Model 3 vehicles to reach Australia from China, though it’s unclear if production for Australia will start at the same time as the US and China.
The leaked photo published online last month confirms the updated Tesla Model 3 will receive a new front-end design with slimmer Roadster-like headlights, a simpler front bumper now without fog lights, and new alloy wheel designs.
Overseas reports say other changes for the updated Model 3 are due to include a tweaked rear bumper, and a new trim material for the dashboard to replace the faux wood-look insert currently standard.
There is also reportedly planned to be new exterior camera modules for semi-autonomous driving technology, with a camera on the lower front bumper, and larger cameras on the front wheel arches.
MORE: Is this the updated 2024 Tesla Model 3? Front-end photo leaked
Reports claim there will be fewer sensors elsewhere on the vehicle to reduce manufacturing complexity – such as a GPS-based weather data system replacing the outside temperature sensor.
Drive has previously Theottle to illustrate the new front-end design and wheels on different model grades. These are included above.
Stay tuned to Drive for more details on the 2024 Tesla Model 3 facelift as its unveiling approaches – which could happen in the coming weeks, if the June start-of-production date is accurate.
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