Rivian Hits The R2 & “One Extra Factor” R3 Out Of The Park

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If you happen to’re into EVs and on social media, this text in all probability received’t share any exhausting information, however I wished to share simply how impressed I’m with not solely Rivian’s new autos, however the consideration to element they put in and the good showmanship.

Recap

For many who aren’t conscious that Rivian has some new autos, I’ll go forward and share the video and a brief recap for individuals who don’t need to or can’t watch the 40-minute video: (article continues after video)

First off, it’s lengthy been identified that Rivian was going to make some smaller SUVs. The market calls for it! And we’ve identified for a while that this might subsequent come within the type of a five-seat SUV to compete with autos just like the Ford Bronco and possibly Bronco Sport. However Rivian didn’t cease at simply saying a short-bus model of the R1S.

They undergo the corporate’s brief historical past first. It was apparent that Rivian began with its most adventurous autos, the R1 and R1S, and solely now could be shifting down the road to lower-cost autos. They wished this “handshake to the world” to be a fantastic first impression that reveals what the corporate is all about. Different issues, like the corporate’s “areas,” budding charging community, and cell service fleet are supposed to construct on that imaginative and prescient.

However, on the similar time, not everybody can lay $80,000+ on the barrelhead for a truck. So, Rivian opened up “the following journey” with the R2. It’s quite a bit just like the R1S, with a well-recognized face, format (together with the frunk), and roomy second row of seats. It has rear glass that opens and could be eliminated, together with a sunroof to offer an open-air expertise when the climate is good. 

The inside not solely has a glovebox (one thing the R1 didn’t have), but in addition a second glove field within the heart. It’s supposed to come back with a haptic steering suggestions steering wheel, built-in flashlight holders, and seats that fold flat sufficient to camp within the car.

The R2 has 4695 format battery cells in a structural battery pack, RWD and AWD (together with a tri-motor) variants, and over 300 miles of vary. It additionally has a strong compute and sensor platform that ought to ultimately end in self-driving potential, put in a car that was designed to be inexpensive and manufacturable. Costs begin at $45,000.

However, what shocked the gang was when Rivian’s CEO casually dropped the truth that they had been going to introduce a second car, in a transfer that was harking back to Steve Jobs’ “yet another factor” routine. No one exterior of Rivian knew that there was going to be a second car introduced, and it’s a fair smaller sibling to the R1 and R2. 

R3 is our tackle what a crossover could be — constructed on the identical midsize platform as R2, however smaller and at a cheaper price level.#RivianR3 pic.twitter.com/V6nDXbF95F

— Rivian (@Rivian) March 7, 2024

Constructed on the identical platform, the R3 and R3X (efficiency variant) appears quite a bit like a retro hatchback. It’s extra of a rally automobile sort of expertise, shrunk to be an honest crossover that competes with different compact autos which might be changing into widespread within the EV house. It has the identical battery pack, motor choices, and electronics. It additionally has glass that opens within the again with completely different heights.

We designed R3X for max efficiency, functionality — and enjoyable. Deliveries will start after R2. pic.twitter.com/L5eso84h6p

— Rivian (@Rivian) March 7, 2024

A Nicely Thought-Out Household Of Options

What was extra spectacular is that they didn’t simply plan out good autos and hope that the aftermarket may hack collectively some good tenting options. That has labored out up to now for truck and SUV manufacturers, however Rivian put extra thought into making issues simpler for corporations that come behind them and add to the expertise.

The Rivian Treehouse is our tackle the rooftop tent. The Rivian Journey Kitchen completes the proper campsite.🏕️ pic.twitter.com/HCV8lzbAHg

— Rivian (@Rivian) March 8, 2024

Not solely did they make a rooftop tent with creature comforts like a heated mattress, however they left the infrastructure there for others to probably use for different fashions of rooftop tents.

The @Rivian R2/R3 tent is heated, lit, and has a heated mattress. Guessing on the final one. pic.twitter.com/gRL4BujHUL

— Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe) March 8, 2024

Right here’s how @Rivian powers the tent. R3X pic.twitter.com/JL70Fkm47o

— Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe) March 7, 2024

So, we’re taking a look at a whole tenting and journey answer and never only a “let’s hope individuals determine it out” form of factor. That foresight ought to impress individuals and reveals that Rivian is severe about actual journey autos and never simply constructing nice EVs.

I can’t wait to see what else they launch and what the aftermarket comes up with past that!

Good Showmanship and Expertise Sale

Probably the most spectacular factor within the reveal wasn’t the merchandise as a lot because the showmanship. As an alternative of obsessing over specs and peculiar cost-cutting issues, Rivian made it clear from the start to the top that they’re promoting a ticket to journey and never simply promoting you a automobile. Because the 100 and fifty third Rule of Acquisition states, “Promote the sizzle, not the steak.” That’s to not say that there isn’t loads of steak, however persons are after experiences and never simply objects today.

In addition they made it clear that they had been severe concerning the sizzle, too. Anyone can provide you with some footage of their car out wheeling in Moab and put some comfortable numerous faces on the display screen having fun with the experience, however not all people is baking the anticipated expertise into the product not solely within the oven, however within the mixing bowl and within the recipe itself.

Sadly, I don’t see anyone else within the EV business doing that. Tesla has the Cybertruck, however the factor has been out (a minimum of in restricted numbers) for months earlier than we ever noticed video of it taking over Moab. We additionally haven’t seen anyone tenting with a customized rooftop tent with energy connections and an outdoor-focused charging community. The F-150 Lightning has been out for lots longer, and we don’t see this. And the Silverado EV? We hardly see it in any respect.

The opposite factor that was a variety of enjoyable to see was the Jobsian “yet another factor” transfer. Dropping the sudden was mainly the anticipated for some time within the tech world, however that was one thing we haven’t seen in an automotive reveal for some time. The R3 is constructed on the identical platform and thus didn’t require making a complete different car, however placing in that effort to open up that subsequent market section on the similar time made it not solely extra enjoyable, however spectacular.

We in all probability received’t see any extra Rivian product reveals for fairly a while now that the R3 is totally out of the bag, nevertheless it was value it.

All photos offered by Rivian.