Heavily Updated Tesla Model 3 Revealed For Global Markets; US Release Imminent
After having been leaked several times in the past few months, Tesla has officially revealed the facelifted version of its cheapest car for the European and Chinese markets. Codenamed “Project Highland,” the updated Model 3 features new styling, a more premium interior, and more claimed range.
On the outside, the front end is entirely new, the taillights are revised, and new wheel designs are present. While far from a full redesign, the Model 3 follows the formula Tesla has used on the Model S in the past, taking “facelift” quite literally.
Inside, the overall design remains similar though the dashboard, door panels, and seats have been slightly restyled. The steering wheel drops its stalks in favor of buttons for the turn signals and wipers. A 17-speaker sound system replaces the 14-speaker setup, and ventilated seats are now available for the first time. Tesla says the whole cabin has been made quieter thanks to greater sound deadening and acoustic glass.
As before, the large central infotainment display is the focal point of the cabin. However, an 8-inch touchscreen has been added to the rear of the center console, allowing back seat passengers to watch Netflix as well as adjust climate control and heated seats.
Tesla also claims a greater maximum driving range. The new Model 3 is advertised on the European Tesla website with up to 629 kilometers of range, which translates to roughly 390 miles. However, the Euro WLTP and US EPA testing cycles differ significantly, so US range estimates should be closer to the 333-mile figure of the current Long Range variant.
The new Model 3 has not yet been added to the US website, although it is expected to show up any day now. This week, discounts of up to $5,500 were shown on existing-inventory 3s, suggesting the refresh release is imminent.
Along with this, the shorter-range versions of the Model S and X have been dropped, but the base prices of the remaining Long Range and Plaid versions have been cut by anywhere from $10,000 to $18,500. This shuffling of models and prices is consistent with what Tesla has done in the past around the same time as new launches.
2024 Hyundai Elantra Gets New Face and New Features
Despite only being around in its current generation for two years, Hyundai’s compact sedan is receiving a healthy update with tons of new features.
All variants of the 2024 Elantra feature a new front end that’s similar to the recently-revealed 2024 Sonata. Slimmer headlights, a wider grille, and flatter hood are all key design elements. The sides and rear largely stay the same as the 2023 model, with only minor bumper changes on certain versions.
Engine and drivetrain options also remain the same, though the performance-oriented N model gets revised engine mounts, suspension bushings, and retuned stability control. The N features a 276-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed DCT; regular gas and hybrid Elantras come standard with a non-turbo 2.0-liter or 1.6-liter depending on trim level.
All Elantras now come with more standard equipment, and a few new convenience features are available. You can now use your cell phone as a key, a first for the compact car class. Additionally, two USB-C charge ports are added to the rear seat area, and the wireless charger up front has been improved. Rear side airbags are now standard across the lineup, as well as extra soft-touch materials on the door panels.
Pricing has not yet been released, and the 2024 Elantra family will go on sale sometime this fall.
Base 2024 Jeep Wranglers Don’t Get the Facelift’s New Face
For 2024, Jeep has upgraded the popular Wrangler SUV with new front-end styling, new side curtain airbags, and a significantly more premium interior. Interestingly, Motor Trend noticed that the updated grille and headlights only appear to apply to certain trim levels.
While the visual tweaks are minor and you’d have to look very closely to notice them, Jeep’s online configurator shows the changes apply to every variant of the off-roader except the base Sport and Sport S. Weirdly, all trims of the plug-in hybrid 4XE receive the updates, including base models.
Upon reaching out to Jeep, MT was told that “the move helps differentiate the upper-level models from the Sports, as well as helps keep those models’ price points lower.” It’s worth noting that Stellantis has a history of offering its old-generation products alongside new ones, as the JK Wrangler was briefly sold in 2018 with the JL, and you can still buy the over-ten-year-old Ram 1500 Classic to this day. The only difference is that this is still the JL Wrangler, just a facelifted version.
Inside, the Sport and Sport S trims still offer the 12.3-inch infotainment system and revised dashboard design that every other trim level features. Pricing starts from $33,690 in two-door form, and you have to step up to the $41,190 Willys variant for the new appearance. Although, I’m sure the parts will soon be available aftermarket for much cheaper.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a Rolling Piece of Art
To prepare for an electric future, Alfa Romeo is pulling from its past by revealing a new supercar, the 33 Stradale. While the original 33 Stradale from the 1960s was a road-going counterpart to the 33 Tipo race car, this new rendition instead shares many of its underpinnings with the Maserati MC20.
Beautiful bodywork adorns the Italian automaker’s new halo car, with flowing lines, butterfly doors, and an airy glass canopy being highlights. Its decidedly retro-modern styling is meant to bridge the gap between past and future. This also applies to the interior, which is minimalistic and features physical switchgear and a single display screen for the driver.
Underneath, the 33 Stradale shares its wheelbase, chassis components, and standard gas engine with its Trident-bearing cousin. The basic drivetrain option is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing north of 620 horsepower with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. While Alfa Romeo is quiet on details, a battery electric version will also be available, producing over 750 horsepower with a targeted driving range of 240 miles. Despite the extra weight, both options will send the car from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds.
The production split between gas and battery powertrains will be decided by customer preference. Alfa Romeo is only planning to build 33 examples of the 33 Stradale, 15 more than were ever produced of the original. No pricing has been released, as Alfa says all 33 units are already spoken for.
V8 Ram TRX Goes Extinct With $120,000 Final Edition
Somewhat unexpectedly, Ram has announced the discontinuation of its top-end TRX pickup truck at the end of calendar year 2023. The lineup will include a literally-named Final Edition for the 2024 model year with unique touches and a hefty price tag.
Available in a few unique paint colors (Delmonico Red, Night Edge Blue, and Harvest Sunset), the Final Edition features Satin Titanium beadlock wheels and color-matching bedside and hood graphics. Inside, the seats and other surfaces are dressed up with contrast stitching and matte carbon fiber trim. The center console lid is adorned with a plaque with the truck’s build number, while the seats receive unique “TRX” embroidery.
Ram will build 4,000 units of the Final Edition, with pricing starting at $119,620. That price does include additional standard features, like the 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, digital gauge cluster, and heads-up display. The regular version of the TRX will also be available from $87K upwards. The truck’s fire-breathing supercharged 6.2 liter V8 engine is unchanged, producing 702 horsepower in both versions.
Despite its looming death as we know it, rumors have begun to circulate that the TRX nameplate may return with a hopped-up version of the new Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six. A performance version of the upcoming REV electric pickup may also be in the works.
2024 VW GTI 380 Signals End of Life For Manual Transmissions
Also surprisingly, Volkswagen has announced the manual transmission will no longer be offered in the GTI hot hatchback after next year.
For the final year of production, all manual GTIs will come with the just-revealed 380 package, named after the Mk8 Golf’s internal model code. Exterior changes are fairly minor, with 19-inch black wheels stolen from the Golf R, a black roof, black side mirror caps, and a new paint option called Graphite Grey Metallic.
No changes have been made to the cabin of the GTI, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine still puts out 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. However, the adaptive dampers from the Autobahn trim are now standard on all manual-transmission models.
Volkswagen hasn’t said why it’s killing the manual, though it’s predicted that VW views it as a significant cost-saving measure with the increasingly strict emissions regulations in Europe.
The Golf R hatchback will also lose its six-speed after 2024, though the Jetta GLI sedan will continue to offer it. All three cars will still be available with the seven-speed DSG.
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