Rivian desires to shake up the industry with its next-generation R2 electric vehicle. Starting at around $45,000, the R2 is anticipated to open up a recent market of buyers. How does Rivian plan to maintain its rugged luxury feel at a lower price? The company’s design boss explains.
Rivian R2 design challenges present unique opportunity
In lower than 24 hours after revealing the smaller, cheaper R2, Rivian’s CEO RJ Scaringe said the brand new electric SUV earned over 68,000 reservations.
Rivian unveiled the R2 last month, with starting prices around $45,000. That’s almost half the present $74,900 R1S and $69,900 R1T starting price.
At 4,715 mm long, 1,700 mm tall, with a wheelbase of two,935, the R2 is undoubtedly smaller than the present R1S ( 5,100 mm x L, 1,873 mm x H, 3,075 x wheelbase). Despite its smaller size and lower price, Rivian insists the R2 will keep the brand’s essence.
According to Rivian’s design chief, Jeff Hammoud, the R2’s lower price point was one in every of the most important challenges.
With R1, Rivian was in a position to include the cool features and design because “we weren’t that restricted on price point,” Hammoud said. At least, not as much as with R2.
Speaking with Design Milk, the corporate’s design boss said Rivian wants R2 to achieve many more customers. But how do you try this without the automobile feeling low cost or diluted?
Keeping the brand essence of the Rivian brand
Rivian made a “conscious decision to make it feel like a smaller R1S,” in keeping with Hammoud. To keep the brand essence, Hammoud said the corporate picked the important thing design elements to make sure R2 is recognizable.
One of the features Hammoud is most enthusiastic about is the R2’s recent steering wheel design. With advanced roller wheels on each side of the wheel, you may rotate them up or down, push them in and out, or move them side to side (like Tesla).
The controls differ significantly depending on the mode you might be in. For example, it’s going to have a slight click if you rotate it for volume. In the menu, you may feel larger “chunks” of knowledge.
Hammoud says the brand new design lets drivers feel what’s happening without taking their eyes off the wheel.
Not only does the R2 have its own unique design, however it also includes an abundance of fun accessories like a revamped camp kitchen, tent, and bike rack to upgrade any adventure.
Meanwhile, with the R3, a fair smaller and cheaper EV, Rivian “showed how we can stretch the brand in a very different direction.” The R3 will feature a high-performance R3X variant harking back to an iconic rally automobile.
Rivian plans to begin R2 production in the primary half of 2026 at its Normal, IL plant. New upgrades will enable Rivian to accumulate to 215,000 vehicles annually, up from 150,000 previously, while slashing costs.
Credit : electrek.co
