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Closer look at new Tesla Model 3 updates and features after first US, Canada deliveries

(Credit: Mahdi Askarzadeh)

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6 years ago

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Some new Tesla Model 3 features have been confirmed by at least two reservation holders who recently received their all-electric sedans. Tesla delivered another new Model 3 with the refreshed exterior and interior in British Columbia, Canada to Mahdi Askarzadeh.  

Askarzadeh shared a video of his new Model 3 around the same time fellow Tesla owner David Narayan reported one of the first refreshed Model 3 deliveries in the United States. Askarzadeh provided some answers to common questions about the refreshed Model 3. 

In his first video, Askarzadeh gave his viewers a closer look at the Model 3’s new Aero wheels. As previously stated by Teslarati, there were few fans of the old Aero wheel design. With the refresh, Tesla gave the wheel a cover with an updated, somewhat flatter design. Askarzadeh took off his Model 3’s updated Aero wheel cover, revealing that the vehicle still maintains its old wheel design underneath. 

Credit: u/kawikados/Reddit

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At face value, the quality of new Model 3’s fit and finish seems on par with the previous version. Askarzadeh showed the interior of his car’s door and noted the hard plastic Tesla used as well as its matte finish. He was also told that the cushions used in the Model 3’s seats were a little different. 

In a second video, Askarzadeh said that the new Model 3’s steering wheel did not have heating functions yet, but it did have heated seats. He also played with the headlight controls and could move them up and down minimally. 

David Narayan, who goes by the username u/kawikados on Reddit, revealed some details about his new Model 3 via the r/TeslaModel3 subreddit. He said that only the front windows were double-paned. Narayan also noticed some minor gaps in the trunk and wheel bearings of his car. On Instagram, the new Model 3 owner said he could charge his AirPod Pros through the wireless charging pads, as long as he places them on something to reach the coils. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Had a tons of questions about see a few things up close. Hopefully this sheds some light on a few things.

A post shared by David Kainoa Joshua Narayan (@kawikados) on

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Askarzadeh and Narayan didn’t talk much about the new Model 3’s heat pump in their videos. However, Tesla has confirmed its existence by formally adding the heat pump to the Model 3’s parts catalog and talking about it during the Q3 earnings call. The heat pump is expected to improve the efficiency of the Model 3, which should prove invaluable in places that experience frigid weather. 

“I was just going to say, I mean, I think one of the things we focused on with the Model Y and now Model 3 heat pump system was learning how to build a tightly integrated system capable of moving heat to and from anywhere really, powertrain, battery, cabin, the environment, outside ambient temperatures, all the way down to like negative 20 C, so 30 C,” said Tesla’s Senior VP of Powertrain and Energy Engineering Drew Baglino at the last earnings call.

Askarzadeh might be one of the first reservation holders to receive Tesla’s new Model 3 in Canada. Based on Askarzadeh and Narayan’s accounts, it seems that Tesla has started conducting deliveries for its refreshed Model 3 to customers.

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Check out Askarzadeh’s videos about his refreshed Tesla Model 3 in the videos below.

 
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Maria--aka "M"-- is an experienced writer and book editor. She's written about several topics including health, tech, and politics. As a book editor, she's worked with authors who write Sci-Fi, Romance, and Dark Fantasy. M loves hearing from TESLARATI readers. If you have any tips or article ideas, contact her at maria@teslarati.com or via X, @Writer_01001101.

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Tesla patent reveals strategy for solving major Full Self-Driving, Optimus issue

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48 minutes ago

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May 26, 2026

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Credit: Tesla

A new Tesla patent that has been granted to the company this week has revealed a potential strategy for solving a major issue that could impact both the Full Self-Driving suite and Optimus.

The patent, which is No. 12,636,684, describes a “Lens Cleaning System,” and was submitted by Tesla in May 2025.

The language in the patent details a lens cleaning system that can dispense fluid and wipe it away with a wiper assembly.

This would effectively clean any debris that would potentially impact the visibility of the cameras on Tesla automobiles or Optimus’s camera eyes. Perhaps the most pertinent example is through the Full Self-Driving suite, as debris that can accumulate on the vehicle’s exterior cameras can impact the suite’s ability to operate effectively.

This requires a remedy through manual cleaning, but this patent hints that Tesla could be planning to implement this new technology on its upcoming vehicles.

Interestingly, we have started to see it on some Robotaxi vehicles, and it will likely be included in the Cybercab, especially as that vehicle will enable full autonomy.

