R2 Launch Edition expectations

[DJFrerichs]

You bring up a great point and might be why they are moving the Standard up to Summer of 2027 in lieu of end of 2027. I question if that will hurt their capital gain numbers as the margins have to be thin.

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[Jeremy3292]

Funny you mention LIDAR/RAP1 version...I asked the Rivian Assistant about that if I was able allowed to put in an order and it said it would be an option to select when ordering that would then drive future deliver of. Surprised Rivian is not asking that as a question in the app like they did on if you were interested in a launch edition. I assume they don't want to ask as a suggestion that may cause people to not want the launch edition initially. I also heard in one of the recent review vids that the Non-Launch Edition Performance (assume that is when LIDAR/RAP1 is available) will start in the $55k range. Not sure if that will hold by then, but that is such a small bump from Premium that why wouldn't you go Performance for another $2k if so?

I see this the other way around. The performance trim is and will be $57,990 even after the LE is gone. The LE gives you extra benefits you won't get once it just the normal performance trim, hence the point of it - it's a "good deal". Matches up perfectly with the Model Y performance price too.

 

[Great Gatsby]

I see this the other way around. The performance trim is and will be $57,990 even after the LE is gone. The LE gives you extra benefits you won't get once it just the normal performance trim, hence the point of it - it's a "good deal". Matches up perfectly with the Model Y performance price too.

I foresee them going the way of Tesla once the LE is gone and just make the color add ons free for the performance trim to help entice people up from the premium. That or better financing rates. They have plenty of tools to keep the performance trim desirable, hopefully, as unfortunately the 0-60 is not what is going to sell a lot of these.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Am I wrong to think with the high number of reservations placed in relation to the production numbers ramping up, my chances of ever getting a R2 Launch edition are slim/none since I just put down my $100 on 6/12/26?

Moot to speculate. No one knows how many LEs they will produce or whether they've even made that decision already. It's most likely a fluid situation, pending supply and demand—both of which influence business decisions at any moment. All that is known is as the LE name suggest, not an unlimited-time offering. And once the books close on LE, it's basically a Performance. No big deal.

 

[wnealisr226]

I foresee them going the way of Tesla once the LE is gone and just make the color add ons free for the performance trim to help entice people up from the premium. That or better financing rates. They have plenty of tools to keep the performance trim desirable, hopefully, as unfortunately the 0-60 is not what is going to sell a lot of these.

Unlikely, the R1 still only has 1 "free" color.

 

[emroch]

It's not "basically a Performance", it literally is a Performance. Aside from the exclusive paint color and key fob, it is purely a marketing thing for them to include the tow package and autonomy+ for free. When the LE is no longer available, they are still going to have to build the exact same cars, just with one less paint option.

I think it's reasonable to expect them to allow anyone who reserves before a particular date to order an LE, regardless of when the delivery window is. The fact that you have a reservation now probably means you're good, even if you end up taking delivery at the tail end of the LE window.

That's just my gut feeling though, so take with a grain of salt.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

It's not "basically a Performance", it literally is a Performance. Aside from the exclusive paint color and key fob, it is purely a marketing thing for them to include the tow package and autonomy+ for free. When the LE is no longer available, they are still going to have to build the exact same cars, just with one less paint option.

I think it's reasonable to expect them to allow anyone who reserves before a particular date to order an LE, regardless of when the delivery window is. The fact that you have a reservation now probably means you're good, even if you end up taking delivery at the tail end of the LE window.

That's just my gut feeling though, so take with a grain of salt.

If you want to be pedantic, yes it IS a Performance with difference being what is included and at-additional-charge option... and the resulting out-the-door difference in price. Hence, "basically", with obvious caveats after you compare trim specs.

 

[Great Gatsby]

Unlikely, the R1 still only has 1 "free" color.

The gap between the dual and tri is larger due to range, which alone can sway people. The premium and performance have the same range. They also don't need to make as many R1 vehicles - so not really a like comparison.

To keep the performance trim going in volume for the R2, they will need to more heavily incentivize people looking at the premium.

They seem to copy a lot of Tesla's playbook. The Model S and X never had as many incentives as the 3 and Y do for the reasons above.

Of course, all a guess my end, but would not surprise if Rivian did the same as I personally think this is a good move by Tesla and convinced me to go the Model Y Performance once adding color options to the Y Premium made the gap much smaller. The Performance is great now due to the launch package. When the launch package ends and the premium is readily available, I don't foresee many people paying up to the performance if things stay as they are.

 

[emroch]

Given the subtlety of the differences between the Premium and Performance, it wouldn't surprise me if Rivian just let it ride. Once they met demand and reach equilibrium (or at least have accurate and stable forecasts), I imagine it wouldn't be too disruptive to have a Standard and Premium production line, and just divert a few of the premiums to get different brake calipers and suspension assemblies. The wheel and paint options also seem easy to support on the main production line.

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