After nearly a decade since the company was founded, Rivian Automotive is finally ready to lift the wraps off its new Tesla-rivalling electric pickup truck. Making its debut at the LA Auto Show, the Rivian R1T arrives some very impressive specifications. Dubbed as an "Electric Adventure Vehicle," Rivian claims the R1T has an electric range of up to 400+ miles. As well as the R1T, Rivian is also showcasing a fully electric SUV called the R1S at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.
"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," said company founder and CEO, Rj Scaringe.
"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."
Power is provided by four 197-hp electric motors for each wheel to produce a combined output of 754 hp and with 826 lb-ft of torque. 0-62 mph is reached in just three seconds, while 100 mph takes less than seven seconds, so it can certainly outpace many modern supercars. Impressive, for a pickup that weighs 2.6 tonnes and is capable of towing 11,000 lbs. "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," Executive Director of Engineering and Programs Mark Vinnels explained.
The launch model includes a 135kWh battery pack delivering a driving range of 300 miles. Upgrading to 180kWh battery increases the range to 400 miles, while a lighter, short-range model with a 105kWh battery pack will arrive around a year later. 200 miles of range can also be achieved after just 30 minutes of charging thanks to the battery's fast charging function. The Rivian R1T also features double wishbones at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear, as well as dynamic roll control, adaptive dampers and ride-adjustable air suspension. The battery pack, drive units, suspension, braking and thermal system all packaged below the height of the wheel, leaving the space above for occupants and their gear.
Inside the spacious cabin with room for up to five, there's a 15.6-inch touch screen infotainment display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 6.8-inch rear touchscreen display. The electric pickup will also have Level 3 autonomy for highway operation and a range of self-driving features for city and off-road driving. Prices start at $61,500 after Federal Tax credit, with first deliveries arriving in late 2020.