The Tesla family is a dynasty in the EV world. From the Model 3 to the Model Y and Cybertruck, Tesla knows its stuff. That said, I came across a Reddit thread discussing the fact that the newest production Model 3s would have a front bumper camera, and Tesla, as of now, wasn’t planning on offering any type of retrofitting option to current owners. This specifically is causing Highland owners to get pissed about the fact that they will never achieve full autonomous status on the road without the front bumper camera, and honestly, I see where the pain point is. If I wanted my car to be fully self-driving and sustaining, I would want the front bumper camera. It’s cut and dry. The zero retrofitting options approach Tesla currently has isn’t working, and it’s getting people in a very, very sour headspace. Keep reading.
- Base Trim Engine
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Electric
- Base Trim Transmission
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Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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295 HP @7000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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309.3 lb.-ft.
- Base Trim Fuel Economy Equivalent (city/highway/combined)
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145/128/137 mpge
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lithium ion battery
- Make
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Tesla
- Model
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Model 3
Tesla Says No To Retrofitting Model 3s With A Front Bumper Camera
If you own or lease a Model 3 that doesn’t have the newest front bumper camera, you’re in the majority. However, a Reddit conversation I stumbled into essentially laid out how unfair this whole thing is to those who have been loyal Tesla fans and followers. Since the news broke that the newest Model 3s would have the front bumper camera, retrofitting has been a trending discussion for people online, in person, and anywhere else they can hoot and holler.
Some people argue that FSD currently works just fine, even without the coveted front bumper camera, but in all honesty, I think they’re wearing rose colored glasses. Part of the allure of Tesla is that it’s the car of the future. Therefore, with no front bumper camera and limited full self-driving capabilities, it’s a relatively expensive car of the present. Sorry, Elon.
Give The People What They Want!
Retrofitting a front bumper camera doesn’t have to be a bloodbath. Truly. Tesla should listen to what owners are saying and offer a retrofitting solution to Model 3 owners who aren’t ready to spend $40,000+ on a new car altogether. One commenter says it perfectly, IMO:
It’s funny seeing everyone say it’s not required. Yeah, not yet. Not until they realize they need it to become fully autonomous. People say it only helps FSD in parking lots, are parking lots not a part of being fully autonomous? If the model 3 highland isn’t capable of being fully autonomous BECAUSE of a lack of a front bumper cam, then sh*ts going to hit the fan.
That part:
TL;DR: Tesla does not offer a front bumper camera retrofit for existing Model 3s, despite adding them to new vehicles. While some owners hoped for a retrofit similar to the Model S and Model X, Tesla has confirmed that it has no plans for a Model 3 retrofit, causing frustration for owners who have vehicles with the camera’s empty cutout.
Source: Reddit