The Rivian R2 would be the startup automaker’s second all-electric mannequin, which, with its extra compact dimension and price ticket, is hoped will increase the model’s attain and propel it in the direction of profitability.
The corporate took its social media accounts, together with Threads, this week to announce it should reveal the R2 on March 7, US time. Deliveries of the R2 aren’t anticipated till 2026, although.
Sadly we don’t know a lot in regards to the R2 at this stage, besides that it will likely be a smaller SUV, and can probably be pitched towards the Tesla Model Y.
Pricing for the Mannequin Y within the US begins from US$43,990 ($67,800) for the bottom rear-wheel drive mannequin, and the vary is eligible for a US$7500 ($11,600) federal tax credit score and probably different state incentives.
Assuming the R2 is priced to compete with the Mannequin Y, it will likely be far more inexpensive than the R1S, which begins at US$78,000 earlier than taxes for the dual-motor all-wheel drive mannequin with the usual battery pack.
Measuring 5100mm lengthy and using on 3076mm wheelbase, the three-row R1S is about 250mm shorter total than a Chevrolet Tahoe.
Rivian has but to verify sizing, however it’s in all probability secure to imagine the R2’s footprint might be corresponding to the Mannequin Y, which is 4751mm lengthy on a 2891mm wheelbase.
The brand new R2 will probably have a boxy physique modelled on the bigger R1S, which ought to make it extra sensible and capacious than the crossover coupe-esque Mannequin Y.
Reviews point out the R2 might be constructed on a new platform that will be less complex and cheaper to the produce. It’s unknown if the R2 could have a monocoque construction, or a body-on-frame setup just like the R1S and R1T.
Whereas the bigger R1S SUV, and R1T ute are in-built Regular, Illinois at a manufacturing unit that used to churn out Mitsubishi and Chrysler vehicles, the R2 might be produced in a brand new manufacturing unit outdoors of Atlanta, Georgia.
In the course of 2023, Rivian confirmed it, like Ford, GM and most different EV producers, would undertake the Tesla-developed NACS plug. This implies it’s attainable the R2 will come out of the manufacturing unit gate with a NACS port, and native entry to each Tesla’s Supercharger community.
The brand new R2 can even be capable of cost via Rivian’s personal Journey Community charging stations, in addition to third social gathering networks through an adapter.
Final yr Rivian offered 47,203 automobiles within the US, a rise of 244.6 per cent over 2022 when it moved 13,699 items.
Of those, 23,437 had been R1S SUVs (up from simply 800 in 2022), and 19,410 had been R1T pickup vehicles (up from 9900). The rest (4356) had been EDV supply vans primarily destined for main shareholder Amazon (up from 2999).