It’s been three years since Rivian wowed the world with its R1T electrical pick-up truck, and the corporate is now making step one to broaden its portfolio with the R2. It is a smaller sibling to the R1S SUV that has the preferred automobile on the earth, the Tesla Mannequin Y, immediately in its sights.

Constructed on a model new midsize platform – alongside the R3 and R3X compact SUVs – the R2 appears to be like each inch the newborn R1S, its boxy physique that includes the identical entrance and rear gentle bars, distinctive pill-shaped headlights, upright black glasshouse and body-coloured C-pillar. Measuring 4,715 mm lengthy and 1,700 mm tall, it’s 385 mm shorter and 137 mm decrease than the R1S, whereas its 2,935 mm wheelbase is 140 mm shorter.

One new function is the flexibility to pop open the rearmost aspect home windows and wind down the rear windscreen for a extra open expertise – in an analogous (however not similar) trend to the Fisker Ocean – serving to to attract air by the open aspect home windows. As per the R1S, you continue to get a sizeable entrance boot, hidden beneath the clamshell bonnet.

The R2 continues Rivian’s minimalist design language on the within, replete with an oblong dashboard design, a big centre touchscreen, generously-sized instrument show and floating centre console. Rivian has paid specific consideration to the now-oversized rotary management dials on the steering wheel, which function haptic suggestions.

To maximise practicality, the cabin options twin gloveboxes (addressing a obvious omission on the R1S), whereas shifting the audio system from the doorways has allowed the fitment of huge door bins with area for large water bottles – in addition to the attribute built-in flashlight from the R1T and R1S. All 5 seats – together with the entrance ones – could be folded flat, which not solely supplies loads of cargo room but additionally permits an inflatable mattress to suit inside, letting occupants sleep within the automobile. In-car tenting, anybody?

Beneath the pores and skin, the R2 advantages from the consolidation and elimination of elements, due to high-pressure die castings (suppose Tesla Gigapress), lowered complexity for the closure programs and the usage of the battery of a structural part. Talking of which, the battery makes use of all-new 4695 cells, that are bigger than Tesla’s 4680 cells and much like what BMW will use in its Neue Klasse EVs. Rivian guarantees greater than 300 miles (483 km) of vary with any variant.

The corporate has stored mum on the specs however confirmed that the R2 will include single-, dual- and triple-motor variations, the latter that includes two motors on the rear axle, serving to the SUV get from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in beneath three seconds. The automobile will even utilise Tesla’s North American Charging Customary (NACS) connector; you’ll be capable to cost the battery from 10 to 80% in half-hour utilizing a DC quick charger.

By way of driver assists, the R2 will include a “notion stack” utilising 11 cameras, 5 radar sensors and a extra highly effective compute platform, offering the automobile with a considerably increased stage of autonomy in comparison with the R1T and R1S. Through the reveal, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe stated customers will be capable to take their arms off the steering wheel and eyes off the street, suggesting not less than Stage 3 semi-autonomous driving.

The R2 shall be constructed on the former Mitsubishi plant in Regular, Illinois, with a beginning worth of round US$45,000 (RM211,200). Clients will be capable to place a reserving now, with deliveries beginning within the first half of 2026. Following on from its US launch, the automobile shall be bought internationally, and Rivian has already confirmed it plans to promote vehicles within the Asia Pacific area. May or not it’s coming to Malaysia as a real Mannequin Y rival?

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