Photo: Club Rivian and Roger Yin on Facebook | Edited
There's no denying that Rivian is one of America's most promising automakers. The R1S and R1T made many customers happy, and the two EVs didn't have major problems even though they were (and still are) first-generation vehicles. They were subjected to only one major recall (for an insufficiently torqued bolt). Now, it's time for Rivian to add another EV to its portfolio, and many think the R2-series has already made its unofficial debut. Here's what you need to know.
Rivian confirmed that the R2 is coming on March 7, and prospective buyers will be able to place a fully refundable deposit to reserve one of the earliest units for themselves. That announcement also contained a video that showed the R2 as an EV for everyone. It focused mostly on a suburban type of life where people are friendly or know each other well and spend time in the community instead of running out in the wild.
The video made sense. This EV most likely won't be a threat for the off-road capable R1S. The R2 should be a crossover eSUV for the many, a ride that you will charge at home or at work and use every day or even share with your family.
The footage suggested that the R2 was made for those who have responsibilities but also like to have fun, spend time with each other, and so on. All that hinted at Rivian's newest EV being a lifestyle-oriented spacious two-row crossover eSUV. Think of it like a boxy Tesla Model Y, which is the affordable version of the pricey Model X. We're basically expecting a smaller R1S.
But a few pictures that appeared shortly after the automaker's announcement made everyone think about the R2 already being out and about. These photos showed two Rivian EVs next to each other. There was a Forest Green R1S (nobody denies that) and a white EV bearing the marque's trademarked exterior design, but it looked like nothing we'd seen before.
UPDATE. A new angle of the possible R2 sighting became available on Friday. You can see it below.
Photo: New-Enthusiasm-9120 on Reddit
The story continues below.
The team was allegedly shooting a commercial or preparing new media photos. We'll see the edited pictures soon enough!
Novelties and peculiarities
This new model appeared with a new wheel design, more blacked-out trim, a charging port put on the rear passenger side of the EV, and a slightly inclined C-pillar with no emblem. Netizens quickly rushed to say that this was the hyped-up and much-awaited Rivian R2.
Sadly, we don't think that's the case. The EV spotted in downtown Los Angeles had front tow hooks (the R2S doesn't have them, not even in the patent sketches), bold daytime-running (stadium) lights that surround the main headlights, and fog lights. The R2 is expected to debut with slimmer DRLs and three LED optical sensors instead of four, as the R1T or R1S have. Besides all that, the two EVs seem too much alike to be different models. There's almost no size difference between them.
Moreover, it's important to note that Rivian is preparing to shut down its Normal, Illinois factory for a couple of weeks to upgrade the production lines. The CFO confirmed the downtime last year and said it would be necessary to bring important updates to the R1-series EVs. It's possible that what these images are showing us is the new R1S and not the smaller R2-series ride.
The charging port location, especially, is a giveaway. Rivian confirmed it would adopt Tesla's charging port, so putting it at the rear, on the passenger side, makes sense for ease of access at Superchargers.
Photo: Rivian
Similarly, this could be about the Rivian Adventure Network getting the NACS plug and the R1S being able to use it without having to visit Tesla's Superchargers. The pedestals seen in these images aren't real. They were used as props.
The startup also plans on opening its DC charging network to other brands until the end of the year, which means this could be an industry-wide announcement in the making and not just a photo session for a new upcoming model.
On top of all this, Rivian has already been caught testing camouflaged R1T and R1S in Alaska. That, again, hints at an imminent refresh, which might be what is shown in the images below and the photo gallery.
It's not over yet
Given that Rivian has given no indication that the R2 would be manufactured at the Normal factory, we also don't expect the brand to have many working prototypes on its hands. The smaller crossover eSUV is scheduled to enter production in 2026 after the Georgia plant is up and running.
Photo: Rivian
Still, we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't tell you that a couple of people who had been in that parking lot at the time of the filming said they saw an R1S with "a smaller R1S" next to it.
As far as we are concerned, the only strong indication that the model pictured below is the R2 is the rear quarter glass and the inclined D-pillar. The R1S has a straighter design in that area. But that could also be distortion because the photos were snapped from a nearby high-rise.
Unlike Mazda fans who loathe that the CX-70 is a two-row CX-90, prospective Rivian buyers ask for a mini-R1S. Their wish might come true on March 7, but it's unlikely that this preview showed us the real R2.
Whatever this was, Rivian must be enjoying how people have reacted to its plans to add a new member to the family. The R2 is expected to debut with price tag in the low $40s. It shouldn't exceed $60,000 in the top trim. Let's hope the young automaker decided to put a generous battery in the R2 eSUV that enables it to travel at least 300 miles on a full charge.
NEWS: Here’s potentially the first look at the Rivian R2 next to an R1S at a Rivian Adventure Network site. pic.twitter.com/OkiFmyTZYr
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News