Official Video: How Does it Feel to Drive a Rivian (Featuring Preorder Holders)

[Jay]

I don't recall any Explore editions judging solely by the seats. I think I saw only Launch/Adventure versions.

@DuckTruck , eagerly waiting for your calculations and input on range ?

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[Canthoney]

I don't recall any Explore editions judging solely by the seats. I think I saw only Launch/Adventure versions.

So many questions, I just don’t even know where to begin! I don’t want to overwhelm you though, enjoy your weekend!

 

[Babbuino]

I don't recall any Explore editions judging solely by the seats. I think I saw only Launch/Adventure versions.

I thought the red canyon had back mirror caps. Wasnt that one the Explorer version?

 

[DuckTruck]

Thanks DuckTruck. I hope my original post didn't come across the wrong way, I was just surprised at the radio silence directly after the event. I'm happy they chose a Forum member that is so knowledgable and enthusiastic about the product. Look forward to more details.

dixosw,

I didn't take your original post as anything but hunger for info. Now that we have the green light, I'm really enjoying all of this entusiasm and interaction. I'm looking forward to sharing more and answering questions as they pop up. This Forum is a passionate group and this years-long Adventure has been tossed some pretty wild curveballs, knucklers, balks and passed balls that couldn't be expected.

While everyone's anxious to get their Rivians, I have to believe Rivian is even more anxious to get them out. I love that they're working their tails off to get them right before rolling them out. If I remember correctly there are 6,000 parts in each of these (if any of the others from our "Cloud 10" group wants to chime in, please feel free). With all of the supply chain, labor, lockdown, and delivery disruptions, I'm surprised Rivian is as far along as they are.

For everyone here, feel free to forward any questions you might have. If I can't answer them, I'll let you know.

We are getting close..... Take that either way, folks! ?

 

[DuckTruck]

@DuckTruck , eagerly waiting for your calculations and input on range ?

Working on a sandwich while finishing erecting a backyard gazebo right now. Back to you within an hour, after we figure out what to do with all of the leftover parts. Not to worry, I'm the only one not sitting under it.?

 

[DuckTruck]

Thanks for answering the question. As I said I was probably wrong but had to ask based on the way Rivian has handled this rollout.

You should write books, you clearly have an impressive way with words.

Thank you, ShadowBan. I'd never spent a bit of time writing down my thoughts until joining this Forum in late December of last year. It's one of the few things from 2020 that gives me joy. The kind responses from people here, yourself included, only serves to heighten that peaceful feeling.

Thanks again and take care!

 

[lg3103]

@DuckTruck have you had a chance to compare the 22s, 21s and 20s during your test drives or were all the trucks on 20s? How was the road handling of those 20s and the rolli g noise? I’m driving 95% of the time on paved roads and I keep going back and forth between the 20s and 22s for my R1S LE. Really appreciate all the time you’ve put in the last two days to answer our questions and to share your experience.

 

[DuckTruck]

I thought the red canyon had back mirror caps. Wasnt that one the Explorer version?

It likely was, but I wasn't paying that close of attention to it. Canyon Red, while good looking, isn't in my color wheel. Clashes with what I still call my red hair. ?‍?>?>?‍?

FWIW, I thought that color looked the most different from Configurator to reality. Initially, I wasn't interested in the Canyon Red or Compass Yellow. Both look much different, and much better, in the natural light outdoors. Mjhirsch78 and Team Yellow should be thrilled!

 

[dleepnw]

Haha okay, this is pretty cool that we finally got to see Launch Green. And I'm super happy for Duck...

BUT...

I've been in contact with my Guide for over a month now and Launch Green has been on my shortlist of thing I've wanted to see as a preorder holder (since 2018). My Guide keeps telling me that she's trying to get a picture for me, but can't. Seeing this get shared here this way is not a great feeling to be very honest. It's also a really weird play to let the first photo of a preorder holder bonus be from... a random cell phone? This actually isn't great, even though I'm happy to see Launch Green.

In before "entitlement" critiques... Yes, I do feel like Rivian should have owned showing the color reserved for LE preorder holders rather than letting it be shared this way. It doesn't make me feel especially valued as a longterm preorder holder. While I'm hungry for information, I've also been clear to CS about what I'd want them to share. And seeing it here, this way, first is not a fantastic experience.

Agree with you CarterGee. This is not a great experience.

