Tesla was supposed to launch the Model 3 in 2017 with air suspension. The added complexities and a difficult production ramp forced the automaker to abandon the feature at the last minute.
Since its launch however, evidence of the feature coming back to the electric sedan has appeared multiple times in online training manuals and firmware source code.
Elon Musk has shot down many of these rumours. In response to related parts appearing in the Parts Catalog in 2020, Musk said air suspension will only be available on the Model S/X and Cybertruck.
Despite the repeated denials, air suspension for the Model 3 has reappeared yet again in the Parts Catalog.
In the Israeli version of the Parts Catalog, there is a separate ‘Model 3 parts list,’ which details 2,116 different parts for the electric sedan.
Buried within that list is an “Air Suspension Compress and Reservoir.” (h/t: @tesla_adri)
It could be the case that this is an outdated list that was mistakenly added to the website. However the disclaimer says it was last updated on February 15, 2022.
Additionally, the part number (1044911-00-B) is identical to the same part in the Model S or Model X, with the exception of the final letter (1044911-00-D), indicating a very similar but slightly different part.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Musk deny again that air suspension is coming to the Model 3, but it is interesting that it keeps on making appearances in official Tesla documentation.
