Tesla's Model 3 refresh: still behind but no longer a terrible car?

[hmp10]

Anthropologists posit a strong connection between the flexibility of our hands (especially the opposable thumbs) and the size of the human brain. Humans have evolved exquisitely sensitive fingertips with the ability to manipulate objects precisely even without visual input.

Using icons on a smooth piece of glass (or low relief buttons on a flat plane) to control or manipulate things ignores how our hands and brains evolved and shifts the emphasis much more to visual stimuli than to the tactile stimuli for which we are adapted.

The current trend to move us away from tactile controls to computer screens has a lot more to do with manufacturing costs, data tracking, and feature licensing fees than it has to do with intuitive and fluid operation of a vehicle.

I find it interesting that most video games and drones use manual controllers instead of screens. There's a reason for that.

 

[RM-S8]

Anthropologists posit a strong connection between the flexibility of our hands (especially the opposable thumbs) and the size of the human brain. Humans have evolved exquisitely sensitive fingertips with the ability to manipulate objects precisely even without visual input.

Using icons on a smooth piece of glass (or low relief buttons on a flat plane) to control or manipulate things ignores h
I find it interesting that most video games and drones use manual controllers instead of screens. There's a reason for that.

I'll take that a notch further.
Why Boeing/Airbus doesn't use Tesla's approach?
Maybe because...after few months of training and crashes it's not as intuitive as @DBV suggested it is?

 

[Bus Driver]

Tesla’s innovation of putting almost all non-driving related functions on a big centre screen was a real novelty a decade ago. They took it a step further with the introduction of the Model 3 and Y series when they then threw even driving related functions on the big centre screen too - the only screen on those models.

I’ve since longed to move away from Tesla and one of Elon’s big ideas - the giant centre, do-everything screen. Unfortunately that feature has become ubiquitous in today’s latest autos. As much as I love my Lucid, I’ve long decided that using a touch screen to do anything, especially while driving, is not a great idea.

Typing in addresses, searching for music, adjusting volume, setting your HVAC, setting your seat and door mirrors, etc, etc. All of it is made more difficult when required to be done on a touch screen, especiall when you’re in motion.

Ever the luddite of the group I say bring back buttons, knobs and stalks.

 

[Volund]

After having the Yoke and no stalks for 18 months - I have 0 issues with what you stated above. And I have driven in all weather conditions too living in a snowy climate. (38,000 miles). Yoke and having touch controls are second nature and are a no brainer. I never look either. Actually think it is safer.

Your mind and hands get used to all those quickly. Would be hard to go back to normal steering wheel and stalks.

11:55
Most people have issues with it

 

[Volund]

Ha - I just did. People need to give it up.

And on the touchscreens Lucid has those too as do most cars now. I do agree those are dangerous as you do have to look over, but those have nothing to do with no stalks and the Yoke.

Get tired of the constant Tesla bashing on this forum. Not sure why some have to do that. I come here to learn about Lucid and learn from people’s experiences - not hear the constant negativity of Tesla. If I buy a Lucid Air - it won’t be because I dislike my Model S.

You fail to realize most people here have or have owned a Tesla

We don't bash it because we're haters. Many of us hate it after using it

 

[Genghis]

11:55
Most people have issues with it

One of the best comments I read about removing the stalks was that it's one of those solutions to a non-existent problem.

 

[joec]

One of the best comments I read about removing the stalks was that it's one of those solutions to a non-existent problem.

Well, unless the problem is you want to increase your margins by removing parts wherever possible.

 

[DeaneG]

Well, unless the problem is you want to increase your margins by removing parts wherever possible.

Stalks, Radar, ultrasonic parking sensors, and those little things the Model 3 never had: blind spot warning lights in the side mirrors, 360-deg parking cams.

 

[hmp10]

Well, unless the problem is you want to increase your margins by removing parts wherever possible.

. . . although Tesla did have to create new parts (the turn signal buttons) to replace the stalk, and they have added quite a bit of hardware content to the upcoming Model 3.

I think this was more about the visuals of the yoke and not wanting stalks sticking out behind it and to support the marking hype that Teslas would soon be dispensing with steering mechanisms altogether once true FSD arrives next week . . . no, next month . . . no, next year . . . .

That yoke was a misbegotten concept from the get-go. We've spent two years trying to get used to it and have finally decided to swap it for the wheel the next time the car goes into service. But we're stuck with these turn signal buttons either way.

 

[thecodingart]

. . . although Tesla did have to create new parts (the turn signal buttons) to replace the stalk, and they have added quite a bit of hardware content to the upcoming Model 3.

