Smaller Rivian R2 SUV to be revealed on March 7
American EV brand’s all-new SUV to sit below R1S as rival for top-selling Tesla Model YRivian will pull the drapes off an all-new SUV rival for the Tesla Model Y dubbed the Rivian R2 on March 7, according to a leak from the venue that will host the launch event.
Earlier reports had suggested the Californian-based car-maker had been forced to push back production of its new sub-R1S SUV to 2026, but the March reveal date indicates Rivian has now fast-tracked its arrival.
Rivian’s veil of secrecy was lifted when the US city council to which it had applied for permission to display vehicles on public land inadvertently released details of the proposal, which were subsequently posted to Reddit under the title ‘Rivian R2 Launch’.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Laguna Beach city council also posted the plans detailing the display area that included five spots: three are believed to be reserved for the Rivian R2, but two are also marked ‘LG’.
LG is rumoured to be the codename for the incoming Ascent versions of the R1T pick-up and R1S large SUV, which will feature a quad-motor powertrain producing more than 1000hp (745kW).
As well as showing the R2 SUV, the EV start-up could also uncover an equivalent mid-size pick-up truck, but we should note that Rivian has not previously confirmed that it’s plotting a mid-size electric truck to rival the Ford Ranger et al – or that there are Ascent versions of the R1T and R1S on the way.
Rivian has, however, made it clear than an R2 is in the pipeline.
In May 2023, Rivian released its first teaser of the R2, posting a video to Instagram Live that featured the company’s CEO RJ Scaringe and design boss Jeff Hammond standing in front of a full-size clay model.
With short front and rear overhangs, blocky styling but a rakish windscreen, the US brand’s new entry model mimics SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco in the styling department.
Beneath the skin, the R2 is expected to feature the company’s all-new Enduro powertrain that blends a powerful single electric motor with a next-generation lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, plus new electronics.
One thing it won’t come with is the brand’s amusing Tank Turn capability that allows the quad-motor set-up of the R1 to deploy its torque in any direction on any wheel, allowing the battery-powered pick-up to rotate on a central axis.
Tank Turns have fallen out of favour within Rivian over fears the technology will be abused by users, causing damage to the trails it hopes owners of its SUVs and utes will explore.
In 2023, Rivian built 57,232 vehicles, an increase of 135 per cent compared to the previous year.
There are high expectations that Rivian will eventually push into new markets, including Australia, so the R2’s emergence could shed more light on its plans – which originally included a launch Down Under by 2024.
Related: Smaller Rivian R2 SUV teased
Related: Production of smaller Rivian R2 pushed back to 2026
Related: Rivian Australia launch at least two years away
Related: Rivian R1S and R1T EV pricing announced
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