While we're still waiting for the Tesla Pickup to arrive, US-startup Rivian, which was founded nearly a decade ago, has unveiled an electric pickup truck that sets a very high bar for Tesla to beat. It's called the R1T, and the claimed specifications speak are absolutely mind-blowing.
Dubbed as an "Electric Adventure Vehicle," Rivian claims the R1T has an electric range of up to 400+ miles, while the performance enters supercar territory. Power is provided by four 197-hp electric motors for each wheel to produce a combined output of 754 hp and 826 lb-ft of torque. With this setup, 0-62 mph takes in just three seconds, while 100 mph takes less than seven seconds.
At launch, the R1T will be available with a 135kWh battery pack delivering a driving range of 300 miles. A 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. Conveniently, 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 is currently on display at the LA Auto Show, and the unique, futuristic styling certainly helps it stand out from the crowd. It looks like it belongs in a science fiction movie. At the front, a full-width bar serves as the daytime running light, while oval "stadium lights" house the LED headlights. Since it's fully electric, there's no need for a traditional grille. Another full-width LED light bar can be found at the back along with a traditional truck bed.
Skid plates are also attached front and rear, reflecting the R1T's off-road capability made possible by Rivian's skateboard platform. Prices start at $61,500 after Federal Tax credit, with first deliveries arriving in late 2020.
The R1T wasn't the only electric vehicle Rivian revealed at the show, however. Debuting alongside the pickup was its SUV sibling, the R1S. It has the same impressive supercar-rivalling specifications, but the towing capacity is down from 11,000 pounds to 7,700 pounds. It is, however, 44 pounds lighter than the truck while still retaining the same 14.4 inches of ground clearance and water fording depth of 29.4 inches. Prices for the Rivian R1S start at $72,500, with customer deliveries starting around the same time as the truck.