Rivian Permit Filing Hints at R2S Launch Event on March 7 in Laguna Beach, California

Rivian is working hard to become the first EV maker, besides Tesla, to turn a profit from selling electric cars. The startup's efforts have been mostly appreciated, with the R1T and R1S impressing from the get-go. However, these are expensive vehicles, and Rivian needs more affordable EVs if it wants to conquer a bigger chunk of the EV market.

This role will be filled by the upcoming R2 platform, which will eventually spawn at least two new EV models. Like the R1, the new architecture will start with a pickup truck (R2T) and an SUV (R2S), the latter competing head-to-head with the current bestseller, Tesla Model Y. Rivian has been working on the R2S for the past two years already, and we should see a prototype rather soon. Based on a permit filing shared in the Rivian Forums, the launch event could be scheduled in about six weeks.

Although it doesn't mention the R2S launch, the permit says it's for a "worldwide product launch event" at the Rivian South Coast Theater on March 7. Rivian filed for a permit because it also wants to use a portion of the Main Beach Park in Laguna Beach to support the product launch, providing an opportunity for the public to participate. The permit also reveals that the launch event will start around 3:45 PM PST and last until sunset.

Rivian has recently rehabilitated the iconic South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach and reopened it as the Rivian South Coast Theater, its first flagship retail location. It's also the largest, at over 11,000 square feet (1,020 square meters). The venue will continue to screen films thanks to a partnership between Rivian and the Laguna Beach-based Coast Film Foundation.

In May 2023, Rivian's CEO RJ Scaringe revealed a clay model of the upcoming R2S SUV. Based on this, the more affordable Rivian SUV will retain the R1S's adventurous DNA and its boxy silhouette. The Rivian R2S will use LFP batteries, at least in its base version, with an 800-volt architecture to improve charging performance. A couple of months later, Rivian CFO Claire McDonough told attendees at a Deutsche Bank conference that the R2S unveiling would happen in early 2024, with deliveries scheduled for 2026.

Rivian is expected to price the R2S in the $45,000-$50,000 bracket, putting it on a collision course with the Tesla Model Y. The company also plans a compact pickup truck, likely named R2T, sharing the same architecture. Further down the line, Rivian is also talking about an R3 architecture, although we have no idea what this means. The EV startup trademarked the R3 moniker in 2022, alongside R4 and R5.