Will Gen3 hardware be included with R2 Launch Edition later?

[Smlee]

But again, people know what they are getting with Gen 2 autonomy and point to point. If Rivian can't get Point to Point done on Gen 2, their autonomy ambitions are dead as that software stack is fundamental to Gen 3. They can't abandon it as it doesn't work that way anymore.

This isn't even that huge of an ask either as it largely gets them to what Tesla is doing. It's not a hardware issue like with Gen 1 owners.

I thought the current Gen 2 Hw is equivalent to Tesla ver 4 HW. So, point to point should be possible with the additional sensors and better cameras on Gen 2 hw.

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[DuoRivian]

What will happen is what I said in earlier comments. LE P model still gets made for everyone with a window. They then launch the Premium model with HW3 at the end of the year. If I was Rivian this is what I would do. This way you meet all your public comments on availability.

If you want active dampers and performance than the LE model is for you. No where have I seen them say the Premium model will have an LE pack.

This is the smartest business decision they can make without pissing off early buyers.

To me I ordered my LE car as in 5 years I still think we wont see the full use or implementation of Lidar for other than data mapping.

Exactly this squares the circle of the messaging inconsistency with end of the year/early next year. And avoids annoying early purchasers.

 

[DuoRivian]

I thought the current Gen 2 Hw is equivalent to Tesla ver 4 HW. So, point to point should be possible with the additional sensors and better cameras on Gen 2 hw.

You are correct, the processor is comparable to HW4 and the sensor suite superior. This is why Rivian has said Gen 2.5 and Gen 3 will be comparable for multiple years.

 

[Zathras]

There's no chance. Rivian isn't claiming/promising any of the Lidar features/capabilities for launch R2, and there's significant body work and electrical changes needed for all the RAP hardware.

The "good news" is they've said the LIDAR setup will be at parity with the non-LIDAR for the first few years, so it's probably not until 2029 until you start seeing LIDAR-specific features.

When the date comes they have the hardware done and ready to go, they will simply take the remaining Gen 2 hardware and put it to the side for future repairs of Gen 2 R2s. They stop the production line, bring in the pallet with the first set of Gen3/LiDAR infotainment systems, start the production line and all R2s from then on have the more advance systems.

There is no way it will be any more complicated then that. The only thing stopping them from doign it now is the hardware isn't tested and ready to go.

It does not matter when LiDAR specific features are put into action. They will install the Gen3 hardware the second it's ready, tested, and manufactured in enough numbers to keep up with the production line. They are anxious to get mapping with LidAR to make things better for every Gen 2 vehicle they have produced to date. And it's going in every R2 they make from that point on.

 

[Smlee]

They said Gen3 will be available at the end of 2026. According to their system, I can order in November/December, and then it will take them one or two months to deliver. If at this time they start to build vehicles with Gen3, do you think they will tell me I'm getting a hitch instead of lidar?

Yes they have to let you know, since you will configure your R2.

 

[tivoboy]

My money is on no overlap between LE and Gen3. The LE includes ~$3500 of free options, which feels about right for the price of a HW upgrade. That is, they'll be willing to "discount" $3500 in either config, but you get either LE freebies OR Gen3 HW.

Since reservation holders have been told they will be able to get the LE in Dec '26 - Feb '27, I'm uncertain when the Gen3 rollout is likely to happen. Rivian has claimed they will ship this year, so will the Premium trims start with Gen3? Or is Rivian expecting to be able to ramp faster and pull in those reservation timeframes and switch over to Gen3 before Dec 31?

I think the most likely case is that all MY27 vehicles (including all LE) will be Gen2.5 and all MY28 will be Gen3. Whether they make two versions of Premium/Standard trims or jump straight to MY28 for those is unclear.

I‘ll take the bet that there is SOME overlap, and not just the logistics of Deliveries..

But I agree with others, you that they won’t offer the LE WITH LIDAR for the same price at EOY or H1’27.

But I think there are enough ppl who have reservations, have received DEC or early 27 confirmations of expected ordering time and notice that “you’ll be able to order the LE at that time”..

And the OEM won’t want to purposely delay the product inclusion of the lidar windscreen, possibly altered roof frame, GPU/CPU brainbox, etc.. they’ll want to just keep those production paths and milestones going.

And they really don’t want to lets just say piss off someone who might have bought an LE in Nov, for XYZ$, just to have the next gen hardware all available in DEC Or JAN’27 for the SAME XYZ$ in the LE config.

So it’s LE, OR whatever else one chooses WITH LIDAR when lidar makes its way to most likely all builds going forward.

 

[AmpedToGo]

Invert this question. Imagine you’re RJ and the Rivian software crew. You’re building a Large Driving Model for Autonomy. You have a fair bit of data from your R1 customers but you want next-level autonomous driving performance and more customers to experience Autonomy on many more roads. And you want to get there fast.

What do you do? You launch R2 with compelling premium value to build demand, and as soon as you can you integrate Lidar to boost the quality of the data these new cars collect and contribute to Rivian’s large driving model.

I’m willing to push back my LE delivery a bit to get RAP/HW3 but with a Nov/Dec order window I feel I have better than a coin toss chance of ordering our ideal LE config with the new autonomy hardware.

Happy driving, all!

After thinking about this further, I think others are right. Once HW3 is good to go, we'll likely get a choice of Performance+HW3 or Performance LE but not both. Hope we'll learn more before the summer ends.

 

[bobdod]

Some sort of 'this or that' option makes sense - perhaps some brief overlap, as a reservation owner looking at the October timeline, of course I'd love a Gen3 option, but we'll see.

I imagine the supply chain and inventory planning will drive a lot of this. They have tooling and process changes that will need to happen for RAP1+lidar and they will want that to be a quick and clean cut-over. Add in whatever their supplier deals are for launch edition hardware quantities. They likely already have orders set for parts for both launch edition models as well as Gen3 models. So....how does that consumption align with remaining reservations who have been 'promised' a launch edition? It does feel like it is messy from both a buyer perspective as well as a supply chain/planner one.

 

[Zathras]

I don’t think Rivian even knows at this point. They have to finish Gen3/LiDAR/RAP1 first and then work out when to stop production, update the line and restart production. Gen3 is coming to all R2s made after a specific date. It’s likely it could go several ways.

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