Several sightings of truckloads of refreshed Model 3s out in the wild suggest Tesla is in the final steps before delivering the new Model 3 in Asia and Europe. However, insider leaks also point to the vehicle not arriving in the US until 2024.
A few days ago, Tesla introduced the highly anticipated Project Highland refreshed Model 3. The vehicle delivered on most of the promises and the leaks leading up to the event.
The refreshed Model 3 came with major improvements, including an updated, sleeker front facia, a new single-piece headlight and rear light design, and a better opening frunk and trunk.
The vehicle also saw major improvements in the noise, vibration, and harshness front, getting a completely redesigned softer suspension, new double pane glass on the back windows to decrease road noise, and more premium and sound-absorbing interior liners to again decrease cabin noise.
In the tech and features front, the refreshed Model 3 saw the addition of an 8-inch second display for rear passengers, a new air ventilation 2.0 system that allows split airflow between the driver and the passenger, new ambient interior lighting, ventilated seats, and many more improvements.
Related News: Model S & X Owners Unhappy After Tesla Cut Price By As Much As $30K Demand a List of Compensations From Tesla
Tesla representatives have said that 50 percent of the components of the refreshed Model 3 have been updated. Although two significant components of the vehicle have not changed – the battery and powertrain, the vehicle nonetheless gets better range thanks to a more aerodynamic design.
Another change that did not take place as early Project Highland rumors suggested was the addition of a Giga casting. The addition of front and rear Giga castings in the Model Y has enabled Tesla to decrease the unique parts making up the chassis of the vehicle from 170 to 2.
Despite these two anticipated major chassis, battery, and powertrain improvements not taking place, the refreshed Model 3 nonetheless has received cheering reviews by car journalists who have thus far been able to test drive the new vehicle.
All the improvements and raving reviews have made anticipation for the refreshed Model 3 high. And for those who can’t wait to get their hands on the refreshed Model 3, the wait might not be too long.
At least that is the case for anyone living in Asia and China as Tesla has yet to update the Model 3 produced in the US and sold in North America.
According to insider leaks, Tesla does not plan to introduce a refreshed Model 3 in North America until next year. This suggests Tesla plans to carry on the current Model 3 production for several in its Fremont, California plant.
For anyone outside of North America, meaning, anyone who gets their vehicles from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, refreshed Model 3 deliveries appear to be imminent as several refreshed Model 3s loaded onto trucks have been spotted being transported on open roads in China.
These vehicles appear to be headed to various Tesla showrooms across the country to be delivered in China and to the port to be shipped out to European countries.
Currently, the exact date when Tesla expects to start delivering the refreshed Model 3 to customers is not known, however, if trucks loaded with the new vehicle are already being spotted in the wild then it would suggest that deliveries should not be too far away.
As of now, this is all the information we’ve regarding Tesla’s plans for the refreshed Model 3. However, we’ll be sure to keep you posted if we learn more about EV maker’s future plans. Until then, make sure to visit our site torquenews.com/Tesla regularly for the latest updates.
So what do you think? Excited to see truckloads of refreshed Model 3 out in the wild? Also, what do you think will happen to Model 3 sales in North America if Tesla doesn’t update the vehicle until next year? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.
For more information check out: All About the New Tesla Model 3 Highland - When Will the U.S. Get It?
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and The evolution of the EV space on a daily basis for several years. He covers everything about Tesla from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.