Tesla Model 3 Highland Project spotted testing in China

You know that feeling when you're casually cruising the web and suddenly you stumble across a celebrity sporting a daring new look? Well, guess who’s turned up with a makeover this season? It’s none other than Tesla's Model 3- again! The Highland Project rumor mill is reaching fever pitch, with the launch imminent we are getting more and more information slowly leaking out.

A group of updated Tesla Model 3—dressed up in heavy camo, reminiscent of celebrities trying to dodge paparazzi—was caught in the wild terrains of Xinjiang. And it wasn’t on a sightseeing tour. Oh no. This car was reportedly braving the heat for some high-temperature testing.

Most recent reports suggest that Giga Shanghai has already kick-started its trial production. And if all goes well, which given Tesla’s track record seems likely, the first set of car keys could be handed to customers by the end of September.

But what really makes us pay attention is the new Model 3’s price tag. Reports suggest that Tesla might’ve mastered the art of budgeting since the new version might start at RMB 200,000 (or about $27,400). For context, that's a bit of a markdown from the current Model 3 RMB 231,000 ($31,800) price tag. That's of cource pricing for the Chinese market.

In one of these spy shots, the keen-eyed might notice the driver’s hand firmly grasping... a steering wheel. Yes, wheel. Not yoke. And if that's not nostalgic enough, the lights might remind you of its elder sibling, the Model S. But hey, family resemblance isn't a bad thing, right?

By early September, Tesla’s production capacity at the Shanghai Giga is anticipated to churn out roughly 1,200 units. According to some reports, the revamped Model 3 will reportedly skip on radars and embrace the HW 3.5. A little surprising, considering the buzz around HW 4. But, as Tesla says, sometimes (or rather, often) less is more.

Via