Hey everyone, DennisCW here! If you're a Tesla enthusiast like me, you're probably buzzing about the latest spotting on the Model 3. We've got some intriguing photos of a front bumper camera cover—not the camera itself just yet, but it's a huge hint at what's coming down the pipeline. In this post, I'll break down the details from my recent video, share some speculation, and touch on other Tesla news that's got the community talking. Let's dive in!
Picture this: You're picking up your brand-new Tesla Model 3, and you notice a peculiar notch on the front bumper. That's exactly what some folks are reporting, especially on the 2025 Model 3 Performance models built as recently as August 21st. This was first spotted on Tesla Motors Club in their pending orders section—shoutout to Edson for tipping me off about it just a couple of hours before I went live!
From what we've seen, this camera cover is appearing on Performance variants that arrived at service centers, but not on the Long Range or Standard Range models. It's not confirmed if the actual camera is installed yet, but this could mean Tesla is gearing up for a rollout. Why start with the Performance? It makes sense—it's the top-tier model with the highest price point and profit margins, so it gets the premium features first.
What's even more exciting is the potential for retrofits. If your current Model 3 Highland doesn't have this, maybe a service center could easily add it later. Or perhaps Tesla is producing bumpers this way to make upgrades straightforward. Either way, we're likely on the cusp of front bumper cameras becoming a reality for the Model 3. This could explain some recent delivery delays—Tesla might be holding back to integrate this tech seamlessly.
If you've taken delivery recently, check your front bumper and let me know in the comments: Do you see the notch? And if you're waiting to order, would this push you to buy now or hold off for the full feature?
The excitement doesn't stop there. We've also got a fresh spotting of a Model Y prototype cruising around the Bay Area. This one's decked out with some standout changes:
What could this mean? We're still awaiting the Model Y Performance refresh, possibly dropping this month, along with rumors of a six-seater version for the US, an affordable Model Y in Q4, and more. Keep your eyes peeled—Tesla's got big things brewing.
On a fun note, at a recent owner's event at the Tesla Diner, an all-black autonomous Tesla robot was stealing the show. It was serving popcorn, moving around smoothly, and looking sleek with the Tesla Diner logo on its chest. If you got an invite or attended, drop your thoughts below—what did you think of this shadowy bot?
Tesla's strategy here is smart—they're teasing these features without fully committing, probably to avoid delaying orders into the next quarter. But if the front bumper camera does land soon, is it a game-changer for you? Would it make you rush to place an order, or are you holding out for more? Sound off in the comments—I love hearing from the community!
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Thanks for reading, folks! If you enjoyed this, check out my YouTube channel for more Tesla updates. What do you think is next for the Model 3 and Y? Let me know below.
Stay charged, DennisCW
Tesla enthusiast and EV expert. Sharing tips on maximizing your Tesla ownership experience.