Rivian R1T 2022: the Tesla for adventurers?

Now that ties with Ford in connection with the development of electric vehicles are severed, Rivian is standing on his own feet. And it seems to be paying off since the stock market value recently exceeded the $ 100 billion mark. Like what investors dream of a multiplication of companies targeting the electric car, always guided by the soaring Tesla.

So who is Rivian? In short, it is a company founded in Florida by a young entrepreneur named Robert Scaringe, now 38 years old. Now based in Irvine, California and with an assembly plant in Illinois, Rivian is starting the distribution of its products this year. Plans are also being made to set up an ambitious network of charging stations, which would be found not only in urban areas, but also around national parks and ski resorts. A network that would include more than 10,000 stations across North America by the end of 2023.

We can obviously wonder about the relevance of following in the footsteps of Tesla who is already thinking of making his terminals available to any electric motorist. However, the first contact with the strategists of the company was not going to allow me to deepen the subject. In fact, during the 40 minutes I was given to test the R1T pickup truck, I was going to have to get to know the product, discover its features, discuss with the representatives of the brand as well as stop for a moment, just to shoot some pictures of the vehicle. A first contact which was therefore rapid, although very conclusive.

Intermediate

Know first that the Rivian R1T is not a Ford F-150. Its dimensions are comparable to those of a Chevrolet Colorado or a Toyota Tacoma, offering a single body length (54 inches). This van therefore has nothing bulky. Ditto for the R1S SUV, which will be directly derived from it, and which will undoubtedly appear as a 2023 model on our market.

Obviously, its sympathetic and very original look catches the attention. With this unique front where two vertical LED headlights are grafted, but also with this happy blend of “muscle” and refinement that cannot be found anywhere else. And then there is this 330 liter storage tunnel, frankly well thought out and accessible via leaves housed on each side, in front of the rear wheel axle, on which it is also possible to climb for easier access to the box. Add to this a front trunk with a volume of over 300 liters and a modular body for a total cargo volume of 1,755 liters, excluding the use of the cabin.

Sober and sleek, the R1T’s cabin features exceptional finish and a presentation that is both rich and ultramodern. Unsurprisingly, there are two large screens, the one in the center being tactile while the other acts as instrumentation for the driver. Like Tesla, the controls on the steering wheel are used to adjust the mirrors and use the digital screen on which the energy use is extremely well illustrated.

Versatile, the cabin can comfortably accommodate five adults, just like a traditional pickup truck. In the box, you can load things up to 1,760 lbs, which is equivalent to a full-size pickup truck. It must be said that despite its smaller size, the R1T has nothing to envy to the usual large models. And for good reason, a towing capacity of up to 11,000 lbs (4,989 kg) will undoubtedly have a considerable impact on the range announced at 500 kilometers.

Autonomy is not a problem

Indeed, with a large 135 kWh battery, the R1T has a range of 500 kilometers, for an estimated consumption of 27 kWh / 100 km. Obviously, from the point of view that you are not using all the power available, which is 800 horsepower. This also allows the vehicle to go from 0 to 100 km / h in just three seconds, unheard of with a production van. And believe me, the acceleration performance of this vehicle is impressive.

In fact, the R1T is able to beat a Porsche 911 or a Challenger Hellcat on a drag strip, and the exercise is done with great ease, without even feeling like you’re fighting a battle against the laws of. physics. It must be said that this vehicle is also equipped with a particularly effective suspension. The latter is independent to the four wheels and pneumatic, allowing a height adjustment of up to six inches. An element that probably explains why Rivian boasts of being able to throw his vehicle into a pool of three feet of water, although the exercise is unnecessary.

So here you have a pickup truck with a thousand talents, fun to drive and that you can configure according to your wishes since there are eight driving modes, including the essential Sport and Autonomy, but also a Towing mode. Then, no less than five off-road driving modes, to deal with all conditions.

On sometimes degraded roads, the Rivian van proved two things to me. First, that the suspension was extremely well suited, and second that the build quality was not without a task. Indeed, the many creaks and noises of the body dispel the impression of great refinement that one expects from a vehicle whose entry price is located at $ 90,000. An invoice that will be increased to $ 97,250 if you opt for the Adventure model, which notably offers a better finish, ventilated seats, a Meridian audio system and a motorized tonneau cover. Then, for more range, you could also opt for a 180 kWh battery, allowing you to cover 640 kilometers on a single charge. All, alas, for an additional $ 14,000.

To be continued…

If it weren’t for this nondescript build quality that doesn’t look very good, this pickup has it all. Whether it is its driving, its performance, its range and its look, including the layout of the cabin, which several manufacturers should be inspired by. I would like to get my hands on one of these models, this time at home, under our conditions, to see if we deliver the goods efficiently. And then, no doubt that at this time, I will be lent something other than a pre-production model, on which the tightening of a few bolts was perhaps necessary …

In video: Antoine Joubert presents the Rivian R1T