What Is Tesla's Project Highland?

What is Tesla's Project Highland?

There have been a number of Tesla Model 3 vehicles that have had a cover on them, causing people to wonder what Tesla is hiding.

Project Highland is definitely not the compact model that will sell for around $25,000. Tesla has talked about this vehicle, but it isn't being produced yet.

Car companies change up their vehicles every few years and release them with those changes. Project Highland is in this category. Tesla will probably also make more changes than a typical auto company - it will be more than just an outward appearance change.

Tesla has kept their vehicles the same for decades, like the Model S. The Model Y changed to use the 4680 battery pack, and it looks the exact same as any other Model Y.

There is an image of a covered up Tesla that many think is a Project Highland Model 3. Looking at the lower front region, there isn't a dedicated pocket for fog lights, which could be a cost reduction mechanism.

Some have thought that Tesla is adding radar back into their vehicles, but I don't see Tesla doing that - I think they are trying to get costs down as much as possible and Elon Musk has said that FSD runs on vision only.

There are changes to the door that look like Tesla simplified the way it is done. There is also a speaker circle in the new door and Tesla could be doing this to make it simpler to install speakers, another cost saving mechanism.

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More About Project Highland

There is an absence of a puddle lamp and some geometry changes on the door as well. It looks simpler to me, and simpler means less cost in most cases.

The material of the door seems to be changed as well, with a textile type of material. My guess is that this new material is cheaper, but hopefully will last just as long.

Some have wondered if Tesla is getting rid of the stalks. The Model S has put some of the controls on the infotainment screen as well as buttons on the steering wheel. I personally like the stalks in my Model 3 from 2022, but I understand why Tesla would want to remove them to simplify the driving process.

Tesla may be adding ventilated seats as well. The Model S offers ventilated seats, and these are a good thing. I would love to have these in my Model 3 as I sweat quite a bit. Many competitors have this option, so Tesla will likely follow this.

Tesla may make the Model 3 with a front and back casting, which would simplify the process. I think Tesla should do this, it would be a big change and all of a sudden changing the manufacturing line to do this would take time, but in the long run, be better.

It's unknown if the Project Highland battery will be an LFP battery - I think it should be because that battery is cheaper and lasts longer.

What do you think - will Tesla release all of these with their Project Highland Model 3?

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Jeremy Johnson is a Tesla investor and supporter. He first invested in Tesla in 2017 after years of following Elon Musk and admiring his work ethic and intelligence. Since then, he's become a Tesla bull, covering anything about Tesla he can find, while also dabbling in other electric vehicle companies. Jeremy covers Tesla developments at Torque News. You can follow him on Twitter or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow his Tesla news coverage on Torque News. Image Credit, Tesla, Screenshot