Rivian R1T and R1S on track for Oz launch

As the EV train continues to build momentum globally, one of the most anticipated next-generation utes – and its SUV sibling – from US-based electric car-maker Rivian is moving closer to an Australian launch.

While the powerful 588kW quad-motor 4x4 ute – complete with a 5000kg towing capacity – is being primed for launch in the US this month priced from $US67,500 ($A90,300), the 2022 Rivian R1T was also recently spotted in New Zealand alongside the R1S seven-seat SUV.

The vehicles were most likely undergoing late-stage cold weather development testing at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds (SHPG) on New Zealand’s South Island.

However, from the handful of photos posted to the Rivian Owners Forum, there’s one of the R1S with the door open that could indicate a right-hand drive configuration, cementing its place for export markets including Australia.

Given that Rivian has just confirmed European deliveries will start in “early 2022”, which should include right-hand drive countries such as the UK, the Australian and New Zealand markets could be next in line to get the full-sized rival for the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning pick-up.

An official Rivian email sent to European customers in recent days proclaimed: “We plan to expand sales into Europe sometime in early 2022! When we get closer to that time, we will share more details on what you can expect!”

As carsales has reported, Rivian’s chief communications officer Ken Schuman previously confirmed that both the electric pick-up and SUV should be sold in the Australian, Japanese and UK markets.

“The goal is to continue to expand; I don’t have any dates for today but we do plan to be in your market in due time,” Schuman said in late 2018.

More recently, the Rivian website confirmed that right-hand drive markets are still part of the sales plan.

The 2.6-tonne, 5.5-metre-long pick-up is claimed to accelerate from 0-97km/h in three seconds, making it faster than most high-performance Mercedes-AMG sports cars.

Three battery pack options will be offered, starting with a 135kWh unit for all launch vehicles, which is good for a range of at least 480km.

There’s also a smaller, more affordable 105kWh battery pack in the works that should deliver a 400km range, plus a massive 180kWh system that can travel for 650km before the battery is depleted.

Rivian’s EV technology is seen as hot property with both Ford ($US500m) and Amazon ($US700m) investing big in order to leverage the systems developed by the US start-up.