The highly stylish Rivian R1S that debuted alongside the R1T truck is a very compelling and capable electric SUV.
Finally,
there's an electric offering in the pipeline that slots into the real
7-seat on- and off-road capable SUV category and it comes to us in the
form of the Rivian R1S. Okay, so maybe it's not quite on the market just yet, but it seems Rivian may well be the first to launch both an electric pickup truck and a fully off-road capable electric SUV (the Tesla Model X is more of an on-roader than an off-roader).
After debuting its electric pickup truck, the R1T, Rivian,
just a day later at the 2018 LA Auto Show, unleashed this equally
impressive battery-powered SUV to the world. Now, as we near a year
after the debut, we decided it's time to reveal everything we know in
regard to this electric SUV.
Seating
Offered in 5- or 7-passenger configurations, the R1S
can be equipped either as a family hauler or more of a cargo carrier.
The flexibility to order it with either five or seven seats will really
open up the demand for the R1S.
Battery Pack Sizes
Like its R1T truck sibling, the R1S SUV comes with three battery pack choices:
- 105 kWh
- 135 kWh
- 180 kWh
Range
Electric range is even more impressive than the R1T truck. The biggest pack offers 410-plus miles of range, while even the smallest pack is supposedly capable of delivering over 240 miles of electric driving bliss. This sort of range makes the Model X seem a bit in need of some increased battery capacity.Performance
Top speed for all versions is listed at 125 MPH and 0 to 60 MPH varies depending on pack size and motor output. The quickest R1S hits 60 MPH in just 3.2 seconds, while the slowest is still no slouch at 4.9 seconds.Towing, Payload And Off-Road Ability
As you'll see in the specs below, the R1S can haul a rather hefty load and can tow too. It also is set up for off-roading in that its entry and departure angles, as well as ground clearance,and water fording depth are more than adequate for the rought stuff.Production And Market Launch
The R1T truck comes to the market first, sometime in 2020, followed by the R1S in 2021. The timeframe is a bit open-ended right now for Rivian offerings, but we can assure you the products are the real deal and production sites are secured.Closing
Following the R1T truck and R1S SUV, Rivian says several other offerings are already in the development stage.
Keep an eye on this Rivian space. It's the one to watch now.
***Additional R1S details in the press release below
RIVIAN LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC ADVENTURE VEHICLESTM
Rivian,
an electric vehicle manufacturer, unveiled the first of the world’s
first two Electric Adventure Vehicles™ — the all-electric pickup R1TTM which is to be followed by an all-electric SUV - R1STM— during the week of the 2018 LA Auto Show.
The
R1T™, a 5-passenger pickup truck, debuted at an event at the Griffith
Observatory in Los Angeles on Nov. 26. With class-leading
specifications, sophisticated exterior and interior design, and a wide
range of features developed to invite all of life’s adventures, Rivian
vehicles have been designed to help customers get out and explore the
world.
“We’re launching
Rivian with two vehicles that reimagine the pickup and SUV segments,”
said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “I started Rivian to deliver
products that the world didn’t already have – to redefine expectations
through the application of technology and innovation. Starting with a
clean sheet, we have spent years developing the technology to deliver
the ideal vehicle for active customers. This means having great driving
dynamics on any surface on- or off-road, providing cargo solutions to
easily storing any type of gear whether it’s a surf board or a fishing
rod and, very importantly, being capable of driving long distances on a
single charge. From the inside out, Rivian has developed its vehicles
with adventurers at the core of every design and engineering decision.
The R1T and R1S are the result of all this work and we are excited to
finally introduce these products to the world.”
Skateboard Platform
The
foundation of the R1T and R1S is Rivian's skateboard platform, which
efficiently packages the battery pack, drive units, suspension, braking
and thermal system all below the height of the wheel, providing the
packaging space above for occupants and their gear.
Beyond
the packaging benefits, this architecture delivers a low center of
gravity that supports the vehicle’s agility and stability. Adding to
these inertial advantages is a sophisticated suspension architecture
with unequal length double wishbone suspension in the front and a
multi-link suspension in the rear. The suspension features dynamic roll
control and adaptive dampers along with ride-height adjustable
air-suspension – allowing the suspension to be adjusted for any
condition whether its highway comfort, on-road performance or off-road
capability.
Rivian’s
quad-motor system delivers 147kW and precise torque control to each
wheel, enabling active torque vectoring and maximum performance in every
situation, from high-speed cornering to low-speed rock crawling. With
3,500 Nm of grounded torque per wheel (14,000 Nm of torque for the full
vehicle), the R1T and R1S can both reach 60 mph in 3 seconds and 100 mph
in less than 7 seconds. This powertrain and chassis also enables the
R1T’s tow rating of 11,000 pounds.
