Image Credit: Captain Electro.
I love electricity. I do really. Can't make a toast without it, it's perfect for powering my wife's hair dryer, and giving my annoying neighbor a gentle surprise from the fence. But I mainly appreciate it because it makes heavy SUVs move like a scalded cat on a hot tin roof. So, you can imagine my excitement when Rivian finally pulled the silk off the new R2. I was ready to celebrate with a cold pint, but then, I looked at the spec sheet.
Rivian promised us a tri-motor monster. A machine so fast it would make our eyeballs swap places. Unfortunately, during the big reveal, that third motor was missing in action. We got plenty of information on the dual-motor version, which, to be fair, has more oomph than any sane human needs for a trip to the shops. But where is the three-motored beast that was supposed to embarrass supercars?
Image Credit: Rivian.
I asked around, and a Rivian spokesperson, Mikhael Farah, gave a response that was about as clear as a foggy morning. He told the press, "This is just the beginning for R2, so much more to come," and then he actually sent a winky face emoji. A winky face! Usually, when someone winks at me, I check if I've got spinach in my teeth or if I'm about to be sold a very expensive bridge. In this case, it's a sign of some serious shenanigans.
It turns out the secret lair for this missing motor is likely the "Rivian Adventure Department," or RAD. I love a good acronym, but RAD sounds like something a teenager would shout while falling off a skateboard in 1994. In reality, it's Rivian's new skunkworks division. It's like the "M" division at BMW or the "AMG" folks at Mercedes, but with more recycled plastic and a better sense of outdoor fashion.
Image Credit: Rivian.
If you look at the new R2 lineup, the names are a bit of a muddle. Instead of telling us how many motors are under the floorboards, Rivian is using names like Standard, Premium, and Performance. It's all very mysterious and a bit daft if you ask me. Why hide the hardware? Have you ever gone to a steakhouse and ordered the "Level 3 Culinary Experience" instead of just saying you want a big piece of beef? No, you have not, and neither have I.
Rumors point to the R1 lineup getting a bit of a reshuffle as well. The 2027 model year Dual-motor R1s will be called the "Standard," and the Tri-motors will be the "Performance" versions. The Quad-motor flagship? That beast will become the crown jewel of the new RAD division. This leaves a perfect, cozy little spot for the R2 RAD to show up with three motors and enough power to restart a dead planet.
Image Credit: Rivian.
Two years ago, the big bosses at Rivian said a tri-motor R2 would scream from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds. For a family SUV, that is absolutely mental. That's faster than I can realize I've forgotten my wallet at the gas station. It's the kind of speed that makes your passengers stop talking and start praying to whatever deity they think might save their lunch from reappearing on the dashboard.
Some skeptics say a quad-motor R2 was never on the cards. And they're probably right. I've seen a lot of strange things in my time, but a quad-motor small SUV might be a step too far even for the wizards in Illinois. However, the R2 RAD with its triple-threat motor setup is almost certainly lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.
Image Credit: Rivian.
It appears the R2 we saw on stage is just the appetizer. The main course is still in the kitchen, and it's being seasoned with a decent sprinkle of RAD insanity. It'll be a bit of a wait, and the pricing will make your bank manager do a double-take, but if it really does hit that 3-second mark, it'll be worth every penny of your hard-earned moolah.
Image Credit: Rivian.
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