Rivian unveils specifics about its R2 engineering design
Rivian, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, is set to enter the mid-size EV market with its upcoming compact electric SUV, the R2. The R2 aims to offer a more affordable price point than Rivian's current R1T and R1S models, making electric mobility more accessible to a broader customer base [1].
To achieve this, Rivian plans to scale its production with the R2, leveraging its in-house technology stack that includes infotainment, driver assistance, and autonomy modules [2]. The company has built its own test bank to accelerate the journey from design to production, ensuring that the R2 meets the highest standards of quality and performance [3].
Early-stage test mules are crucial in validating the hardware and software components of the R2. Mule 3.2, a pre-production engineering vehicle, is currently being used to test and validate electrical systems and wire harnesses [4]. The R2's design prioritises both visual appeal and manufacturing efficiency [5].
One of the key innovations in the R2 is the Maximus motor, a new electric motor engineered specifically for the R2 platform. Rivian has demonstrated extensive testing of the Maximus units across extreme temperature conditions, and the motor features a continuous winding process that improves both performance and manufacturing efficiency [6].
The R2 will also be the first Rivian model to be produced at the company's upcoming Georgia plant, in addition to its factory in Normal, Illinois [7]. In terms of interior design, the R2 will offer two dashboard variants: an all-black dashboard and a dual-tone grey-and-white scheme, with the latter expected to be a paid upgrade, similar to Tesla's white interior option for the Model Y [1][8].
Rivian's focus on manufacturing efficiency is expected to be key in achieving its goal of scaling production and broadening its customer base. Furthermore, the company's ability to implement new features faster and deliver regular improvements via over-the-air (OTA) updates will allow it to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving EV market [9].
[1] https://www.motortrend.com/news/rivian-r2-suv-dual-tone-interior-cost-more-than-black/ [2] https://www.rivian.com/news/rivian-announces-plans-for-second-generation-r1-models [3] https://www.rivian.com/news/rivian-unveils-r2-compact-electric-suv [4] https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/11/rivian-r2-suv-production-2026/ [5] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36754861/rivian-r2-compact-suv-production-2026/ [6] https://www.rivian.com/news/rivian-unveils-r2-compact-electric-suv [7] https://www.rivian.com/news/rivian-unveils-r2-compact-electric-suv [8] https://www.motortrend.com/news/rivian-r2-suv-dual-tone-interior-cost-more-than-black/ [9] https://www.rivian.com/news/rivian-unveils-r2-compact-electric-suv
- Rivian, a player in the automotive industry, will enter the mid-size electric vehicle (EV) market with the R2, aiming to make electric mobility more accessible through a lower price point compared to their current models.
- To achieve this, the company plans to scale production using its in-house technology, which includes infotainment, driver assistance, and autonomy modules, and a test bank to speed up the design-to-production journey.
- The R2's design prioritizes both visual appeal and manufacturing efficiency, and the upcoming Georgia plant will also contribute to its production, in addition to the factory in Normal, Illinois.
- A key innovation in the R2 is the Maximus motor, an electric motor engineered specifically for the R2 platform, which Rivian has tested extensively under extreme temperature conditions for improved performance and manufacturing efficiency.
