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Tesla Model 3 poised for power liftgate, center console upgrade, new ‘frunk,’ and more

The Made-in-China Model 3. (Credit: Tesla China)

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5 years ago

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Recent reports from China are suggesting that Tesla may be poised to roll out some notable improvements to the Gigafactory Shanghai-made Model 3. If the speculations prove accurate, Tesla’s most affordable sedan will soon be getting a powered lift gate and trunk, some factory chrome delete, the Model Y’s “Octovalve,” and new headlights and tail lights, to name a few.

Updated: Tesla confirms Model 3 power lift gate as standard option

The reports initially made their rounds in Chinese social media platform Weibo, where they were posted by people reportedly familiar with the matter. As shared on Twitter by Tesla owner-enthusiast @Tesla__Mania, the rumored Model 3 improvements will include a number of Model Y-inspired upgrades and some rather interesting changes that seem to have been hinted at by Elon Musk himself.

Back in July, for example, Elon Musk responded to a request from a China-based Model 3 owner who was requesting for a power liftgate upgrade. The owner in question had lost his ability to use his legs, which made it challenging to use the Model 3’s manual liftgate and trunk. Responding to the story, Elon Musk stated that Tesla would be installing a power liftgate upgrade for the owner’s Model 3 free of charge. These, of course, inspired speculations that the feature will eventually be made standard for the Model 3.

Other features that were mentioned in the rumor, such as the utilization of the Model Y’s “Octovalve” and a new frunk, were also hinted at by owners in the West. Just last month, reports emerged from Model 3 buyers indicating that Tesla has updated the design of the all-electric sedan’s frunk. Considering that the updated design of the Model 3’s frunk was very similar to the Model Y’s, speculations emerged that Tesla may be looking to use some of the all-electric crossover’s most notable features — like its “Octovalve” and heat pump — on its midsized sedan as well.

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(Credit: Weibo)

The same is true for the rumored Made-in-China Model 3 improvements relating to the vehicle’s headlights and tail lights. Tesla did not officially announce any improvements to these components in the Model 3, but reports from owners have indicated that newer vehicles are equipped with brighter and clearer tail lights. As for the factory chrome delete option, such speculations do not seem farfetched at all as the Model Y already ships with no chrome accents.

Perhaps the most interesting parts of the recent rumors from China are the new steering wheel, the “2.0” version of the center console, and a double layer glass for better noise isolation. It appears that these speculated upgrades have not been reported by recent Model 3 owners yet, though they do go in line with Tesla’s tendency to roll out consistent improvements to its vehicles over time. Better noise isolation would definitely be a welcome upgrade for the Model 3, seeing as wind noise tends to get noticeable at high speeds. This is partly due to the lack of an internal combustion engine, which usually muffles or overtakes wind noise in traditional cars.

H/T @Tesla_Mania.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Tesla adjusts Online Design Studio for easier trade-in process

Tesla has a great trade-in program that allows you to give the company your vehicle in exchange for cash, even if it’s not an EV. Their trades are mostly fair, but the company seems to undervalue its own vehicles, and there have been plenty of complaints over offers in the past.

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15 hours ago

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November 8, 2025

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(Credit: Tesla Asia | X)

Tesla has adjusted its Online Design Studio to make for an easier trade-in process, reflecting the details of the exchange for a more accurate reflection of payment terms.

Tesla has a great trade-in program that allows you to give the company your vehicle in exchange for cash, even if it’s not an EV. Their trades are mostly fair, but the company seems to undervalue its own vehicles, and there have been plenty of complaints over offers in the past.

Trade-ins are usually given by submitting vehicle details, then Tesla sends an email with an offer. Offers are non-negotiable, but do adjust over time, although the latest offer is valid for 30 days.

I traded my ICE vehicle for a Tesla Model Y: here’s how it went

Knowing your new Tesla’s cash price, leasing or loan details, and monthly payment information used to be done by the car buyer. From personal experience, I simply subtracted my trade-in from the cash price of the Tesla Model Y, and I plugged those numbers into the payment calculator.

Now, Tesla is implementing the trade-in process directly into the Design Studio. It will adjust the price of the car and the different monthly payment methods automatically:

The change is already noticed in a handful of states, including California, but it has not rolled out across the board quite yet. It will be implemented in all of the U.S., as well as Canada, this coming week.

