It’s been just a few years since Rivian began manufacturing on the R1T and R1S, its phenomenal electrical truck and SUV that boast unimaginable designs and capabilities, however are positively on the pricier facet of issues. Now the American model is increasing into extra mainstream segments with the compact R2 crossover, which debuted right this moment on the firm’s revamped South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach.
If you’ve seen an R1S, the R2 will look acquainted. It’s acquired the identical pleasant face, with smaller pill-shaped gentle housings and a thick gentle bar operating throughout the entrance that’s extra three-dimensional than on the R1 fashions. The entrance bumper is a mixture of gloss black and black plastic, with distinguished tow hooks and a skid plate component. There are refined aero pass-throughs within the plastic fender flares each forward of and behind the entrance wheel.
The R2 is 185.6 inches lengthy, 75 inches broad and 66.9 inches tall, making it in regards to the measurement of a BMW X3. Compared to an R1S, the R2 is 15.2 inches shorter in size, 6.8 inches narrower and 10.4 inches shorter in top, and the R2’s 115.6-inch wheelbase is 5.5 inches shorter. The R2 has 9.8 inches of floor clearance, and it’s accessible with 20-inch wheels and 32-inch tires. Despite its smaller proportions, the R2 nonetheless has a improbable, broad stance.
There’s a crisp shoulder line that continues from the clamshell hood’s seam, with one other crisp line increased up on the rear fender. The C-pillar is thick and vertical, and like on the R1S the rear glass is upright with a slight curve to it. Also like on the R1 fashions the R2 has a thick taillight bar, however not like the R1S, which has a break up tailgate, the R2 has an ordinary top-hinged liftgate. One of the good particulars are the rear quarter home windows, which come out like on a minivan, and rear glass that rolls down into the liftgate like on a Toyota 4Runner.
The inside can also be extra evolution than revolution, nevertheless it appears to be like actually good and has quite a lot of design and ergonomic enhancements from the R1 vans. You nonetheless get a big central touchscreen and a large gauge show, with a extra sculptural encompass and a cool use of supplies. The redesigned steering wheel has scroll wheels with dynamic haptic suggestions, and like different Rivians it is going to assist in depth over-the-air updates.
Rivian says the R2 was designed to comfortably seat passengers over 6 toes tall, and it has 40.3 inches of rear legroom and 40.5 inches of rear headroom, each almost as a lot as an R1S. The entrance can match a carry-on suitcase and a backpack or 6 reusable grocery luggage, and Rivian says the cargo space can match two checked suitcases, two carry-ons and a stroller, in addition to different objects beneath the load flooring. In addition to a giant glovebox within the regular place, there’s a second glovebox within the heart beneath the primary display, and the middle console has some intelligent storage options. The entrance seats fold ahead together with the rears to create a totally flat inside area, and there aren’t any audio system within the decrease door for extra cupboard space.
The R2 rides on a model new platform that makes use of a 4695-cell battery pack, with larger cells than R1. Single-motor (RWD), dual-motor (AWD) and tri-motor (AWD) variants shall be provided, with the top-end mannequin capable of run from 0 to 60 mph in “well under” 3 seconds. Every motor configuration will obtain greater than 300 miles of vary and may cost from 10 to 80 % in lower than half-hour, and the R2 will use the NACS cost port.
Customers can reserve an R2 beginning right this moment, with the bottom worth set at an estimated $45,000. Deliveries begin within the first half of 2026 — sooner than anticipated, with Rivian saying it is going to first enter manufacturing at its present Normal, Illinois plant as an alternative of the model’s upcoming Georgia manufacturing facility. Eventually, whole capability in Illinois will attain 215,000 models per 12 months. Rivian additionally pulled off a serious shock, debuting the even smaller and even cuter R3 and rally-inspired R3X fashions, which is able to go into manufacturing after the R2.
Source: jalopnik.com