Previously reported that Tesla is developing a revised Model 3, codenamed “Highland”, and that information is likely accurate. The photos posted on Twitter by some users seem to reveal the upcoming variant of the Model 3, showing that the car is camouflaged in most parts of the front and rear, and also uses the Tesla license plate.
Twitter user omg_Tesla / Rivian spotted the prototype in a parking lot in Santa Cruz, California, and took a video and a few photos that show some of the changes that will be made to the Tesla Model 3, even through the camouflage. For example, you can see what appears to be a camera on top of the headlights, which the current model does not have. If it is a camera, it could be to eliminate blind spots, or it could be to improve the vehicle’s ability to “see” when driving on autopilot.
Considering that the front end is also camouflaged through the hood, speculation is that this is because there is a new front bumper design and maybe even a new hood (otherwise it shouldn’t have gone to the trouble of fitting the hood all the way up to the windshield).
The rear of the car is also camouflaged, with only the sides of the light clusters showing, though the taillights themselves don’t seem to be any different. Also, just like the front, the entire rear bumper is hidden, as is the trunk lid, strongly hinting at a new design for these areas.
The news comes after Reuters reported that Tesla is developing a revised Model 3, according to four people familiar with the matter, with the aim of cutting production costs and improving the appeal of the five-year-old electric sedan. The sources said Tesla’s Shanghai mega-factory will put the revised Model 3 into production in the third quarter of 2023.