The trade-in process is very simple, and after you accept your offer, you simply drop your vehicle off during the delivery process. Making this simple change will be greatly appreciated by owners.

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Tesla confirms Robotaxi is heading to five new cities in the U.S.

After launching in Austin, Texas, in late June and the Bay Area of California just a few weeks later, Tesla has been attempting to expand its Robotaxi suite to new states and cities in the U.S., and even outside of the country.

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21 hours ago

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November 8, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla Robotaxi will hit five new cities in the United States in the coming months, the company confirmed.

After launching in Austin, Texas, in late June and the Bay Area of California just a few weeks later, Tesla has been attempting to expand its Robotaxi suite to new states and cities in the U.S., and even outside of the country.

The Robotaxi suite is a ride-hailing service Tesla offers, but the details of it change with each jurisdiction, as regulations vary. For example, in Austin, Tesla can operate the Robotaxi suite without anyone in the driver’s seat, as long as the vehicle does not enter a freeway.

Credit: Tesla

In the Bay Area, a Safety Monitor rides in the driver’s seat, essentially acting as the vehicle operator with Full Self-Driving controlling the car.

The local regulations and how Tesla handles them will continue to be a relevant part of the discussion, especially as the company aims to expand the Robotaxi program to different areas. This has been a primary focus of the company for several months, especially within the United States.

CEO Elon Musk said that Tesla was aiming to launch Robotaxi in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. However, the company detailed five specific cities where it will launch Robotaxi next during the Annual Shareholder Meeting on Thursday.

Tesla will launch Robotaxi in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami next, broadening its Service Area for the suite to more major cities across the U.S.

It has said it plans to offer the service to half of the U.S. population by the end of the year, but it does not seem as if it will expand to more than a handful of cities this year, which is still tremendous progress, all things considered.

As far as autonomy is concerned, Tesla has always had lofty expectations and has made some even loftier statements.

At the Shareholder Meeting, Musk said that the company would likely be able to enable vehicle owners to text while the vehicle drives, alleviating them from potentially having some of the responsibility they have behind the wheel.

Tesla says texting and driving capability is coming ‘in a month or two’

It is not confirmed that Tesla will roll this out in the next few months, but Musk said there is a possibility.

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Tesla launches another new Model Y trim at a bargain price with massive range

It is the second most-affordable Model Y trim level in China, trailing the base Rear-Wheel-Drive and coming in under the All-Wheel-Drive.

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23 hours ago

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November 8, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla has launched yet another new Model Y trim level, but this time it is in China, and it is at a bargain price.

It also has an insane range rating.

On Friday, Tesla launched the new Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive in China, priced at 288,500 yuan ($40,500), an incredible deal considering it is not a stripped-down version of the vehicle like the Model Y Standard.

It is the second most-affordable Model Y trim level in China, trailing the base Rear-Wheel-Drive and coming in under the All-Wheel-Drive.

The big appeal with this new Model Y trim is obviously its price, but its range rating is also one of the best we’ve seen. Rated at 821 kilometers on the CLTC scale, it converts to 510 miles. It uses a 78.4 kWh CATL battery.

Converted to real-world range, however, that 821-kilometer range rated by the CLTC actually is equivalent to about 357 miles on the EPA scale, which is still a very respectable number and comes in at a higher range than the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive configuration that is available in the U.S.

Tesla has truly brought a wide variety of Model Y trims to the Chinese market, including a new Model Y L configuration that features a slightly longer wheelbase, as well as additional interior features like extended thigh legrests and captain’s chairs with armrests.

It is unclear whether Tesla will bring a Premium Rear-Wheel-Drive option of the Model Y to the U.S., especially as it has already rolled out four configurations of the all-electric crossover in the market. With the new Standard offerings, Tesla will likely keep its lineup as simple as possible.

However, the company has hinted that there is a slim possibility the Model Y L could come to the U.S. sometime late next year, but CEO Elon Musk said that it is not a guarantee.

Tesla is more concerned with self-driving efforts in the U.S., and despite calls from customers for larger vehicles, it does not seem concerned with making them available, at least not for now.

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