Back in January, the first Model Y Robotaxi units were spotted with camera washers on the side repeaters, as the video below shows fluid squirting and rinsing off any debris that is limiting visibility.

This hardware patent does bring up an interesting question for those of us who own Teslas with AI4 and have been told that our cars will one day be capable of full autonomy: Will this washer be available as a retrofit on already-built cars?

Perhaps the “Lens Cleaning System” patent is a good look at one way Tesla plans to combat one of the most obvious issues of autonomy that utilizes a camera-based system. For Optimus, it could be less needed as it could be manually cleaned by owners. For cars, it seems like a bigger necessity, especially as autonomy nears and Tesla gets close to launching a feature-complete FSD suite.

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SpaceX Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee, grabbing three of the ‘Big Four’

Published

3 hours ago

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May 26, 2026

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Credit: American Airlines

SpaceX’s Starlink product has just gotten its latest airline adoptee, and the move marks the successful partnership of three of the “Big Four” U.S. airlines.

American Airlines announced on Tuesday that it would utilize Starlink in more than 500 narrowbody aircraft beginning in the first quarter of 2027. These include the Airbus aircraft in its fleet, including the new A321XLR and A321neo.

With the new partnership with American Airlines, Starlink is now present on three of the largest airlines in the country: American, United, and Southwest.

Starlink gets its latest airline adoptee for stable and reliable internet access

Starlink’s VP of Enterprise Sales, Jason Fritch, said:

“We are proud to bring Starlink on board American Airlines, delivering fast and reliable internet to passengers and crew. Whether traveling for leisure or business, Starlink enables a fully connected experience gate to gate, making every flight smoother and more enjoyable.”

Additionally, American Airlines Chief Customer Officer, Heather Garboden, said:

“As a premium global airline, we are continuously seeking out world-class partners like Starlink to deliver what our customers need and want. The addition of Starlink solidifies American as a leading airline in keeping passengers connected in flight.”

Starlink has been on a tear over the past year, as it has continued to be adopted by a wide variety of airlines as a more consistent and reliable way to provide WiFi to its passengers. It has already gained a great reputation among residential users, but its biggest commercial application appears to be how it is being used in the air.

The only airline of the Big Four not to adopt Starlink thus far is Delta, which chose to opt for the alternative, which is Amazon Leo. CEO Ed Bastian said to Bloomberg that Delta chose Amazon’s product over Starlink’s because “the opportunities, in terms of the improved bandwidth with a much lower price point than what we’ve ever seen from Starlink, will make a big difference.”

Delta will not start installing Amazon Leo until 2028.

“Of course, we expect Starlink will be warning people that we’re going to go with an inferior product,” Bastian said. “But I’m not too worried about partnering with Amazon.”

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Cybertruck

Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim is nearing its first deliveries

Published

4 hours ago

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May 26, 2026

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Credit: Joe Tegtmeyer | X

Tesla Cybertruck’s newest trim level is nearing its first deliveries just a few months after being offered for an incredible deal.

Back in February, Tesla officially launched a new trim of the Cybertruck, the All-Wheel-Drive, starting at just $59,990. It was a lot of truck for the money, especially considering what it offered the Rear-Wheel-Drive variant for last year, which was a total flop.

The $59,990 price that was offered initially was a deal due to its 325-mile range rating, powered tonneau, three bed outlets, Powershare capability, coil springs with adaptive damping for a refined suspension feel, Steer-by-Wire and four-wheel steering, a 6′ x 4′ composite bed, towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, and a powered frunk.

Tesla is now nearing deliveries of this trim, according to watcher Sawyer Merritt, as Tesla has officially started assigning VINs to people who ordered the vehicle initially:

Earlier this month, we reported on units of the trim being spotted outside Gigafactory Texas by Joe Tegtmeyer.

Tesla Giga Texas buzzing as new Cybertruck appears to enter production

This Cybertruck trim was interesting because it was released basically out of nowhere, priced incredibly well, and gathered many orders in a small amount of time. However, CEO Elon Musk noted just days afterward that the vehicle would only be priced at this bargain level for ten days.

Tesla fans were not happy.

However, the issues with the pricing strategy have blown over since the February unveiling event, and now that deliveries are near, Tesla fans are anticipating the truck making its way to their driveways soon.

The truck is currently priced at $69,990, and deliveries for new orders are slated for between August and September 2026.

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