“The
beauty and elegance of our quad-motor setup isn’t just about brute
power, this architecture provides instantaneous torque with extremely
precise control at each wheel, which is completely game-changing from a
dynamics perspective both on- and off-road,” said Executive Director of
Engineering and Programs Mark Vinnels.
Design
The
R1Tand R1S have been designed to communicate strength and refinement
while still inviting customers to get them dirty. Strong proportions and
clean, continuous bodylines help the vehicles achieve a modern,
inviting stance, while acknowledging the performance and level of
technology integrated into the vehicle.
The
main bodyline of the R1T, which wraps up and around the cab, not only
gives the car a distinctive silhouette, but also highlights the Gear
Tunnel™ cutline and accentuates the rear fender flares. The R1T features
short overhangs, high ground clearance and aggressive approach and
departure angles for a confident and rugged stance, all enabled by
Rivian’s unique skateboard platform. A Rivian will be quickly
recognized, with its iconic, signature “stadium” headlights and a
daytime running light that extends the entire width of the vehicle.
Interior
Much
like the exterior, Rivian’s interior welcomes occupants into a premium
environment that conveys craftsmanship yet invites rugged, daily use.
Color and materials play an important role in differentiating Rivian
vehicles. Sustainably sourced wood is used throughout the interior and
its natural finish contributes to a warm and inviting feel. The most
striking use of wood is as a structural element that integrates the main
center display and driver cluster, integrating form and function
beautifully. In the high-wear areas of the interior, the materials take
inspiration from sportswear and active gear, combining durable and
innovative materials that can easily be cleaned.
“Although
the exterior of the vehicle is what first attracts you, the interior is
where you spend the most of your time, so we really focused on creating
a transformational space inside our vehicles,” said VP of Vehicle
Design Jeff Hammoud. “The biggest challenge was creating an interior
design that delivered a premium experience, while still being
comfortable as a space that is heavily used. To do this, we looked
outside the automotive industry and took inspiration from contemporary
furniture, as well as hiking and outdoor gear, to drive the design.”
Utility
The
R1T leverages the vehicle architecture to deliver more lockable storage
than any other vehicle in its class. The 330-liter front trunk is
easily accessed for daily use with the hood being fully powered for
opening and closing.
The
R1T’s lockable Gear Tunnel aft of the cab, which extends from one side
of the vehicle to the other, provides more than 350 liters of space for
hauling gear of any size, whether it be snowboards, golf bags or
strollers. The gear tunnel doors also act as steps for loading items
into the bed or on the roof, as well as seats perfect for lacing up
hiking boots. The R1T has a watertight, integrated tonneau cover for the
bed and in the rear beneath the bed floor is a 200-liter sealed bin
that can also be used to store a full-size spare tire. The bed features
three 110-volt outlets with more 400 watts available at each.
As part of a Gear GuardTM
feature, the bed also has two integrated locking cables to safely
secure bicycle frames and other gear to the bed. As part of this
feature, any gear stored in the bed is also monitored by a bed camera
and alerts owners should the bed be entered or items removed.
Rivian
has developed a racking system that utilizes telescoping racks with
easy-to-use mounts that quickly attach to the roof as well as the bed
rails and bed floor of the R1T. The racks have been developed to be
integrated with a range of accessories including tents, travel
containers and bike/ski racks. When not in use, racks can easily be
stored in the front trunk of both vehicles.
Battery
Rivian’s energy-dense battery module and pack were developed with the most demanding journeys in mind — incorporating tough underbody protection and an advanced cooling system to give occupants the confidence to go further, regardless of terrain or temperature. Adaptive control algorithms learn driver behavior, optimizing user-specific battery management for maximizing battery life, reliability and second-life reusability. Three battery sizes are planned with the 180 kWh and 135 kWh available at launch and a 105 kWh being made available within six months of launch.
Connectivity and Digital Experience
Rivian has developed its connected car platform from a clean sheet to allow full control and flexibility over the vehicle hardware, software and user experience. The system operates on a high-speed Ethernet backbone that enables robust security. This platform supports granular over-the-air updates of vehicle software to add features and functions and improve performance. All Rivian vehicles connect to a cloud-ecosystem for data exchange and processing, enabling machine learning and data science services. The digital experience extends beyond the vehicle into the cloud ecosystem and mobile/web applications and provides a consistent and seamless interface for vehicle status and control. Maps, music, navigation and several on-brand features complete the digital experience. The digital user interface strongly reflects adventure, outdoors and exploration – the experience is immersive and natural whether it’s being used in a connected urban setting or well off the beaten path.Self-Driving
The R1T will launch with a robust hardware suite with multiple modalities including camera, lidar, radar, ultrasonic and a high precision GPS coupled with high definition maps. This hardware enables “Level 3” (hands-off wheel and eyes off road) autonomy for highway operation. Beyond the highway Level 3, the vehicle will have a range of self-driving features focused on enabling active lifestyles.