TBH, they have been fumbling things quite a bit on the communications/information side of things. I was looking at the configurator last night and realized its still only has 6 views/renders. Which at this point is kinda a joke. Might have been acceptable at an early launch phase but with deliveries weeks away, you'd like they would add more views and actual photos of the exterior and interior and maybe even 360 views so we don't have to rely so much on photos from someones iPhone.

 

[Mjhirsch78]

FWIW, I thought that color looked the most different from Configurator to reality. Initially, I wasn't interested in the Canyon Red or Compass Yellow. Both look much different, and much better, in the natural light outdoors. MKHirsch and Team Yellow should be thrilled!

Heck yeah! Thanks for looking out for us too. Heh. So excited to see the actual yellow. As most have already expressed, you are phenomenally entertaining, positive, and engaging in your writing. Keep up the good work, sir!

 

[DuckTruck]

@DuckTruck have you had a chance to compare the 22s, 21s and 20s during your test drives or were all the trucks on 20s? How was the road handling of those 20s and the rolli g noise? I’m driving 95% of the time on paved roads and I keep going back and forth between the 20s and 22s for my R1S LE. Really appreciate all the time you’ve put in the last two days to answer our questions and to share your experience.

Working on a sandwich while finishing erecting a backyard gazebo right now. Back to you within an hour, after we figure out what to do with all of the leftover parts. Not to worry, I'm the only one not sitting under it.?

So, let me preface with my comments by saying I think my conversation with RJ was rather informal, possibly while we were getting out of the R1T that we toured the test facility in (I think...).

Anyway, I remember him telling me (or us?) that the range was pretty consistent with what was first announced for the Launch Edition (I read that to mean ~300 miles). The caveat here is that any energy-intensive activity, like rocketing around a track at 130 MPH and then scaling Mt. Rivian before drifting freely at high speed (all with a cameraman bouncing around the back seat - sorry David!) will simultaneously reduce range and increase the strain on any Perma-Grin muscles of the inhabitants (except maybe David's)

Furthermore, I remember him telling me that as they monitor our usage and charging habits from their facilities, they can provide OTA updates to extend, or unlock the range a little bit, if doing so is merited.

My take was that they're trying to protect those batteries that may be routinely overcharged or fast-charged excessively and/or discharged routinely to a near-zero available state by not unlocking more range. If good habits by the owner merit releasing a little more range, it may happen (truly out of the clear blue sky). Since they are providing a warranty for the battery, it makes sense to mete out any range increases judiciously

I'd feel a lot better if someone with more knowledge on the subject, including a Rivian rep, would weigh in on this and either confirm or correct my recollections. I think my recall is sound, but I still think my Oregon Ducks beat Auburn in the BCS Championship Game in January of 2011....

 

[Canthoney]

So, let me preface with my comments by saying I think my conversation with RJ was rather informal, possibly while we were getting out of the R1T that we toured the test facility in (I think...).

Anyway, I remember him telling me (or us?) that the range was pretty consistent with what was first announced for the Launch Edition (I read that to mean ~300 miles). The caveat here is that any energy-intensive activity, like rocketing around a track at 130 MPH and then scaling Mt. Rivian before drifting freely at high speed (all with a cameraman bouncing around the back seat - sorry David!) will simultaneously reduce range and increase the strain on any Perma-Grin muscles of the inhabitants (except maybe David's)

Furthermore, I remember him telling me that as they monitor our usage and charging habits from their facilities, they can provide OTA updates to extend, or unlock the range a little bit, if doing so is merited.

My take was that they're trying to protect those batteries that may be routinely overcharged or fast-charged excessively and/or discharged routinely to a near-zero available state by not unlocking more range. If good habits by the owner merit releasing a little more range, it may happen (truly out of the clear blue sky). Since they are providing a warranty for the battery, it makes sense to mete out any range increases judiciously

I'd feel a lot better if someone with more knowledge on the subject, including a Rivian rep, would weigh in on this and either confirm or correct my recollections. I think my recall is sound, but I still think my Oregon Ducks beat Auburn in the BCS Championship Game in January of 2011....

What was the infotainment like? Did you get to mess with at all?

 

[Jay]

So, let me preface with my comments by saying I think my conversation with RJ was rather informal, possibly while we were getting out of the R1T that we toured the test facility in (I think...).

