Photo: @MODEL3PLAID via X / Ryan Cragun via YouTube
Unlike the current generation, which comes with split taillights, the Model 3 Highland has the taillights integrated into the trunk lid. This poses issues when the trunk is open, so Tesla had to find a solution to keep the hazard lights visible when the trunk opens.
Although it didn't make an official announcement, Tesla recently opened the order books for the refreshed Model 3 in Europe, China, Japan, and Australia. We tried to offer as much information about the new model as possible, but many details will only come to light as customers receive their cars sometime in October.
Tesla significantly changed the design of the Model 3 Highland, but the modifications also affected how basic functions work. The most obvious example is the removal of the steering wheel stalks and replacing them with capacitive buttons or buttons on the infotainment screen. There are many details that a current Model 3 owner might find impractical, but also improved or new features, so it's not all bad.
Unlike the current model, which features split taillights, the Model 3 Highland integrates them into the trunk lid. This means that when you open the trunk, the taillights raise with the lid, pointing toward the sky. That made people wonder what happens to the hazard lights when the trunk lid is open. Well, a recent video shared on social media shows that Tesla engineers got creative to solve this problem.
In the video linked below, you can see that the flashing taillights are dynamically relocated to the lower area under the trunk, just above the rear diffuser. This seems more like an afterthought, considering these lights are smaller and less visible. This is just an example of Tesla's cost-cutting measures implemented on the refreshed Model 3. The diffuser lights also function as bumper reflectors and reverse lights when backing up.
Since I've already mentioned the stalkless design, I must say that the refreshed Model 3 now offers the "Auto Shift out of Park" feature we know from the Model S/Model X. This is documented in the owner's manual, although the feature is marked as "Beta" and disabled by default. When enabled, the car's sensors (read "cameras") are used to determine whether Drive or Reverse should be engaged. This happens as soon as the driver closes the door and buckles the seat belt.
If things don't look right, the driver can dismiss the selection by pressing the brake pedal and changing it on the center display. They can also use the overhead PRND buttons to override the gear selection in case the touchscreen is unavailable, or the car is in Valet or Transport mode. Still, the vehicle should be able to figure out in which direction to drive based on the car's position relative to surrounding objects.
Tesla significantly changed the design of the Model 3 Highland, but the modifications also affected how basic functions work. The most obvious example is the removal of the steering wheel stalks and replacing them with capacitive buttons or buttons on the infotainment screen. There are many details that a current Model 3 owner might find impractical, but also improved or new features, so it's not all bad.
Unlike the current model, which features split taillights, the Model 3 Highland integrates them into the trunk lid. This means that when you open the trunk, the taillights raise with the lid, pointing toward the sky. That made people wonder what happens to the hazard lights when the trunk lid is open. Well, a recent video shared on social media shows that Tesla engineers got creative to solve this problem.
In the video linked below, you can see that the flashing taillights are dynamically relocated to the lower area under the trunk, just above the rear diffuser. This seems more like an afterthought, considering these lights are smaller and less visible. This is just an example of Tesla's cost-cutting measures implemented on the refreshed Model 3. The diffuser lights also function as bumper reflectors and reverse lights when backing up.
Since I've already mentioned the stalkless design, I must say that the refreshed Model 3 now offers the "Auto Shift out of Park" feature we know from the Model S/Model X. This is documented in the owner's manual, although the feature is marked as "Beta" and disabled by default. When enabled, the car's sensors (read "cameras") are used to determine whether Drive or Reverse should be engaged. This happens as soon as the driver closes the door and buckles the seat belt.
If things don't look right, the driver can dismiss the selection by pressing the brake pedal and changing it on the center display. They can also use the overhead PRND buttons to override the gear selection in case the touchscreen is unavailable, or the car is in Valet or Transport mode. Still, the vehicle should be able to figure out in which direction to drive based on the car's position relative to surrounding objects.
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— ????????™ (@MODEL3PLAID) September 8, 2023
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