Introducing the 2027 R1 -- R1S / R1T

[Dark-Fx]

"inspired by the Rivian community"

I guess you Carplay people aren't complaining enough yet /s

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[VandalSibs]

Was hoping for R2 pack design and BMS transition. Can see rationale for not having this until architecture change though.

Considering the R2 battery pack is designed to be part of a unibody design (and is structural), you would have to massively re-design both the pack and the chassis on the R1 line, as those are body on frame and the pack isn't structural....

There's a part of me that wonders if they may wait on big battery changes on the R1 line until solid-state batteries become a thing & jump the range numbers way up...

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

"inspired by the Rivian community"

I guess you Carplay people aren't complaining enough yet /s

Don’t encourage them lol

 

[Dark-Fx]

Considering the R2 battery pack is designed to be part of a unibody design (and is structural), you would have to massively re-design both the pack and the chassis on the R1 line, as those are body on frame and the pack isn't structural....

There's a part of me that wonders if they may wait on big battery changes on the R1 line until solid-state batteries become a thing & jump the range numbers way up...

Rivian is still using 5300 mAh batteries in the R1 Max pack. 6500 mAh batteries are the current state of the art for that size. If they were to use those, they'd finally hit the 180kWh capacity in the same pack size.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Considering the R2 battery pack is designed to be part of a unibody design (and is structural), you would have to massively re-design both the pack and the chassis on the R1 line, as those are body on frame and the pack isn't structural....

There's a part of me that wonders if they may wait on big battery changes on the R1 line until solid-state batteries become a thing & jump the range numbers way up...

Valid point. Plus LG’s new plant in AZ isn’t up to speed. And R2 production likely would consume whatever it can produce. Gen2 R1 has only been out since mid ‘24. 2 years is far too soon to expect extensive product evolution in the car biz. Gen1 platform didn’t last long only because production launch was delayed.

Most model lines last 10+ years between major redesigns, or generations, with evolutionary updates every 3 years.

 

[KRIV_ian]

Trying to wrap my head around why the bench seat on the higher trims is only available in black. Haven't they been building the current gen bench seats in the light interiors!

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Trying to wrap my head around why the bench seat on the higher trims is only available in black. Haven't they been building the current gen bench seats in the light interiors!

Probably to keep production as K.I.S.S. as possible. Keep in mind it’s just two assembly lines producing all possible configs at the same time. There aren’t dedicated lines for each config. Take MY26 for example, if you take into account of each individual options, the total number of possible permutations is in the thousands.

 

[savethemanual]

First sentence in their marketing story..." R1 has always been our North Star "

Great to see they're still putting efforts into the R1 that are achievable right now, Rivian has a lot on their plate! Exciting to know they will continue to invest into their Halo product, mass sales of R2 can't come quick enough so we can see a more thoroughly updated North Star. There's no doubt LiDAR and faster DCFC are in the works at some point along with many other features.

 

[KRIV_ian]

Probably to keep production as K.I.S.S. as possible. Keep in mind it’s just two assembly lines producing all possible configs at the same time. There aren’t dedicated lines for each config.

But don't the seats come from a supplier in an as needed basis, so they arrive at the line just in time for installation in the correct vehicle? Maybe they will reintroduce them later.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

But don't the seats come from a supplier in an as needed basis, so they arrive at the line just in time for installation in the correct vehicle? Maybe they will reintroduce them later.

No. Product planners model and predict how many orders they’d receive from customers, based on their market research. Then decide how many to order from supplier, negotiate price and delivery timing for the lot. This is done in advance so suppliers can schedule the order into their production, amongst other customers/orders. It’s not an on-demand process. Suppliers’ factories aren’t sitting idle until orders flow in. And additional production capacity can’t be added on a whim. Additional shifts take time to hire/train. Factory expansion takes time to build. Everything is planned, requisitioned, produced, stocked in advance of seat production at the supplier’s side and ahead of vehicle assembly. While these MY27 changes are just announced, Rivian likely finalized it long ago. The seats are probably already sitting in their supplier campus at Normal.

 

[evguy]

Valid point. Plus LG’s new plant in AZ isn’t up to speed. And R2 production likely would consume whatever it can produce. Gen2 R1 has only been out since mid ‘24. 2 years is far too soon to expect extensive product evolution in the car biz. Gen1 platform didn’t last long only because production launch was delayed.

Most model lines last 10+ years between major redesigns, or generations, with evolutionary updates every 3 years.

Do we know what kind of batteries will be made at the AZ plant? LFP, NMC or both? I've been assuming the base R2 trim will get LFP.

 

[windblowlc]

Is a drop window in an R1T even possible with the gear tunnel and the tonneau cover?

May be not possible with a drop window but a sliding one?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Do we know what kind of batteries will be made at the AZ plant? LFP, NMC or both? I've been assuming the base R2 trim will get LFP.

Gemini summary: “ The Rivian R2 uses next-generation 4695 cylindrical lithium-ion cells (46mm in diameter and 95mm tall) supplied by LG Energy Solution. These cells feature high-nickel chemistry (such as NCA or NCMA) to maximize energy density and are arranged in a structural battery pack configuration.”

A Chinese competitor to LG on the subject and why auto industry is starting to pivot to this particular cell: https://en.highstar.com/blog/4695-cylindrical-battery-rivian-r2

 

[ribuck97]

Considering the R2 battery pack is designed to be part of a unibody design (and is structural), you would have to massively re-design both the pack and the chassis on the R1 line, as those are body on frame and the pack isn't structural....

There's a part of me that wonders if they may wait on big battery changes on the R1 line until solid-state batteries become a thing & jump the range numbers way up...

thx. I see the post back in 2024 with regards to the physical design deltas preventing the battery composition change. Didn't know if it would be technically possible (and cost effective in the long run) to switch to the 4695s and improved cooling but maintain the same package.

 

[skyguyscott]

From a previous post on what improvements or options I'd like to see in a new R1T:

the following options, in order of most wanted:

1. A conventional moon roof or double-row moon roof with retractable tinted glass you could shade, cover, tilt or slide open!
2. OEM Rock sliders engineered to double as running boards and lift points to eliminate the need for pucks!
3. Retractable rear window with wiper, or other way to open so you can haul 2X4s without dropping tail gate!
4. Something like the RAM box
5. Killer roll bar with LED lighting you could totally control color, intensity, sync to music, etc.
6. The beautiful forest edge interior

The following improvements:

1. Segmented side body panel so you don't total the truck from a fender bender.
2. Decent Rear bumper that can handle the same standard impacts without totaling the vehicle and also acts as a step so you can actually use your pick-up just like a "real" truck.!
3. Let's eliminate the overly complex servo-activated, screen-controlled vents
4. Let's put some physical dedicated controls for HVAC; something I can control without looking..
5. A sound system worthy of the price point
6. a glove box (or two)
7. Easily accessible, easily replaced 12-volt battery.
8. replace the ridiculously comical headlights with a more serious design (this will never happen, I know)

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