Rivian surprises with R3 and R3X electrical SUVs

Rivian surprises with R3 and R3X electric SUVs

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Rivian took a web page from Steve Jobs and had “yet one more factor” to point out off throughout its R2 reveal occasion in California right now. And it was a stunner.

The Rivian R3 is a barely shorter, sportier-looking electrical SUV than the R2, and it’ll are available a efficiency variant badged as R3X. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe mentioned the R3 “takes the bundle of R2 platform [and] shrinks it.”

The R3 is “designed with even tighter dimensions–and at a cheaper price level–than R2,” the corporate mentioned — although it didn’t instantly launch the worth of the R3. Reservations for the R3 will begin at a later date.

The R3 and R3X have sloping rear ends in comparison with the boxier R2. And just like the R2, it is going to are available two battery sizes, each with over 300 miles of vary and 0 to 60mph acceleration of three seconds. The R3X can have “extra dynamic talents, each on and off street,” the corporate mentioned.

The R3 and R3X will launch “quickly after” the R2 “to make sure a clean launch and speedy ramp of R2,” the corporate mentioned. That is primarily based on “learnings” from the corporate’s simultaneous launch of the R1T, R1S, and EDV supply van. The automobiles may also be out there to worldwide markets after launching in North America, with no timetable but shared.

Just like the R2, the R3 and R3X will function Rivian’s new 4695 cylindrical battery cells, which is 15 mm taller than Tesla’s 4680 cells. And it’ll have a local model of Tesla’s NACS charging port constructed instantly into the automobile. DC quick charging will take the R3 from 10 to 80 p.c in about half-hour, Rivian mentioned.

The corporate can be promising a extra highly effective laptop, complimented by a sensor suite that features 11 cameras and 5 radars. The R3 can have “dramatically enhanced autonomous capabilities,” although the corporate didn’t specify what stage of automation it was capturing for.

One of many options highlighted by Scaringe in the course of the occasion was a rear gate window that lifts as much as enable for further storage, particularly of lengthy objects. (He referred to as it “flipper glass,” nevertheless it was unclear if that was a nickname or one thing extra official.) And just like the R2, the rear seats fold flat for added cargo area — which he mentioned “creates a chance for in-car tenting.”

There’s nonetheless so much that’s unknown in regards to the R3, but when the R2 is supposed to compete with the massive boys just like the Tesla Mannequin Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, then the R3 seems to be extra like a rival to the Korean EVs, just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

“That is the automobile after we stroll round within the studio each season you’re like oh, I would like that so unhealthy,” Scaringe mentioned.

Associated:

Replace March seventh 4:15PM ET: “Yet another factor” was a trademark of Steve Jobs’ Apple presentation. A earlier model of this story incorrectly attributed it to Elon Musk (who has used it a number of instances). We remorse the error.

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