Jason Camissa's verdict on R1 Gen 2: Substantial update to a near-perfect vehicle

[Electric Rivilution]

High praise coming from Jason Camissa about the 2025 R1!

"Verdict Rivian R1 Gen 2: Still what people actually want when they say Range Rover.​

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R1S & R1T look barely different but got huge efficiency improvements​

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Lots of spec changes, but fundamentals are still: amazing space utilization, stupid fast, great to look at, live with, or drive.​

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Ride quality has always needed work, esp on R1S. It’s better, but still not up to the standard of the rest of the truck. Some front/rear pitching still, unwanted wallow, and far more bumpstop excursions than something with this much wheel travel should ever have​

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Terrible? Absolutely not. But it’s more amazing off-road than on​

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Baja-style drifting on dirt in the 2-motor shows literally perfect chassis balance​

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New electrical architecture saves 1.6 miles and 44 lb of wire, reduces # of body modules from 17 to 7, eliminates fuses, >600 wires, 80 connectors​

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A big update that goes about ½ as far as Cybertruck did (no 48V, no full redundancy of controllers or network)​

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Up to 420 mi EPA range (!)​

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New batteries: 92.5 109.4 141.5 kWh (usable)​

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2-motor Performance = 665hp, 0-60 in 3.4s​

3-motor (1 front 2 rear) = 850hp, 2.9s​

4-motor = 1025hp, <2.5s,​

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Watched R1T do a 2.43s 0-60 on VHT​

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Claimed ¼ mile 10.5s @ 130 makes this quickest truck in history. Can’t wait to verify! I got close — Traction control isn’t quite as quick as the best, occasionally gets caught out, but the 4-motor is still being finished​

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Meaningful upgrades all over, also some trivial ones like electric door releases and Dolby Atmos (sounds amazing, limited use)​

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UX continues to be mostly good, but small functions take over the whole screen, still no CarPlay/AndroidAuto — infuriating! ?​

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Huge update to Autonomy platform, uses 11 cameras + 5 radars for cruise cntrl, can “see” up to 1000’ away, 10x processing speed. Works brilliantly.​

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Overall, substantial update to a near-perfect vehicle that’s already killing it in sales. And deservedly so - a hell of a product."​

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[Electric Rivilution]

"Watched R1T do a 2.43s 0-60 on VHT" OMG ?

 

[MidnightRivian]

"Watched R1T do a 2.43s 0-60 on VHT" OMG ?

Keep in mind the Midnight Black paint is so slick it helps shave 1/2 second off. That’s why it’s so fast

 

[Kidentist]

Jason Camissa is one of the greatest automotive reporters journalists of all time, whatever he says....I listen.

 

[krockett]

First time I’m seeing that the speed limitation has been increased.

Claimed ¼ mile 10.5s @ 130

 

[BigE]

First time I’m seeing that the speed limitation has been increased.

Claimed ¼ mile 10.5s @ 130

I'm wondering...is that with the performance Michelin tires which are 305's in the rear and will be an option for the quad per Kyle C. video?

 

[Electron]

Jason Camissa is one of the greatest automotive reporters of all time, whatever he says....I listen.

1000% and that's not even exaggerating. His production is #1 among them all.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

First time I’m seeing that the speed limitation has been increased.

Claimed ¼ mile 10.5s @ 130

130mph!!! Holy half shafts!

 

[iansriv]

Glad to hear the drive quality is still sub-par. This worried me as I have a gen1 ready for pick up

Misery loves company. Seriously though, my R1S is on 20ATs and I think the drive quality is great. Keep in mind I've only had sports cars before the R1S. You won't be disappointed.

 

[iansriv]

130mph!!! Holy half shafts!

That's not much. I've been passed at 155 as if I was doing 55.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

That's not much. I've been passed at 155 as if I was doing 55.

If you've been passed in the 1/4 mile by someone doing 155, then they had 1400hp in a 3000lb car. I had a 161mph 1/4 mile car.

 

[iansriv]

If you've been passed in the 1/4 mile by someone doing 155, then they had 1400hp in a 3000lb car. I had a 161mph 1/4 mile car.

I was on the Autobhan. The BMW governor was 155 and that's what I was going at. The Porsche (GT3/turbo?) passed me like I was in reverse. I was and remain in awe.

 

[iansriv]

Someone in another thread just said the drive quality is worse than the Honda Pilot...

I've never driven a Pilot but everyone is entitled to their opinions. Have you test driven the R1? I did 2 (1 hour each) test drives before getting my R1. One was on 21s and the other on 20s. I drove normal streets, highway and some very bad roads; no off roads. I liked both drives. I have had a R1T loaner and have driven my friends R1S. They are all consistently great drives. This is just my experience and opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Cheers.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I've never driven a Pilot but everyone is entitled to their opinions. Have you test driven the R1? I did 2 (1 hour each) test drives before getting my R1. One was on 21s and the other on 20s. I drove normal streets, highway and some very bad roads; no off roads. I liked both drives. I have had a R1T loaner and have driven my friends R1S. They are all consistently great drives. This is just my experience and opinion so take it with a grain of salt. Cheers.

We own both an R1T and an R1S and we love the way they drive. When the Gen3 comes out with an advanced battery chemistry and associated BMS with next level range, we'll absolutey buy another set......

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I was on the Autobhan. The BMW governor was 155 and that's what I was going at. The Porsche (GT3/turbo?) passed me like I was in reverse. I was and remain in awe.

The new Rivians are faster and quicker than a GT3 in the quarter mile....155 isn't fast for a top-end...anyway, digressing...

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