EVerywhere
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After much waiting, and a false alert where tragically my assigned VIN (102xx) was sent several states away, I finally picked up my second assigned VIN (108xx) R1T from the Michigan SC (which was the original Rivian HQ) yesterday. Truck has 72 miles at delivery, so clearly was used for something, or something needed fixing/road testing at the factory. Here are a few photos, and some initial observations.
The R1T replaces a Cayenne Diesel as my DD. Despite much marketing hype, it turned out that my Cayenne Diesel was green in color only. Although, with the Malone tune it has over 500 ft lbs and gets 33-34 mpg on a run.
For the first couple of hours I was a little disappointed with the fit and finish on the R1T. I was comparing it to the Cayenne which has a ton of not cheap leather/interior options. Then I settled into the knowledge that these are different types of vehicles, with somewhat different use-cases, and for a truck the fit and finish, panel gaps, NVH are very good and way better than any of the direct competition. I'm already hooked on the instant torque of the R1T.
I had to reboot the IVI system 10 minutes into ownership to login to Alexa (I love this forum). Initially Alexa seemed quite helpful, but she is now mostly uncooperative: complaining of connection errors, not understanding the question/command (how difficult is "navigate to Target"?), or being otherwise MIA. I like the big screen, and the nav system seems to have little difficulty if I use the virtual keyboard rather than voice. I miss CarPlay already, having to pick up my phone to call people (Alexa gets it right about 30% of the time) or change what I'm listening to. I'm hoping that the monthly OTA updates continue to add useful functionality and smooth off the rough edges. As a motorcycle rider I was surprised to see the minivan in front of me identified as a motorcycle, I guess everything is putting weight on these days. On the subject of weight, the R1T is truly remarkable in its ability to disguise its 7+k weight.
With all the talk of phantom drain, I decided to leave the R1T unlocked in my garage without charging it to see what happened to %charge overnight. Not a long test, but I can live with 1% in nearly 12 hours, much better than some of the horror stories that I read.
With regen on high I did not need to use the friction brakes yesterday, which prompted me to take a look at the discs this morning and conclude that they needed bedding-in. So with regen on standard I did a bunch of 55-10 mph braking progressing gentle to threshold to transfer pad material to the discs followed by a long cooldown (which is easier with regen braking). Much better stopping power and no grinding on friction braking. If any owners have not done this it is a safety must. Its difficult to see the slight bluish tint to the discs with pad material transferred.
I eased my anxiety of dropping from 700 miles/tank range to <300/charge with every adapter I thought might be useful: Tesla-J1772, NEMA 14-30P and 10-30P to 14-50 adapters, and a 20' 40A J1772 extension. I decided that storing them under the rear seat would mean that they were easily accessible when the frunk is full, and that the copper would be pliable in very cold weather. Great plan, apart from the banging every time I go over a bump. I've ordered a couple of bags from Amazon which will fit alongside the Rivian charge bag and hopefully fix the issue.
Overall paint quality is not quite up to Porsche standards, but is certainly a match for the paint on my C8 Corvette (painted in a new $500M paint shop). I'm going to run over it with a random orbital using Menzerna SI polish, which I've had great results with on other cars (its designed to level new car clearcoat). I'm going to be gentle, but it should take out much of the optical waviness in the clear coat before I get the front end PPF'd next week.
And finally, for my granola-munching brethren: I see your store bought granola, and raise you home made granola!
The R1T replaces a Cayenne Diesel as my DD. Despite much marketing hype, it turned out that my Cayenne Diesel was green in color only. Although, with the Malone tune it has over 500 ft lbs and gets 33-34 mpg on a run.
For the first couple of hours I was a little disappointed with the fit and finish on the R1T. I was comparing it to the Cayenne which has a ton of not cheap leather/interior options. Then I settled into the knowledge that these are different types of vehicles, with somewhat different use-cases, and for a truck the fit and finish, panel gaps, NVH are very good and way better than any of the direct competition. I'm already hooked on the instant torque of the R1T.
I had to reboot the IVI system 10 minutes into ownership to login to Alexa (I love this forum). Initially Alexa seemed quite helpful, but she is now mostly uncooperative: complaining of connection errors, not understanding the question/command (how difficult is "navigate to Target"?), or being otherwise MIA. I like the big screen, and the nav system seems to have little difficulty if I use the virtual keyboard rather than voice. I miss CarPlay already, having to pick up my phone to call people (Alexa gets it right about 30% of the time) or change what I'm listening to. I'm hoping that the monthly OTA updates continue to add useful functionality and smooth off the rough edges. As a motorcycle rider I was surprised to see the minivan in front of me identified as a motorcycle, I guess everything is putting weight on these days. On the subject of weight, the R1T is truly remarkable in its ability to disguise its 7+k weight.
With all the talk of phantom drain, I decided to leave the R1T unlocked in my garage without charging it to see what happened to %charge overnight. Not a long test, but I can live with 1% in nearly 12 hours, much better than some of the horror stories that I read.
With regen on high I did not need to use the friction brakes yesterday, which prompted me to take a look at the discs this morning and conclude that they needed bedding-in. So with regen on standard I did a bunch of 55-10 mph braking progressing gentle to threshold to transfer pad material to the discs followed by a long cooldown (which is easier with regen braking). Much better stopping power and no grinding on friction braking. If any owners have not done this it is a safety must. Its difficult to see the slight bluish tint to the discs with pad material transferred.
I eased my anxiety of dropping from 700 miles/tank range to <300/charge with every adapter I thought might be useful: Tesla-J1772, NEMA 14-30P and 10-30P to 14-50 adapters, and a 20' 40A J1772 extension. I decided that storing them under the rear seat would mean that they were easily accessible when the frunk is full, and that the copper would be pliable in very cold weather. Great plan, apart from the banging every time I go over a bump. I've ordered a couple of bags from Amazon which will fit alongside the Rivian charge bag and hopefully fix the issue.
Overall paint quality is not quite up to Porsche standards, but is certainly a match for the paint on my C8 Corvette (painted in a new $500M paint shop). I'm going to run over it with a random orbital using Menzerna SI polish, which I've had great results with on other cars (its designed to level new car clearcoat). I'm going to be gentle, but it should take out much of the optical waviness in the clear coat before I get the front end PPF'd next week.
And finally, for my granola-munching brethren: I see your store bought granola, and raise you home made granola!
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