I think this was more about the visuals of the yoke and not wanting stalks sticking out behind it and to support the marking hype that Teslas would soon be dispensing with steering mechanisms altogether once true FSD arrives next week . . . no, next month . . . no, next year . . . .

That yoke was a misbegotten concept from the get-go. We've spent two years trying to get used to it and have finally decided to swap it for the wheel the next time the car goes into service. But we're stuck with these turn signal buttons either way.

Oh definitely not. This is 100% about making a cheaper vehicle and leaning more into software and centralized dynamic controls recovering the cost. It's definitely _not_ an aesthetic thing...

 

[joec]

. . . although Tesla did have to create new parts (the turn signal buttons) to replace the stalk, and they have added quite a bit of hardware content to the upcoming Model 3.

I think this was more about the visuals of the yoke and not wanting stalks sticking out behind it and to support the marking hype that Teslas would soon be dispensing with steering mechanisms altogether once true FSD arrives next week . . . no, next month . . . no, next year . . . .

That yoke was a misbegotten concept from the get-go. We've spent two years trying to get used to it and have finally decided to swap it for the wheel the next time the car goes into service. But we're stuck with these turn signal buttons either way.

I was thinking more that the cost savings comes from having the same wheel on every car they make. Since the S and X now have this wheel, why not share it with the 3 (and soon Y)? Also simplifies the software to have these functions all shared.

 

[xponents]

I was thinking more that the cost savings comes from having the same wheel on every car they make. Since the S and X now have this wheel, why not share it with the 3 (and soon Y)? Also simplifies the software to have these functions all shared.

The thing is, it isnt the same wheel...


Highland 3:

Palladium S

 

[joec]

Interesting. Okay. So there goes that theory.

 

[thecodingart]

Interesting. Okay. So there goes that theory.

Well not quite. Any reduction in parts is a huge cost savings item in volume. When speaking in terms of reuseability, there’s a hardware/software factor to take into consideration here as well.

 

[hmp10]

The thing is, it isnt the same wheel...


Highland 3:

View attachment 14685


Palladium S
View attachment 14686

I was hoping that if we switched to the wheel on our Model S, the new wheel would at least put the turn signal buttons on the respective side of the wheel for the turn as does Ferrari. There is no reason some of the buttons that occupy the right side of the wheel could not be put on the left side to free up the space. Trying to locate the correct button when the yoke/wheel is off center is aggravating. Honestly, I don’t know where they get the nunchucks who design this stuff.

 

[stealth]

Reviving this thread to share that Auto Focus (MKBL) posted a well produced, and seemingly candid review video a few days ago of the 2024 Model 3 refresh.

It now appears to be a lot closer to the Model S in terms of trim materials, styling, and features that I wonder how a value-minded consumer could justify the massive price difference between the two vehicles.

Dare I say, they seem to have taken some elements of the interior and exterior styling from the Lucid Air... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"

 

[xponents]

Reviving this thread to share that Auto Focus (MKBL) posted a well produced, and seemingly candid review video a few days ago of the 2024 Model 3 refresh.

It now appears to be a lot closer to the Model S in terms of trim materials, styling, and features that I wonder how a value-minded consumer could justify the massive price difference between the two vehicles.

Dare I say, they seem to have taken some elements of the interior and exterior styling from the Lucid Air... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"

I do see what you mean, with the use of fabrics and materials of the sort!

 

[borski]

Reviving this thread to share that Auto Focus (MKBL) posted a well produced, and seemingly candid review video a few days ago of the 2024 Model 3 refresh.

It now appears to be a lot closer to the Model S in terms of trim materials, styling, and features that I wonder how a value-minded consumer could justify the massive price difference between the two vehicles.

Dare I say, they seem to have taken some elements of the interior and exterior styling from the Lucid Air... "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"

It's definitely better. I still can't get over the lack of stalks, or the turn signals on the same side, or the switching gears via a touchscreen...

But it's definitely better. I'll be curious to see how it holds up over time in terms of rattles and the like.

 

[EXOTIC2]

Cousin in Europe has the new highland 3 says it’s significant upgrade overall fit/finish from previous 3 ( one of the best selling cars in the world) in between the old 3 and current S.

 

[stealth]

Cousin in Europe has the new highland 3 says it’s significant upgrade overall fit/finish from previous 3 ( one of the best selling cars in the world) in between the old 3 and current S.

This begs the question of a consumer value proposition dilemma where the refreshed Model 3 will cannibalize their Model S sales, especially the non-plaid spec vehicle. An interesting move and interesting timing given minimal speculation of a refresh for the Model S.

That said, I love to see the enhancements to the Model 3 as this is progress and helps the entire EV segment. We all benefit when the bar is raised.