So What Do We Know About The Tesla Model 3 Project 'Highland' (so far)

So what do we know about the Tesla Model 3 Project 'Highland' (so far)

Tesla is a company that needs no introduction. It has been making waves in the automotive industry with its innovative EV’s that are designed to be sustainable and eco-friendly - they are a software company that makes cars. One of the most popular models in the Tesla lineup is the Model 3, for reference Q1 in 2022 they sold 4417 of them in Australia, and the company has recently unveiled a refresh for this vehicle. 

Project Highland ???? #Tesla #ProjectHighland pic.twitter.com/PuOJjFe1LL
— The Kilowatts ????⚡️ (@klwtts) February 22, 2023

New Efficient Wheels Design

One of the most striking changes in the new Model 3 'Highland' is the wheel design. Tesla has introduced a new set of 20-inch wheels that feature a sleek and modern look. The new wheels are designed to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and reduce its overall drag coefficient, which will result in better range and efficiency.

Refreshed Front End Design - or so it appears

Another significant change in the Model 3 'Highland' is the refreshed front-end design. Tesla has redesigned the front bumper, which now features a more streamlined and sporty look. The new bumper also has a wider air intake, which should improve airflow to the vehicle's cooling systems.

Improved Interior

Tesla has also made some changes to the Model 3's interior in the 'Highland' refresh. The company has introduced a new central console design that provides more storage space and a better overall user experience. The new console features a sliding cover that can be used to hide valuables of other items.

FSD Improvement Rumours 

Reports suggest that Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Hardware Version 4.0 may include front and rear sensors, alongside the leaked design of the new hardware. The anticipated design upgrade includes a camera enhancement from 1.2Mpixels to 5Mpixels, complemented with LED flicker mitigation, an improvement in digital sign readings. Notably, the hardware computer will house 12 camera inputs, a significant increase compared to current Tesla models, which typically only have nine cameras.

The extra cameras on the FSD 4.0 hardware could be placed at the front of the car, facing sideways, to reduce potential blind spots. Further, the B-pillar cameras are expected to incorporate heaters that could prevent fog buildup behind the glass cover, a feature that would improve visibility during inclement weather conditions.

Compared to its predecessor, the FSD 4.0 hardware will be a substantial improvement in terms of processing speed. The hardware will have 20 processing cores, capable of running at a speed of up to 2.35GHz, which is four times faster than the FSD 3.0 hardware. To provide redundancy, two nodes with the same amount of processing power will be provided. However, the redundancy of the FSD 3.0 hardware has reportedly been eliminated to make way for more features via software upgrades.

As Tesla continues to push the envelope and set new benchmarks in the automotive industry, it will be intriguing to observe what the FSD 4.0 hardware will bring to the table.

In a surprising turn of events, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Hardware Version 4.0 now features HD Radar, despite Elon Musk's previous claim that Tesla cars would eventually rely on cameras alone. The new Phoenix radar has a higher resolution than the one removed from the Model 3 and Y in 2021. To protect the radar from environmental conditions, such as snow and ice blocking the signal, the Phoenix radar will come equipped with a heater.

Images of the FSD 4.0 hardware have emerged, showcasing significant upgrades to the sensors and FSD computer. However, Project Highland will not only bring upgrades to the sensors and FSD computer but also improvements to the infotainment system. Although details are scarce, Tesla's infotainment system has always been a leading capability, and these improvements are highly anticipated.

Powertrain Upgrades

Furthermore, powertrain changes are also anticipated with Project Highland. While details on these changes are not available, it is speculated that the changes could improve the car's performance, range, or both. The structural battery packs, already supplied in cars produced at Tesla's Giga Texas factory, are also expected to be rolled out to the Model 3. Additionally, the "megacasting" of the Model Y production lines is anticipated to help reduce production costs, ultimately providing consumers with a more cost-effective electric vehicle option.

As Tesla continues to innovate and push the envelope in the automotive industry, the release of the FSD 4.0 hardware, along with anticipated upgrades to the powertrain and infotainment system, is highly anticipated.

Other Changes

In addition to the changes mentioned above, Tesla has also made a few other updates to the Model 3 'Highland'. For example, the vehicle now comes equipped with double-paned windows, which should improve sound insulation and reduce cabin noise. Tesla has also introduced a new heat pump system, which should improve the vehicle's overall efficiency in cold weather conditions.