Alfred Sloan Redux - Is This The Tesla Model 3 Refresh?

The internet is buzzing over a photo that may show the Tesla Model 3 “Highland” facelift. The all-black car in the photo has no logos but bears a striking resemblance to the Model 3 even though it has not been confirmed by Tesla. The nose and headlights, however, look new and there’s a binnacle in front of the driver to accompany the current solo middle screen.

Is this the Model 3 refresh we’ve been waiting for? Rumors tracing back to 2022 suggest that Tesla was planning to revamp its most popular sedan and launch it in the second half of 2023. Tesla no longer has a PR department so we’ll have to keep our ears to the ground and wait for confirmation.

We think this might very well be the Model 3 “Highland” and the biggest news might be a camera upgrade. It’s rumored that the nine 1.2-megapixel cameras scattered around the car will be replaced by modern 5-megapixel versions. Squint and see if you can tell the differences between this alleged leaked photo and the current car. We see slightly slimmer headlights and a smoothed bumper with no outboard cooling vents. When will we see a refreshed Model 3? Hopefully, this year so stay tuned to ElectrifiedMag.

Electrified Mag’s Take: Tesla’s Over The Air (OTA) updates were thought to have made old-fashioned styling facelifts a thing of the past. Just upgrade your software and you get new features and fixes, no exterior changes necessary. Well, looks like old-school “Legacy” auto might have the last laugh here. The Model 3 is five years old now, and beginning to get a bit stale, so Tesla dusted off a new fascia and headlights, and boom, the faithful Muskphiles go berserk! We’re not sure what changes under the skin are in store, so it’s all speculation for now.

Some folks on the web have already pooh-poohed this thing and said it’s a fake. Whatever it is, Tesla’s market share has dwindled in the first quarter as newer and fresher options from the world’s automakers invade its turf. Tesla’s recent price cuts have helped move the metal, but it looks like some good old Detroit “Planned Obsolescence” might be just what the doctor ordered to renew interest in Tesla’s cash cow. Alfred Sloan gets the last laugh here from beyond the grave.