Excitement is building up for the reveal of the new Rivian R2 electric SUV on 7 March.
The American EV start-up has provided us with our first snapshot of its latest model.
The Rivian R2 will be the smaller, more affordable sibling to the brand’s pioneering R1T pick-up truck and seven-seater R1S SUV. The electric family SUV set to take on big-sellers like the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6.
The latest teaser video for the Rivian R2 reveals that the vehicle will feature the same vertical ‘stadium headlight’ design as the bigger R1 models, connected by a very thick light bar spanning the front of the car. This suggests the R2 will essentially look like a compact version of the bold R1S, sporting the same blocky but clean and futuristic design language.
Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe previously stated there are plans to build the R2 at its plant in the US. In a recent letter to shareholders, Rivian also spoke of the new R2 platform which will underpin the new SUV.
Given that it uses a new platform, it’s unclear if the R2 will use the batteries offered in the R1S. With the expected size difference between the models, the R1’s 106kWh ‘Standard’ battery pack may be offered, but the 121kWh, 135kWh, and 180kWh ‘Standard+’, ‘Large’, and ‘Max’ units are probably too large.
Still, when you consider the heavier R1S can muster 270 km of range from the entry-level battery option, the smaller R2 should be able to offer well over 480 kilometers of range using the same power pack and a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup.