LA MOTOR SHOW: Rivian reveals go-anywhere electric SUV too

Not content with revealing the all-electric R1T pick-up at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles yesterday, start-up US EV maker Rivian has now unveiled the R1S battery-powered SUV.

Due for public reveal at the Los Angeles motor show tonight, both electric models are scheduled for production in a former Mitsubishi factory in Illinois from 2020, and together are claimed to be the world’s first electric adventure vehicles. Alas there’s no word on right-hand drive production.

Making it as big as a LandCruiser, the R1S measures 5040mm long, 2015mm wide and 1820mm tall, and rides on a 3075mm wheelbase.

The R1T crew-cab, meantime, measures a hulking 5475mm long, 2015mm wide, 1815mm tall and rides on a 3450mm wheelbase.

Thus it will be positioned as a direct rival for top-selling full-size ladder-frame US pick-ups led by the Ford F-Series, as well as Tesla’s long-promised electric ute.

In top-spec 180kWh form, both the five-seat R1T pick-up and seven-seat R1S wagon are claimed to deliver a 400-mile (645km) range, one-metre wading depth and stellar performance via a four-motor all-wheel drive system.

The range-topping quad-motor system directs a maximum of 147kW of power and 3500Nm of torque to each wheel (and a total ‘grounded torque’ of 14,000Nm, says Rivian), enabling active torque vectoring and “maximum performance in every situation, from high-speed cornering to low-speed rock crawling”.

The company says both the top-shelf 180kWh R1T and R1S can hit 60mph (97km/h) in three seconds and 100mph in less than seven.

This is despite the ute weighing in at 2670kg kerb, with a gross vehicle mass of 3470kg. That means payload is restricted to just 800kg, but the R1T has a 5000kg tow capacity, plus a 330-litre ‘frunk’ up front and a 1400 long, 1385mm wide tray.

Ground clearance ranges between 200 and 360mm, while approach angle is listed at 34 degrees, departure angle at 30 degrees and breakover angle at 26 degrees. Maximum climbing incline is 45 degrees.

The R1S wagon is tow-rated at 3500kg, its kerb weight is 2650kg, its gross vehicle mass is 3470kg and its payload 820kg, while in off-road mode it has the same approach and departure angles as the pick-up, but a 29-degree breakover angle.

Both the ute and SUV will be offered with two lower-output battery pack options. The base 105kWh model has a claimed range of 400km, while 135kWh version is good for around 500km.

While all models are claimed to be capable of hitting 200km/h, the entry-level 105kWh variants (300kW/560Nm) are said to hit 60mph in 4.9sec, the mid-range 135kWh versions (562kW/1120Nm) do it in 3sec and the flagship 180kWh models (522kW/1120Nm) in 3.2.

The base model’s range is quoted at 250 miles (400km), the mid-spec’s at 300 miles (485km) and the ranger-topper’s at 400 miles (645km).

Rivian says its battery pack is designed for DC fast-charging at rates of up to 160kW, enabling about 200 miles (320km) of range to be added in 30 minutes. In addition, an 11kW onboard charger facilitates rapid charging at a Level 2 charger.

Both models are based around Rivian’s ‘Skateboard Platform’ , which packages the battery pack, drive units, suspension, braking and thermal system all below the height of the wheel, leaving the space above for occupants and their gear, and lowering the centre of gravity.

It’s underpinned by unequal length double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, fitted with dynamic roll control, adaptive dampers and ride-height adjustable air-suspension.

"The beauty and elegance of our quad-motor setup isn't just about brute power,” said Rivian’s Executive Director of Engineering and Programs, Mark Vinnels.

“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.”

Giving it Level 3 autonomous driving capability, features exclusive to the R1S include LIDAR, radar, high-precision GP, high-definition maps and over-the-air software updates, taking a leaf out of Tesla’s playbook.

Other equipment will include a 15.6-inch infotainment touch-screen, 12.3-inch instrument panel, 6.8-inch rear touch-screen and eight airbags.

US pre-orders are now for a $US1000 refundable deposit ahead of first deliveries in late 2020. Rivian will initially only produce the pricier 135kWh and 180kWh models, with the base model following six months later.

In North America, R1T pricing starts at $US61,500 ($A84,950) and R1S pricing starts at $US65,000 ($A89,750) – after the $US7500 US EV federal tax credit.

"We're launching Rivian with two vehicles that reimagine the pick-up and SUV segments," said Rivian founder and CEO, RJ Scaringe.

"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 store 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.

“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."