Photo: Rivian
Rivian promised to reveal the upcoming R2S compact SUV in the first quarter of 2024, more specifically on March 7, if we take into account a recent permit filing. Another filing, this time for a headlamp patent, might offer the first glimpse at the Tesla Model Y rival.
Rivian impressed many people with its first EV models, the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV. Both have been praised for their premium features, build quality, and unique character. This was nothing short of astonishing for a startup launching its first products. Still, despite its success, Rivian needs more affordable models to expand its addressable market and turn the startup into a profitable company. It knows this very well, and that's why it started the development of a new lineup, which is now known as R2.
Rumor has it that Rivian will, at first, launch smaller copies of the current R1T and R1S. However, there are plans for an expanded portfolio down the line. We have no information regarding the potential R2T compact pickup, but Rivian has been more generous with the R2S SUV. Besides technical details revealed during various events by Rivian's executives, CEO RJ Scaringe has also teased a clay model of the SUV in a video from last year.
The same video revealed the R2S silhouette and a blurred picture on the wall that looked exactly like the R1S. Rivian never hid the fact that it aims to offer the compact vehicles the same ADN and adventure-oriented character as the R1 lineup. Still, it was hard to believe that the R2S would look exactly like a smaller R1S, with no design effort to differentiate them.
If a recent patent filing is any indication, the Rivian R2S may have a different look, although not by much. More specifically, the front headlights are smaller and rounder instead of oval in the case of R1 vehicles. The silhouette resembles the covered clay model RJ Scaringe showed in his previous video. Finally, the best indication that this is a different model than the R1S is that the rear quarters are smaller, pointing to a five-seater.
The patent filing is for a "departure lighting" system designed to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle in specific situations when the headlights don't provide much help. One such situation can occur when off-roading down a steep incline, and the headlights would not illuminate past the bottom of the incline. In this case, a light spot integrated into the roof rails offers help by illuminating further ahead. This could operate automatically based on the vehicle's incline.
As for the R2S compact SUV, Rivian will likely unveil it during a dedicated event on March 7 in Laguna Beach, California. The production would not start until 2026, when the new Rivian factory in Georgia becomes operational. Rivian aims to mass-produce the R2S, and the price of under $50,000 would make it a fierce rival to the Tesla Model Y. The price alone would not be enough to compete against the world's best-selling vehicle, though, so we're curious what Rivian has up its sleeves.
Rumor has it that Rivian will, at first, launch smaller copies of the current R1T and R1S. However, there are plans for an expanded portfolio down the line. We have no information regarding the potential R2T compact pickup, but Rivian has been more generous with the R2S SUV. Besides technical details revealed during various events by Rivian's executives, CEO RJ Scaringe has also teased a clay model of the SUV in a video from last year.
The same video revealed the R2S silhouette and a blurred picture on the wall that looked exactly like the R1S. Rivian never hid the fact that it aims to offer the compact vehicles the same ADN and adventure-oriented character as the R1 lineup. Still, it was hard to believe that the R2S would look exactly like a smaller R1S, with no design effort to differentiate them.
If a recent patent filing is any indication, the Rivian R2S may have a different look, although not by much. More specifically, the front headlights are smaller and rounder instead of oval in the case of R1 vehicles. The silhouette resembles the covered clay model RJ Scaringe showed in his previous video. Finally, the best indication that this is a different model than the R1S is that the rear quarters are smaller, pointing to a five-seater.
The patent filing is for a "departure lighting" system designed to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle in specific situations when the headlights don't provide much help. One such situation can occur when off-roading down a steep incline, and the headlights would not illuminate past the bottom of the incline. In this case, a light spot integrated into the roof rails offers help by illuminating further ahead. This could operate automatically based on the vehicle's incline.
As for the R2S compact SUV, Rivian will likely unveil it during a dedicated event on March 7 in Laguna Beach, California. The production would not start until 2026, when the new Rivian factory in Georgia becomes operational. Rivian aims to mass-produce the R2S, and the price of under $50,000 would make it a fierce rival to the Tesla Model Y. The price alone would not be enough to compete against the world's best-selling vehicle, though, so we're curious what Rivian has up its sleeves.
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