R2 real-world validation begins! Prototypes will wear unique wraps

[Sgt Beavis]

I'll take mine with that wrap, thank you!

yea, I think that should actually be an option. I look forward to seeing them testing on Colorado roads this year.

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[Yossarian]

No, individual cells do not charge at 800V. An 800V battery pack is a function of the module and pack architecture and how many cells are connected in series. An individual 4695 cell charges at somewhere around 4.2V.

Yes sorry, I should I have said that what I recall reading indicated that planned R2 battery pack with the 4695 cells may be capable of charging at up to 800v.

 

[Ecupip]

What's the purpose of the wrap at this point? They've been showing the R2 without one for months now.

 

[savethemanual]

What's the purpose of the wrap at this point? They've been showing the R2 without one for months now.

They state why in the interview....

Jonathan: Even though the exterior design is out there, there are still small updates happening as we refine the product. The wraps help keep attention on the right things, while also letting us stay flexible during development.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

What's the purpose of the wrap at this point? They've been showing the R2 without one for months now.

They explained it is 1) an automotive tradition and they wanted to have fun with it. 2) There are small changes still happening

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Looks to be right on time for validation testing if their plan is a mid year launch next year. Good to see things are progressing as planned as the R2 is a big deal for Rivian's future.

 

[AirplaneDr]

I wonder if the standard camera/sensor module will go in that space, then with windshield replacements no need for recalibration. Highly doubt it's going to have Lidar....maybe as an option down the road.

I wonder if the standard camera/sensor module will go in that space, then with windshield replacements no need for recalibration. Highly doubt it's going to have Lidar....maybe as an option down the road.

The area at the windshield top-center of the validation build is very interesting to me. There is very clearly SOMTHING going on there. I see 3 possibilities: 1. Forward camera and/or radar moved to an area above the window. 2. A Volvo EX90 style lidar sensor pack. (!!!!) 3. Nothing for now and this is provision for the future.

There is clearly a difference between this area on the prototype we saw a year ago and the validation builds.

The prototype has a very straight upper edge of the windshield:

The validation build has a distinct notch in the middle of the upper edge of the glass (red line added for clarity):

Once we see these wrapped validation builds in the wild it should be pretty obvious if there is a sensor of some type in that area. If there is wrap material covering that area it probably doesn't have anything behind it, at least for now.

All that said I've not seen any implementation of lidar that isn't housed in a blister module with a near vertical window for the laser. Everything we've seen in the R2 design is very sloped backward in that area. A lidar sensor would be very obvious on the validation builds.

 

[JeepEVer]

Rivian appears to making great progress on R2! And the resultant vehicle should be awesome based on the comments by RJ and others!!

2 years is a long time to wait, so I appreciate these posts.

 

[Dirtman16]

Edited to clarify:
My understanding is that Rivian stockpiled a substantial number of batteries from its current Chinese and Korean suppliers to be used for the R2 at launch. The longer-term plan is for the R2 to quickly transition to the larger and more advanced 4695 batteries produced at the new LG Energy Solution (LGES) facility in AZ as soon as that plant is up and running, which I think is late 2026. My recollection is that what I recall reading indicated that planned R2 battery pack with the 4695 cells may be capable of charging at up to 800v.

So the answer may be the the early editions of the R2 will have battery packs that are still limited to 400v but that later edtions with the US-made LGES batteries should have higher voltage capability.

I have a hard time believing this company, in particular, would complicate the early manufacturing process that much. Maybe it will be necessary to do what you say, but I think it's more likely they start with the 4695 cells from the start, even if they have to import them in the short term. My understanding is LG currently makes that form factor in SK until they transition them to Arizona.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

I have a hard time believing this company, in particular, would complicate the early manufacturing process that much. Maybe it will be necessary to do what you say, but I think it's more likely they start with the 4695 cells from the start, even if they have to import them in the short term. My understanding is LG currently makes that form factor in SK until they transition them to Arizona.

I agree. They would complicate things considerably. Hopefully, they either got a great deal to avoid tariffs or have bought them before the tariffs hit.

 

[JasonK]

I'm really liking that camo. I really hope they offer that wrap as an option on the R2.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Some great photos of the R2 with the validation wraps they'll be driving around testing in.

Story can be found here.



Our R2 development fleet has begun taking to the roads—and trails—gathering real-world feedback, refining performance and helping us tune every detail.

In this phase of validation, production-intent vehicles are put through long cycles and extreme conditions, all to ensure R2 is ready for any adventure you may have in 2026 and far beyond.
As these vehicles head into the wild, they'll be wrapped in a colorful, custom camouflage. While the R2 design has already been revealed, our latest wraps serve as a reminder that even in the most technical phases of development, there’s still room to have a little fun.

We caught up with Jonathan Szczupak, our Senior Director of Exterior Design, as he put the final touches on the wraps before the vehicles headed out.

Why do we wrap development vehicles in the first place?

Jonathan: It’s mostly functional—camouflage helps keep certain design elements less visible while we test. But it's also tradition in the automotive world, and a bit of a signal: R2 testing and validation is underway in the real world.


With R2 already revealed, why keep the wraps?

Jonathan: Even though the exterior design is out there, there are still small updates happening as we refine the product. The wraps help keep attention on the right things, while also letting us stay flexible during development.


What inspired these new wrap designs?

Jonathan: We looked to the outdoors—textures, patterns, movement. We wanted to wrap R2 in nature and have it feel alive, dynamic, and a little mysterious. Almost like a children’s storybook. Something you’d want to take a second look at and explore deeper.


Are there any hidden Easter eggs in the designs?

Jonathan: There might be. We like to layer in little surprises—shapes, references and nods to Rivian that aren’t obvious at first glance. It’s a way to reward curiosity.


Could a wrap design like this ever make it into production?

Jonathan: Never say never. People have been asking, and we’re definitely listening. Right now, it’s just for development—but we’re always exploring ways to bring more personality into the ownership experience.



Video & Photos

Someone pointed this out to me on youtube, but the head rest is different the the prototype design. Simpler than the prototype that likely used the R1 series headrest when pieced together.

 

[ForestGreen]

Looks like the charge port is not on the passenger side. It can only mean is on the driver’s side. Nice

 

[JasonK]

I am curious about purpose of that slot in that rear bumper. If I was to guess I would say that could house the blind spot monitoring cameras.

 

[TemporarilyOutofStock]

I am curious about purpose of that slot in that rear bumper. If I was to guess I would say that could house the blind spot monitoring cameras.

It housed the rear red reflector in the prototype that was touring last year. I don’t think it’s changed but we’ll see when the unwrapped production ready vehicle comes.

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