{"id":32374,"date":"2024-03-07T13:05:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T17:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=32374"},"modified":"2024-03-07T13:05:52","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T17:05:52","slug":"payne-behind-the-stalkless-wheel-of-the-redesigned-tesla-model-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/payne-behind-the-stalkless-wheel-of-the-redesigned-tesla-model-3","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Behind the (stalkless) wheel of the redesigned Tesla Model 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Troy<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The 2024 Tesla Model 3 is the sedan\u2019s first major update and you have questions.<\/p>\n

Did it get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Nope.<\/p>\n

Sirius XM? Nope.<\/p>\n

AM radio? Nope.<\/p>\n

A head-up display? Nah.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland (left) brings the first major refresh of the Model 3. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

More rear legroom? Nada.<\/p>\n

A glovebox button? Negative.<\/p>\n

Plastic surgery so its Lord Voldemort face doesn\u2019t keep you up at night? Yup.<\/p>\n

A quieter cabin? You bet.<\/p>\n

The latter two answers will be welcomed by the Teslerati, and were pleasing upgrades for this (two-time) Model 3 owner. How time flies. It\u2019s been six years since the Model 3 hit the market after a chaotic manufacturing process to meet off-the-chart demand. Codenamed Highland, the \u201824 Model 3 is Tesla\u2019s first chance to tidy up some details.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/figure>\n
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The dimensions of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland are little changed as the car relishes its simple, iPhone look. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The quieter cabin was immediately apparent as I zipped out of Troy\u2019s Somerset Collection for a test drive. Tesla says noise, vibration and harshness \u2014 NVH \u2014 have improved by 20%. Credit upgrades like laminated glass on all windows, improved door-sill sealing, suspension tweaks and upgraded Michelin E-Primacy tires.<\/p>\n

The streamlined face is pleasing, even as it erases signature features like the heavy-eyebrow LED running lights. Everything but the doors and quarter panels are new (even aero wheel covers), adding up to aerodynamic efficiencies that help increase range to 341 miles \u2014 but you might not notice if you were just strolling by. Tesla makes smartphones on wheels, and is more focused on software upgrades than physical appearance (I honestly can\u2019t remember the design differences between my last two Android smartphones).<\/p>\n

Since its debut, Model 3 has marched to the beat of its own drummer. This is a car obsessed with simplification. Heck, Tesla even wants to get rid of\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0on its path to full self-driving.<\/p>\n

So instead of answering basic questions (no AM radio? Really?) Model 3 asks new ones. Like: who needs steering wheel stalks?<\/p>\n

\"The<\/figure>\n
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The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland features new aero wheels.Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The original Model 3 consolidated functions onto the wheel and 15.4-inch center screen. Shift gears? Use the right-hand shift stalk. Turn signal? Left stalk. Everything else \u2014 mirrors, volume, adaptive cruise control \u2014 was on the steering wheel or screen.<\/p>\n

Now the stalks are gone \u2014 following big brother Model S, which ditched stalks in 2021.<\/p>\n

I shifted gears in the left screen margin: swipe UP for DRIVE, down for REVERSE, press P for PARK, N for NEUTRAL. Kinda\u2019 like Lincoln dash buttons, and a distraction from the road. So are the turn signals, now accessed via buttons on the left of the steering wheel. Rather than adopt raised buttons like a Chevy or Kia, turn signal buttons are flat, requiring your eyes leave the road to find them. If the screen blacks out and you can\u2019t shift? Tesla added redundant shifter buttons behind the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a step back in the name of simplification. Other functions sacrificed to stalk removal are adaptive cruise and Autopilot, which now are in the right-side steering wheel roller. Voice commands and windshield wipers are now \u2026 less convenient buttons on the wheel.<\/p>\n

\"2024<\/figure>\n
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2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland moves its shift buttons into the screen. Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Two steps forward, two steps back. But the EV GOAT remains as compelling as ever.<\/p>\n

After Elon Musk debuted the Model 3 in Los Angeles in February 2016, a flood of 250,000 pre-orders followed from buyers who laid down $1,000 \u2014 including this curious auto reviewer.<\/p>\n

That demand brought production pressures that nearly crushed the young company. Musk called the next two years \u201cproduction hell.\u201d The company put up a tent in its Fremont, California, factory parking lot to meet demand. Thousands of 3s had to be repaired due to paint shop glitches. Vehicles suffered gaffes like panel gaps the size of the Rio Grande, bumpers that fell off, and screens that went black.<\/p>\n