It’s been three years since Rivian wowed the world with its R1T electrical pick-up truck, and the corporate is now making step one to broaden its portfolio with the R2. This can be a smaller sibling to the R1S SUV that has the preferred automotive on the earth, the Tesla Mannequin Y, straight in its sights.
Constructed on a model new midsize platform – alongside the R3 and R3X compact SUVs – the R2 seems each inch the child R1S, its boxy physique that includes the identical entrance and rear gentle bars, distinctive pill-shaped headlights, upright black glasshouse and body-coloured C-pillar. Measuring 4,715 mm lengthy and 1,700 mm tall, it’s 385 mm shorter and 137 mm decrease than the R1S, whereas its 2,935 mm wheelbase is 140 mm shorter.
One new function is the flexibility to pop open the rearmost facet home windows and wind down the rear windscreen for a extra open expertise – in an identical (however not similar) style to the Fisker Ocean – serving to to attract air by the open facet home windows. As per the R1S, you continue to get a sizeable entrance boot, hidden beneath the clamshell bonnet.
The R2 continues Rivian’s minimalist design language on the within, replete with an oblong dashboard design, a big centre touchscreen, generously-sized instrument show and floating centre console. Rivian has paid specific consideration to the now-oversized rotary management dials on the steering wheel, which function haptic suggestions.
To maximise practicality, the cabin options twin gloveboxes (addressing a obtrusive omission on the R1S), whereas transferring the audio system from the doorways has allowed the fitment of enormous door bins with area for giant water bottles – in addition to the attribute built-in flashlight from the R1T and R1S. All 5 seats – together with the entrance ones – will be folded flat, which not solely gives loads of cargo room but in addition permits an inflatable mattress to suit inside, letting occupants sleep within the automotive. In-car tenting, anybody?
Below the pores and skin, the R2 advantages from the consolidation and elimination of components, due to high-pressure die castings (suppose Tesla Gigapress), diminished complexity for the closure methods and using the battery of a structural part. Talking of which, the battery makes use of all-new 4695 cells, that are bigger than Tesla’s 4680 cells and much like what BMW will use in its Neue Klasse EVs. Rivian guarantees greater than 300 miles (483 km) of vary with any variant.
The corporate has saved mum on the specs however confirmed that the R2 will include single-, dual- and triple-motor variations, the latter that includes two motors on the rear axle, serving to the SUV get from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in underneath three seconds. The automotive can even utilise Tesla’s North American Charging Normal (NACS) connector; you’ll be capable of cost the battery from 10 to 80% in half-hour utilizing a DC quick charger.
By way of driver assists, the R2 will include a “notion stack” utilising 11 cameras, 5 radar sensors and a extra highly effective compute platform, offering the automotive with a considerably larger degree of autonomy in comparison with the R1T and R1S. Throughout the reveal, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe mentioned customers will be capable of take their palms off the steering wheel and eyes off the street, suggesting not less than Degree 3 semi-autonomous driving.
The R2 might be constructed on the former Mitsubishi plant in Regular, Illinois, with a beginning value of round US$45,000 (RM211,200). Clients will be capable of place a reserving now, with deliveries beginning within the first half of 2026. Following on from its US launch, the automotive might be offered internationally, and Rivian has already confirmed it plans to promote automobiles within the Asia Pacific area. Might it’s coming to Malaysia as a real Mannequin Y rival?
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