The Model 3 could receive a big update in 2023 according to Reuters, which says it has received information from four different people. Internally, Tesla is said to have named the project “Highland” and one of the goals of this update would be to focus primarily on the cabin, to further reduce the number of components and the complexity of the interior. An exterior redesign would not be excluded according to the site, even if it seems implausible when one thinks of the way of proceeding of the exclusively electric manufacturer.
Officially unveiled in 2017, the Model 3 has not evolved significantly aesthetically since the first concepts. The changes have all been minor, like the removal of chrome in favor of satin black elements in 2021, and until then Tesla prefers to settle for these small adjustments without touching the general design of its cars. We had proof of this with the new Model S and Model X also presented at the start of 2021 and which have hardly changed on the outside but have gained a whole new interior.
Will the Model 3 be entitled to such an upheaval of its interior? It seems hard to believe, as the current one is already refined. More importantly, it served as the basis for the new Model S and X, proof that Tesla believes in its formula centered around the main screen and with few physical controls. Reuters mentions increased simplification, which recalls this rumor published during the summer, which suggested that the manufacturer would consider generalizing the abandonment of the levers behind the steering wheel.
Maybe this rumor of summer and that of fall come together. Tesla could take back the “yoke” steering wheel that has been talked about so much and generalize it to its entire range, namely in the Model 3 and probably also Model Y. More than the atypical shape of the steering wheel, its most significant characteristic and The most controversial is the choice of touch buttons on the spokes of the steering wheel, instead of the levers placed behind. It’s a bet on automation that should do the majority of the actions, including perhaps activating the turn signals depending on the route, and reinforcing the touchscreen’s central place in the middle of the dashboard.
Would Tesla also generalize the 17-inch screen of the Model S and X to replace the 15-inch one in the 3 and Y? Reuters does not mention it, but the site does indicate that this touch interface would remain at the heart of use. Unsurprisingly, the geeky minimalism that reigns on board is a Tesla strong point for its enthusiasts.
Will Tesla embark on the first exterior redesign in its short history, as the rumor of the moment seems to suggest? Obviously, nothing forbids it, but the most significant change in my opinion should remain invisible. The Model Y has been updated in a significant way without it being seen by adopting the principle of the structural battery, where the pack is part of the very structure of the car, and by relying mainly on a simplified body. Tesla uses giant presses to create the car body from two huge blocks of metal, one in the front and one in the back.
This choice greatly simplifies production, which normally consists of assembling hundreds of small parts. This is a key element in understanding why Tesla produces its cars so quickly and so cheaply, and it is probably no coincidence that the Model Y is now the cheapest in France. The Model 3, with its older design, now costs more to produce than the SUV it is based on and it seems only natural that the company would want to generalize this process. But if it involves major changes to the production line and under the hood, it can be done without any visual retouching, as was the case with the Model Y.
It should also be remembered that Tesla is constantly updating its cars, both in terms of software and hardware. The manufacturer does not operate like its historical competitors, with notions of vintages or generations. Each quarter, there may be new features without warning, with good news (bigger battery in the Model 3 at the end of 2021) and bad news (removal of ultrasonic sensors this fall). These elements are visible, but the company is constantly changing the list of components, with engines that evolve regularly and other parts that can change, whether seats or damping.
We will know in a few months whether the changes in 2023 will be more significant. However, it should also be remembered that Tesla has now chosen to favor the Model Y, to the detriment of its sedan. The production capacity favors the SUV and we can also imagine that the efforts devoted internally to the Model 3 have followed the trend. In addition, certain changes requested by customers, such as the integration of a tailgate instead of the trunk, which is not always practical, are undoubtedly considered as advantages reserved for the other models in the range.