Out of Spec seemingly confirms R1 refresh in about a month

[srkz]

To everyone suggesting 2 years is too fast to do a refresh - go ahead and look at how long it took Tesla to do their first minor refresh on the Model 3, where they blacked out the chrome and added a power trunk lid among a handful of other tweaks…

(Spoilers: 2 years)

Sponsored

 

[brancky3]

Rivian has stated that there are changes to the vehicle to support cost improvement. I don't know what you would call that other than a refresh. Specifically they said they are reducing the processor count and include wiring harness changes. To me, that means at a very minimum, the processor is getting upgraded. They also said battery improvements, though I guess it could be argued that how they worded it could not actually affect the battery design, I think that's naive. Further, their filing of updated VIN information confirms a new tri-motor is in the books.

I don't think there is anyway you can say that there isn't a refresh coming, the question is only how visible the refresh will be to the customer. From a technical perspective, it's probably mostly updating the electronics to remove hard to get out of date chips, probably including faster processors. They are probably finally dropping Bosch motors, as they said they would. I personally thinking the pack changes will improve charging speed. They are probably throwing in some customer facing demand, because you can't just leave everything old. They are being very cautious to avoid telling us what changes you'll notice to avoid hurting current sales.

There’s also nothing saying a refresh will be “better”. From 2022 until now new vehicles have worse sound, less outlets, etc etc. I certainly wouldn’t specifically wait for a refresh expecting more value to the customer.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Average current owner won't see a reason to buy a refreshed R1, from what I have heard. Of course I am still excited to find out about what's new.

 

[BigSkies]

Average current owner won't see a reason to buy a refreshed R1, from what I have heard. Of course I am still excited to find out about what's new.

Agreed. Although I expect to get significantly fewer eye-rolls when I tell my friends to buy one if they come out with a lower priced trim.

 

[COdogman]

I would be shocked if there is something announced that would convince me to trade in my 1 year old T, but I’m excited to hear what they have planned.

Things I am personally watching for:

• Lower and upper trim options.
• Streaming options/ pricing.
• Other new software updates (turn signal cameras, etc.)
• New accessories.

 

[DuoRivian]

To everyone suggesting 2 years is too fast to do a refresh - go ahead and look at how long it took Tesla to do their first minor refresh on the Model 3, where they blacked out the chrome and added a power trunk lid among a handful of other tweaks…

(Spoilers: 2 years)

I would hardly call blacked out trim a "refresh" and it is one people can get now for their S third party. A mid cycle refresh would usually entail interior or exterior changes - they won't be changing the stampings for example and the design is already very good. So wheels, exterior colors and a few minor changes (software doesn't count as it comes to existing R1s)

 

[bdwalters]

There’s also nothing saying a refresh will be “better”. From 2022 until now new vehicles have worse sound, less outlets, etc etc. I certainly wouldn’t specifically wait for a refresh expecting more value to the customer.

I would wait for the refresh since it is not far off. It is going to be better overall. I doubt it will be better enough that current owners are going to be willing to upgrade immediately, but I suspect they will be a little jealous.

 

[srkz]

I would hardly call blacked out trim a "refresh" and it is one people can get now for their S third party.

No one is expecting body style changes when they talk about a refresh here. Adventure trim goes from Bosch quad to Enduro tri-motor with the same specs and price. A new Ascent trim gets added at the top of the line with quad Enduros and >1k horsepower, blacked out trim and a couple minor aero/trim tweaks (not body panels) plus new wheel/tire/paint options and a much higher flagship price.

Could also see new computer/camera/sensor package to go alongside the new network architecture and wiring harness upgrades.

All of that fits with what we’ve observed and heard in rumors and it all makes sense for a refresh.

 

[Count Orlok]

who?

 

[ElGuapo]

We all know there’s a refresh coming and it’s very fair to expect it will include some internal tweaks. I think they’ll be noticeable as they need to increase demand. So, things like the new steering wheel and dials we saw on R2, no camp speaker but a drawer (again, saw on R2), maybe even a glove compartment - but that could b structural and don’t want to mess with it, new charging pad for phones, etc. Very typical and necessary to update and spur demand. Likely enduro instead of Bosch which will be efficient but also let them tweak and advertise higher HP, better toque, etc. And probably new cameras or other Driver+ hardware updates.

Anyone who’s been watching knows to wait. Anyone, like me, who has an earlier R1 knows this will happen, but at least it’s not annual like ICE cars!

 

[NY_Rob]

who?

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Rivian has stated that there are changes to the vehicle to support cost improvement. I don't know what you would call that other than a refresh. Specifically they said they are reducing the processor count and include wiring harness changes. To me, that means at a very minimum, the processor is getting upgraded. They also said battery improvements, though I guess it could be argued that how they worded it could not actually affect the battery design, I think that's naive. Further, their filing of updated VIN information confirms a new tri-motor is in the books.

I don't think there is anyway you can say that there isn't a refresh coming, the question is only how visible the refresh will be to the customer. From a technical perspective, it's probably mostly updating the electronics to remove hard to get out of date chips, probably including faster processors. They are probably finally dropping Bosch motors, as they said they would. I personally thinking the pack changes will improve charging speed. They are probably throwing in some customer facing demand, because you can't just leave everything old. They are being very cautious to avoid telling us what changes you'll notice to avoid hurting current sales.

This. If you don't consider these things, then Tesla did their first refresh of the Model S/X in 2022, but obviously AP1/AP2 was different. 90D/100D was different. MCU 1 vs 2 vs 2.5. Motors, suspension, etc. As for timeline it was less than 1 year before MX went AP1 to AP2. It was another 6 mo before they changed their motors/battery design, a year for AP2/MCU2, another year for AP2/MCU2/HW3. It's the beauty of these in that the car/truck doesn't need to change form factors for a refresh to occur.

The reality is Rivian has already been refreshing since launch, call it what you want but changes are coming and a 2025 will have noticeable differences from a 2022 or even a 2024.

 

[Boo23]

I have a Cyberbeast on order just waiting for my VIN, my R1S is an early
VIN 16** and it’s been great but has many many build quality issues, if they do a refresh and it includes a better screwed together interior, better overall build, improved cameras and a 1000 hp+ tri or quad motor I’ll probably write off my Tesla deposit and order another R1S.

 

[DuoRivians]

If R1T has 1000hp+ and lockers on the Ascent trim, that might be very compelling to consider upgrading

 

[JayinNJ]

Rivian has stated that there are changes to the vehicle to support cost improvement. I don't know what you would call that other than a refresh. Specifically they said they are reducing the processor count and include wiring harness changes. To me, that means at a very minimum, the processor is getting upgraded. They also said battery improvements, though I guess it could be argued that how they worded it could not actually affect the battery design, I think that's naive. Further, their filing of updated VIN information confirms a new tri-motor is in the books.

I don't think there is anyway you can say that there isn't a refresh coming, the question is only how visible the refresh will be to the customer. From a technical perspective, it's probably mostly updating the electronics to remove hard to get out of date chips, probably including faster processors. They are probably finally dropping Bosch motors, as they said they would. I personally thinking the pack changes will improve charging speed. They are probably throwing in some customer facing demand, because you can't just leave everything old. They are being very cautious to avoid telling us what changes you'll notice to avoid hurting current sales.

I don't call a cost reduction a refresh.

Sponsored