A three-row SUV with a 3 second 0-60 time?
After Rivian unveiled the R1T at the 2018 LA Auto Show, they’ve followed it up with this: the Rivian R1S three-row SUV. Like the pickup, the Rivian R1S packs up to 750 horsepower, with the base model’s price starting at $72,500.
The same “skateboard” chassis supports this SUV as the pickup truck, featuring batteries packed into the floor and all the important components for cooling, propulsion and suspension sitting below the height of the wheel, keeping the center of gravity very low.
Power for the SUV is also the same as the truck, and these numbers are staggering. The electric SUV supposedly offers up 10,325 lb-ft of torque. Maximum payload rating for the SUV clocks in a 1807 pounds while the tow rating is less than that of the truck, rated a 7716 pounds.
The base model Rivian R1S comes with a 105 kWh battery pack capable of 240 miles of range. But that’s not all, as there are also 135 kWh and 180 kWh variants. The 135 kWh version can manage 310 miles, while Rivian claims the 180 kWh unit can run over 410 miles. However, a slight caveat with the 180 kWh version – that one can only seat five.
When using fast charging, the R1S can recoup about 200 miles of range in 30 minutes.
It’s just as fast as its pickup sibling, with the most powerful version hitting 60 mph in 3 seconds. What’s more, it can hit 100 mph in under 7 seconds, according to Rivian. Both vehicles are all-wheel drive, thanks to an electric motor at each wheel.
“The beauty and elegance of our quad-motor setup isn’t just about brute power,” said Mark Vinnels, Director of Engineering. “This architecture provides instantaneous torque with extremely precise control at each wheel, which is completely game-changing from a dynamics perspective, both on- and off-road.”
While the interior is distinctive in itself, thanks to its boxy shape and slim lights, the interior also doesn’t disappoint. A 15.6-inch touchscreen dominates the center stack, while a 12.3-inch unit rests behind the steering wheel. According to Rivian, the R1S also has sensors scattered throughout the vehicle that will allow it to drive itself with up to level 3 autonomy, under certain conditions. Wood and soft-touch materials help give the Rivian R1S more of a premium feel.
A liftgate and small tailgate setup is at the back of the R1S, while the front offers a small trunk
Buying a R1S will set you back $65,000 after a federal tax credit is applied. Deliveries begin in late 2020. Fully-equipped vehicles with the highest performance level and largest battery pack will enter production first. The 180 kWh pack (400+ miles range) and 135 kWh pack will be available at launch, with the base variant (250+ miles range) to follow within 12 months of the start of production.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates! Subscribe to TFLcar and TFLnow for more news from the 2018 LA Auto Show. Check out more of Rivian’s pickup, the R1T, below:
