R2 at Venice Beach Block Party (Catalina Cove, Launch Green, Half Moon Grey, Glacier White, Midnight Black)

[DuoRivian]

The way petrol prices are, this could not have come at a better time.

Last year would have been better for them to start since even if gas prices were low all of this years production is spoken for and a lot of next years.

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[Eric9610]

Right, so a big deal for Rivian but nothing at all for the market all around. Making generic cars that people will buy is a market for sure. The challenge for Rivian that I see is buyers asking, why would I risk the subpar service and support compared to major brands when this is just another SUV? The R1 has a ton of differentiators.

I own 2 Rivian's now and Plan to add 2 R2's. I have had much better service experience than I ever did from Tesla. While I think this is market dependent. I live in So. Cal and have 3 SC very close to me. But these are the markets where the R2 will sell like hotcakes.

 

[37.773972 -122.431297]

This is a Huge deal! the quality of the materials is on another level compared to the Model Y and others in this class. Also, Rivian's decision to style like a traditional box design is not new but unique for an EV. It was very interesting to hear that the majority of the people attending did not own Rivian's. From the conversations I overheard they all had Tesla's or other cars.

I believe everyone that wants a Launch car will get one. It would be foolish for Rivian to not fulfill all the people that select defiantly interested. I suspect of all the reservations the people interested in the Launch spec are only 20-35k of the preorders or less. I may be unique in this opinion, but I don't think we see any non-LE cars this year.

Boy, I hope you are right. I did select definitely interested in the LE, reserved on Day 2, not a Rivian owner. I really hope that I'm one of the 25-30K.

 

[JeepEVer]

Catalina Cove looks so different in shade vs sun.

This was my Biggest take away also! Its so dark in the shade and bright in the daylight.

On the videos Catalina Cove seemed to change from blue to green depending on the sun and viewing angle, which is supposedly by design.

I checked Walnut Creek (San Francisco Bay Area) this past weekend but they did not have the R2 colors yet.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Great photos. Amazing how the colors change in different light - Catalina Cove looks Rivian Blue in some photos.

People’s phones make a difference too. It’s best to see them in person. I wish I could.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

On the videos Catalina Cove seemed to change from blue to green depending on the sun and viewing angle, which is supposedly by design.

I checked Walnut Creek (San Francisco Bay Area) this past weekend but they did not have the R2 colors yet.

It is by design and how metallic paints can be dynamic pending environment, light and composition of reflective flakes in the paint.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

I had a chance to attend the Venice event today. Despite the fact that there was lots of people they seemed to do a good job of trying to get everyone a chance to sit in the car and touch it.

I was impressed with the amount of legroom in the backseat. Reminded me of my R1.
It seems funny to say, but it just felt like a baby R1. Just a little smaller in all dimensions but not lacking for space for the driver. Still seemed like it had plenty of room for a long legged or tall torso people.

The screen in front of the steering wheel seemed slightly smaller, but still plenty big.
Lots of little things have been done differently, such as the pockets on the back of the driver seat. They were still nice, but just not as nice as the R1. The dashboard was still nice, and in my opinion, still far better than the model Y. But a little bit simpler and not as fancy as the R1.
As someone else posted, many people I talked to did not have an R1. They were very interested in the differences and why I was considering an R2.
Overall, the quality of the car seemed about what I expected. A trade-off of finishing for price.
I still plan to get one, I’m very enticed by a slightly smaller vehicle, more efficient, better self driving capabilities than my GEN1 R1.

 

[DuoRivian]

I had a chance to attend the Venice event today. Despite the fact that there was lots of people they seemed to do a good job of trying to get everyone a chance to sit in the car and touch it.

I was impressed with the amount of legroom in the backseat. Reminded me of my R1.
It seems funny to say, but it just felt like a baby R1. Just a little smaller in all dimensions but not lacking for space for the driver. Still seemed like it had plenty of room for a long legged or tall torso people.

The screen in front of the steering wheel seemed slightly smaller, but still plenty big.
Lots of little things have been done differently, such as the pockets on the back of the driver seat. They were still nice, but just not as nice as the R1. The dashboard was still nice, and in my opinion, still far better than the model Y. But a little bit simpler and not as fancy as the R1.
As someone else posted, many people I talked to did not have an R1. They were very interested in the differences and why I was considering an R2.
Overall, the quality of the car seemed about what I expected. A trade-off of finishing for price.
I still plan to get one, I’m very enticed by a slightly smaller vehicle, more efficient, better self driving capabilities than my GEN1 R1.

Thanks for this overview. I am like you an R1 Gen 1 owner strongly considering an R2. What is your impression of the materials for the dashboard and doors, simpler design but comparable quality to R1?
Is the headliner similar to R1 (suede like) as well or a more woven fabric feel?

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

Very disappointed they only had one R2 open to sit in while I was there. When I was there just before 11am the wait to sit in it was about an hour. Ridiculous.

The outside of R2 looked great and the size is just about perfect for my needs. I am looking forward to doing a test drive.

This is why I'm not a fan of the "road show" and would much rather they just have 1-2 at each Rivian Space full time.

This event seems catered to the general public, not the early adopter current R1 owners who will be opting for a LE.

 

[Joe Hoffman]

The dashboard and door materials seemed not as nice as my R1. Although it seemed nicer than what Tesla was putting in their Y vehicles.
In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with the R2. It’s a very nice vehicle. I just feel like I’ve gotten spoiled with an R1 quality interior. My wife, who is less picky than I am, didn’t notice the difference and thought the R2 was great.
I don’t remember noticing the headliner materials specifically.

 

[DuoRivian]

The dashboard and door materials seemed not as nice as my R1. Although it seemed nicer than what Tesla was putting in their Y vehicles.
In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with the R2. It’s a very nice vehicle. I just feel like I’ve gotten spoiled with an R1 quality interior. My wife, who is less picky than I am, didn’t notice the difference and thought the R2 was great.
I don’t remember noticing the headliner materials specifically.

Thanks, sounds like me with being picky on interior materials and my wife not noticing the difference. I am looking forward to seeing the R2 in the flesh at a local space and having a test drive.

 

[Katsudon]

Videos from Venice Block Party featuring multiple R2

 

[Katsudon]

And more photos of R2 in Catalina Cove, Launch Green, Half Moon Grey, Glacier White and Midnight Black.

Sample swatches of interiors:

Black Crater interior
Black Crater Signature interior
Coastal Cloud Signature interior

 

[HaveBlue]

A couple more pics from yesterday's event

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

And more photos of R2 in Catalina Cove, Launch Green, Half Moon Grey, Glacier White and Midnight Black.

Sample swatches of interiors:

Black Crater interior
Black Crater Signature interior
Coastal Cloud Signature interior

I like some of the exterior colors (Catalina Cove and Forest Green) and the interior colors are ok. I just wish they had one warm exterior color at launch (red, orange, or yellow) and a tan or brown interior or a warmer wood finish (maybe limited runs in future?)

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