Rivian’s RAD TUNER is like an equalizer for customizing the Gen 2 Quad powertrain

[CrazyOne]

Huh? There haven't been any other gen 1 updates in the past 3 years that you've been excited about?

There have been massive improvements to things like audio quality and maps, but I am struggling to think of anything that wasn't a bug fix. Google cast is a big new feature. For people who road trip a lot or work from their vehicles, it's a game changer. But I tried it once and that was it. Ok, garage opener from steering wheel button was very good.

I have wanted full control over suspension ever since Rivian started fiddling with what each mode meant. They changed it twice, from what I remember. Between updates, the suspension was bottoming out in certain places. Choosing front/rear power boss would be very cool, but is again buried in the presets. I am happy with pedal calibration.

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[elatrickWheels]

“Give them enough rope to hang themselves with.“ I’m sure that’s what the Rivian engineering team that works on defining and refining the various built-in drive modes was thinking when their toolbox got released to civilians.

 

[mkhuffman]

I disagree. Having access to 100 years of vehicle manufacturing knowledge gives them a heavy advantage over Rivian. Since VW invested heavily in Rivian and their EV technology, I believe the Scout will have minimal issues out of the gate provided VW applies their stringent QC standards to the end of line process.

Service center access will be #1
Software glitches will be #2

I hope you are correct. I would like to see them succeed. Definitely the service model will be a critical part of their success or failure.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Just allow me to make the steering heavier. Most other EV manufacturers allow some modification to the steering weight. Its like my one complaint about how the vehicle drives. Well, my main one.

Honestly though, I think the Quad just makes the Tri that much more attractive. From a pricing standpoint, the Tri doesn't seem that expensive anymore (compared to the quad and now even the refreshed Model X plaid and Lucid Gravity GT) while still having great power and range. Maybe this was the goal all along.

 

[Birdowin]

I'm happy with my gen 1 R1t at $70,500 after tax rebate.

 

[Birdowin]

Although I would like too see some more meaningful upgrades to the gen 1. Like launch mode and tank turn.

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

There have been massive improvements to things like audio quality and maps, but I am struggling to think of anything that wasn't a bug fix. Google cast is a big new feature. For people who road trip a lot or work from their vehicles, it's a game changer. But I tried it once and that was it. Ok, garage opener from steering wheel button was very good.

I have wanted full control over suspension ever since Rivian started fiddling with what each mode meant. They changed it twice, from what I remember. Between updates, the suspension was bottoming out in certain places. Choosing front/rear power boss would be very cool, but is again buried in the presets. I am happy with pedal calibration.

Like you said, they added Youtube and Google Cast. They also added the owl hoot. They added the camp auto-leveling feature. The ability to change the color of interior lights. The ability to view the bed camera in the R1T. They added the side camera during lane changes. Halloween mode. Go Chime. Smart turn signals that turn off automatically. I am sure I am missing some

 

[CrazyOne]

Like you said, they added Youtube and Google Cast. They also added the owl hoot. They added the camp auto-leveling feature. The ability to change the color of interior lights. The ability to view the bed camera in the R1T. They added the side camera during lane changes. Halloween mode. Go Chime. Smart turn signals that turn off automatically. I am sure I am missing some

I never said features are not useful. I only said that I don't care for almost all of them. Auto turn signals are annoying. The turn stalk is already annoying with it not being a real switch.

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

I never said features are not useful. I only said that I don't care for almost all of them. Auto turn signals are annoying. The turn stalk is already annoying with it not being a real switch.

I know you didn't say they weren't useful. I was just surprised that this is the first update that you're excited about. For me, the first update I was excited about iwas the auto level feature.

I'm curious, what about the RAD tuner is so exciting for you?

I feel like the various drive modes are comprehensive enough.

 

[Jonger1150]

I just want the All Purpose Dual motor clunk engagement fixed.

 

[TheRiviAnswer]

I just want the All Purpose Dual motor clunk engagement fixed.

Just think of it as a reminder/notification of your efficiency gains!

 

[SSteveEV]

This was the first update I was excited about .... Rest are bug fixes.

*bug exchanges

Back on topic: I'd love to know what the bottom level for "low" regen is with this Gen 2 update. If it is a true 5-10% vs whatever Gen 1 low is (feels like 60%+ to me) it would be a huge push for me to upgrade from Gen 1. If it is just the same range repackaged it doesn't do much for me but the others are cool and love the implementation. Choices, give us all the choices please!

 

[strykerwsu]

There have been massive improvements to things like audio quality and maps, but I am struggling to think of anything that wasn't a bug fix. Google cast is a big new feature. For people who road trip a lot or work from their vehicles, it's a game changer. But I tried it once and that was it. Ok, garage opener from steering wheel button was very good.

I have wanted full control over suspension ever since Rivian started fiddling with what each mode meant. They changed it twice, from what I remember. Between updates, the suspension was bottoming out in certain places. Choosing front/rear power boss would be very cool, but is again buried in the presets. I am happy with pedal calibration.

Sitting waiting between ball games for 3 kids for an hour google cast is one of my favorite features. Youtubetv on road to watch whatever I want. So much better picture and sound than looking at phone for that same hour.

I get if you don't have similar use case not being a great feature.

 

[shracks]

Just think of all these settings that aren't actually going to be remembered the next time the vehicle wakes from a sleep state

 

[klaopune]

For Gen 2 quads.

"Rivian’s Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid told The Drive the purpose of the RAD Tuner is to allow the owner the ability to customize the entire way the vehicle behaves and reacts. The RAD Tuner will be able to save up to 8 or 16 custom drive modes. The system is meant to truly unlock and demonstrate the “breath of performance,” Bensaid said. The final number hasn’t been determined yet."

https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivians-rad-tuner-is-like-an-equalizer-for-your-evs-powertrain

Much like how drivers seek tailored control over their vehicle's performance, businesses benefit from flexible tools like Paykassma https://paykassma.com/ which offers a streamlined way to manage payments across multiple platforms.

As someone who's been tinkering with performance tuning since the ICE days, i have to say, Rivian’s RAD Tuner is a pretty exciting evolution. This isn't just a gimmick UI overlay, its essentially giving EV owners the kind of granular control we used to only dream of with custom ECU maps.

What stands out most to me is that it’s not just torque and suspension presets, the fact that you can adjust throttle mapping, ride height, damping, and torque vectoring balance all from one interface is wild. You’re not just choosing between “Sport” and “Eco,” you’re building your own personality for the truck. Imagine fine tuning settings depending on the kind of trail you’re hitting or how much load you’re carrying.

Honestly, it reminds me of the shift in audio tech when equalizers went from a few presets to full manual sliders, you don’t just listen, you sculpt the experience. If RAD Tuner really lets you save 8 or more profiles, this could seriously change how modular EV performance feels. Now i’m just hoping we eventually get a “share mode” so people can upload and try each other’s setups like gaming profiles.

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