Tesla Model 3: updated version of the blue release candidate spotted

It’s not clear how many Tesla Model 3 release candidates have been spotted since Tesla launched the testing program last month. We have definitely seen two prototypes, one blue and one black, and a new blue release candidate might have been spotted this week – or at least an update version of the same blue release candidate.

The last time we saw the blue Model 3 release candidate 2 weeks ago, it had holes in the front-end with wires coming out and a covered charge port door in the back.

This one spotted by Charlie Cho‎ (via Tesla Model 3 Facebook group) yesterday has a more production-looking finish and a new charge port door that is not completely blacked out like the last one.

But like the previous sighting, it also features the ‘Tesla’ badging front and rear – something the black release candidate didn’t have when it was first spotted last month.

Here are the pictures of the new or updated blue release candidate:

Aside from the cleaner front-end, the biggest difference is clearly what is expected to be the charge port door, which seems to be incorporated inside a back light – just like in the Model S and Model X.

Here’s the difference between the last sighting (left) and this new one (right):

Of course, we are more interested in the connector behind the charge port door. As we previously reported, while Tesla hasn’t confirmed that it will use the same proprietary plug as the Model S and X, it is the most likely outcome. But the Model 3 could set the charging standard for electric vehicles with next generation charging technology and simply through sheer numbers.

As we like to remind everyone when we spot the Model 3 release candidates, the vehicles are being tested with different prototypes at different stages of readiness and therefore, we need to be careful before assuming that certain features will be in the production version, which is still expected to be released in July.