Rivian has been engaged on its cheaper, smaller R2 platform for a while now, anticipated to be the “excessive quantity” counterpart to its flagship R1T and R1S. And we simply noticed our first take a look at the R2S – albeit undercover.

R2-based automobiles are anticipated to be extra accessible to consumers and allow greater quantity manufacturing, getting extra EVs on the street and serving to Rivian with its present main objective of upping its manufacturing capability. However presently, the R2 isn’t slated to launch till 2026, so we’ve bought a while to go till we see it.

We hadn’t seen something but of the car, however Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe simply revealed a small take a look at the R2S SUV, alongside chief designer Jeff Hammoud. The brief video was posted on the corporate’s Instagram story, in response to buyer questions as a part of an “Ask Rivian” phase.

Nicely, form of anyway. It’s below cowl, and it’s only a clay mannequin, however it provides us a way of the scale and form of the car nonetheless:

It’s not a lot to go on, however that is the primary we’ve seen of the upcoming mannequin, and we will get a way of some issues from what we see right here.

First, it’s smaller. Which was anticipated, however it’s good to see affirmation of. In discussion board posts in regards to the “reveal,” Rivian group members appeared shocked by simply how a lot smaller it’s, on condition that the R1T and R1S are fairly giant automobiles. However that’s what we had been advised would occur, and right here it’s.

Second, it does appear to keep up a fairly comparable form to the R1S. It’s fairly boxy, in distinction to the standard egg-shaped small SUVs widespread throughout the remainder of the phase. It does seem like the roof line tapers in from the perimeters of the automobiles, maybe moreso than on the R1S, so its entrance profile might look somewhat totally different. However we’re solely seeing one angle, so we will’t be as sure of that.

Within the background of the video, we noticed some Rivian advertising and marketing materials which appears to indicate that the R2 will preserve the R1’s hanging headlight design. This design was initially controversial on the truck’s reveal however has turn out to be a little bit of an icon for the corporate. We’ve seen a quick glimpse of the clay mannequin’s fender in a earlier Rivian video (see this text’s featured photograph for that), which additionally confirmed that the R2 headlight design is much like the R1.

It seems just like the R2 can even include a built-in moveable flashlight which stows and costs in a secret pocket within the entrance door, one other characteristic carried over from the R1.

Lastly, Scaringe additionally answered a query about “tank flip,” a prototype mode which spins the quad-motor powertrain in reverse instructions to permit a car to show in place on delicate surfaces. Rivian confirmed this off as a cool advertising and marketing stunt a couple of years in the past and had been planning to launch it to the general public.

However Scaringe stated that Rivian has apparently now determined to shelve these plans. Rivian determined that the mode could be too harmful to trails and doesn’t match with the corporate’s ethos to be higher stewards of the atmosphere. Although Scaringe didn’t say something about “entrance dig mode,” one other less complicated model of tank flip which Rivian has patented.

Electrek’s Take

The R2 platform may very well be considered the “Mannequin Y” in comparison with the R1’s “Mannequin X.” A smaller and cheaper mannequin designed for greater manufacturing numbers, in what’s presently the most well-liked car phase.

And we’ve not too long ago gotten some information about how properly that’s going, with the Mannequin Y turning into the world’s top-selling car. This isn’t to say that Rivian will obtain the identical feat – and so they’re years behind Tesla in that respect anyway – however it does present the distinction in potential volumes between these segments.

As for what we’ve seen of the R2 right now, readers might know that I’m a fan of smaller automobiles (I drive a 2,800lb, two-seat Roadster in spite of everything), so this looks as if an enchancment to me. As a lot as I really like Rivian and assume the corporate is doing a fantastic job (and we at Electrek love their automobiles), I do assume we have to flip in the direction of smaller automobiles as a society. The R2 doesn’t fairly get us there, however it’s headed in the fitting route at the very least.

So when individuals are shocked at how a lot smaller the R2 seems than the R1, properly, that’s only a bonus for me.

And whereas I perceive the egg form (it’s about effectivity, which is vital), it does get somewhat outdated generally to see virtually each SUV – and certainly, virtually each automotive, since SUV gross sales are (sadly) via the roof lately – with the very same profile. So long as Rivian can preserve the R2 from being too inefficient in comparison with competing automobiles, I’m glad it’s sticking with bolder traces to distinguish itself from principally every thing else within the phase.

What do you concentrate on what we’ve seen of the R2 right now? Tell us within the feedback.