Looking at the exterior of the new Rivian R1S and R1T, one might assume that not much has changed. Under the skin, however, R1 has been "re-engineered" with hundreds of improvements to their hardware, performance upgrades, a completely redesigned software experience and new drive systems that are now produced in-house by Rivian. This 2nd generation also uses a new electrical architecture, and new compute and autonomy platforms. While electrical architecture and compute may not excite the average buyer on the face of it, this stuff means the new R1 will be more efficient and capable at many everyday tasks.
Rivian is also updating its variants to offer new motor configurations, design elements, trim and tire choices.
"We continue to evolve our flagship R1 vehicles, offering quality and performance without compromise. Our revamped R1S and R1T push the technical boundaries further, creating our most capable products to date,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian CEO and founder.
More Performance
The new R1 has uses a new drive unit in the tri-motor and quad-motor configurations, and these units offer more power, performance and range. The quad motor now has a heartbeat-skipping 1,025 horsepower and 1,198lb ft of torque in launch mode.
New Batteries
Rivian’s battery packs now have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging in both Large and Max batteries, with an effort to make them easier to manufacture and service. The new Max pack offers up to an estimated 420 miles of range. The Standard pack will now use a lithium iron phosphate-based chemistry with 270 miles of range.
More Efficient
Rivian has redesigned their heat pump-based thermal system, improving range and passenger comfort. New aero wheels and tires also improve drag, down to a coefficient as low as 0.297. Rivian also updated the air suspension for better on-road compliance, which they say does not reduce off-road capability.
New Tech
So what does it mean to redesign the electrical architecture? Rivian says they reduced the number of ECUs in the vehicle from 17(!) to 7, eliminating 1.6 miles(!) of wiring from every vehicle. That’s a lot of cost and weight removed!
There’s also a completely new in-house developed autonomy platform, which Rivian says offers a significant leap forward in capability. The system uses 11 cameras (higher resolution than the first generation vehicles), 5 radars, and AI prediction. The system is available as standard on all vehicles, and includes features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Highway Assist. A “premium” version of the system called “Rivian Autonomy Platform+” is available as an option and enables Lane Change on Command and a yet-to-be-released Enhanced Highway Assist.
While the exterior doesn’t look very new, look closely and you’ll see updates to the headlights and taillights, now with Adaptive Drive Beam, a system that can adapt dynamically to oncoming traffic.
New Features
The new software is enabling new features for customers, including car keys through Apple Wallet or (select) Google Pixel devices, plus a service called Connect+, a subscription that supports Google Cast streaming and access to more than 3,000 apps on the center display. Apple Music is now available as well, and Connect+ gives customers access to Apple Music’s catalog. That’ll pair nicely with a new Rivian-developed sound system with Dolby Atmos® and Apple Spatial Audio. The software UX has also been redesigned with Unreal Engine, and brings a fresh new illustration-style interface.
Elsewhere inside, a Dynamic Glass Roof can now be tinted electronically, interior lighting can be customized with many different colors.
Rivian is offering two new premium Ascend trims, as well as a new Storm Blue exterior paint, and blackout trim options.
The new R1S will start at $75,900, and the R1T will start at $69,900 before taxes and fees. The Tri-Motor R1S will start at $105,900 and R1T $99,900. These will arrive late summer, with the Quad Motor following at some point next year.