Anyway, I remember him telling me (or us?) that the range was pretty consistent with what was first announced for the Launch Edition (I read that to mean ~300 miles). The caveat here is that any energy-intensive activity, like rocketing around a track at 130 MPH and then scaling Mt. Rivian before drifting freely at high speed (all with a cameraman bouncing around the back seat - sorry David!) will simultaneously reduce range and increase the strain on any Perma-Grin muscles of the inhabitants (except maybe David's)

Furthermore, I remember him telling me that as they monitor our usage and charging habits from their facilities, they can provide OTA updates to extend, or unlock the range a little bit, if doing so is merited.

My take was that they're trying to protect those batteries that may be routinely overcharged or fast-charged excessively and/or discharged routinely to a near-zero available state by not unlocking more range. If good habits by the owner merit releasing a little more range, it may happen (truly out of the clear blue sky). Since they are providing a warranty for the battery, it makes sense to mete out any range increases judiciously

I'd feel a lot better if someone with more knowledge on the subject, including a Rivian rep, would weigh in on this and either confirm or correct my recollections. I think my recall is sound, but I still think my Oregon Ducks beat Auburn in the BCS Championship Game in January of 2011....

Thank you ?

 

[DuckTruck]

What was the infotainment like? Did you get to mess with at all?

Honestly, all I can say is that it sounded absolutely great! Clean, solid bass sounds from the subwoofer without the rattle and hum of many systems. No muddiness bleeding over the rest of the range. The treble notes were clear and transient. With acoustic glass all around, and little in the way of outside sound intruding into the cabin, you don't need to crank it. On the other hand, when you do crank it, it sounds fantastic! With all of the speakers around the cabin, you feel like your there.

We had the opportunity to play with UI, but as I've stated elsewhere, I focused on visiting with the team, knowing the truck will come, but opportunities like this event may never present themselves again.

Another thing is, that while I was hoping for Sirius/XM to be installed, Spotify is a great platform. I'll appreciate the chance to choose the actual artists and songs I listen to, all without having the music compressed.

RJ said as much, and after Brian asked me what I wanted to listen to on the way back to the hotel, and after saying "Tom Petty, of course" , he dialed up a Petty tune before I could sarcastically ask for "The Waiting".

Very cool days ahead!

 

[Sierrita_dweller]

My goodness! So much venom and envy. Now I know why I do not normally post on forums.

I was there. I happened to be chosen. For me it was the equivalent of winning the Power Ball. I can assure all the doubters that I am not a compensated spokesperson for Rivian. I am however, a Day One pre-order holder. But not all of us were. I know that because I asked. And the wonderful young folks that put this event together have no reason to lie.

I am sorry that everyone of you could not have been there. This was indeed a special event meant for a few.

The opportunity my daughter and I had to meet with RJ and his wife Megan was without doubt something we will never forget. The top engineering staff were shanghaied when our dinner plans were abruptly changed Wednesday night. Instead of the planned casual dinner in Normal, we were hauled out to the plant by a fleet of R1T's. Not a bad start! And a very fun surprise. Even the engineers had no idea what was up. They were just asked to be at the Delivery Center by 6:00PM.

The people that I spent most of my time with besides RJ (who took my kid and myself on our first ride in a R1T) were Charles, Mason, Rex and Joy.

Charles Sanderson is the the guy from McLaren that is, as far as I understand this, the guy that designed the R1 Platform. He brought the hydro-pneumatic suspension system to it's current iteration. It works extremely well. He also rode shotgun with me when I beat the crap out of the red R1T on and off-road! (I could only consistently hit 129 MPH on the paved track in the wet, it's governed road speed )

Charles helped me find the apex of the tiny horseshoes at the ends of the parallel dragways. Four wheel drift on exit! Only noise was tires screeching, and a bit of my personal "holy crap!"

Mason is the very young genius behind the drive-train/AC Synchronous Motor design. I spent exactly 75 minutes picking his brain before I had a question he could not answer. How do I know this? He was timing me! He had to defer to Charles. He is so fun and excited about his job. He agrees with me that in-board wet brakes should have been on the R1, but Charles nixed them.

Rex is a pro race car driver/ Rivian team member and the guy that dialed in the Rivian suspension
system. RJ asked if I would like to ride with Rex or himself, it wasn't a hard choice, even though RJ said Rex was a lot faster, I still opted for RJ for my first ride.

Joy is appropriately named. She has a permanent smile and a personality that is unsinkable! She has been with RJ for ever. You can thank her for the colors, textures, interior materials, and tactile aspects of everything Rivian. Because that has been her job since she came on board many years ago. Such talent and dedication is awe inspiring.

Keep the faith. You will get your R1. It's worth the wait.

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