Removable Roof Option

[Blur1t]

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[Puttyandnapalm]

First post:
Went down the rabbit hole of EVs and really like the Rivian, but the prospect of a Jeep style removable roof might have just sold me.

I understand they plan to make the roof an option mid-22, but my question is if I reserve now, can I still add that as an option later? Based on what I’ve read so far, it seems like an 18 month wait anyway.

 

[BigE]

First post:
Went down the rabbit hole of EVs and really like the Rivian, but the prospect of a Jeep style removable roof might have just sold me.

I understand they plan to make the roof an option mid-22, but my question is if I reserve now, can I still add that as an option later? Based on what I’ve read so far, it seems like an 18 month wait anyway.

I would say yes, absolutely, put your deposit down now, configure as you prefer today, and then when you get closer to building for your production date, hopefully, the removable top is an option and you'll be all set.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

While the electro-chromatic roof would have been a great, albeit expensive feature, I'd rather have a light tint and a sunshade. As we know, few, if any of us have seen the original offering, so I'll reserve judgement until I sit under it in intense sunlight. At the very least, it looks large enough to provide all folks in the front two rows plenty of view out of the top. Hopefully, it's not too dark.

I'm guessing some aftermarket or factory option will provide an easily-folded and stored screen to block the light and reflect the heat. If not, this community will figure out a cheap way to make that happen.

The sunshade is also useful in the winter, in that it mitigates the cascade of cold air that falls from the roof glass down over your face and shoulders. It doesn't take much to accomplish this. A thin piece of fabric does the trick. Without some shade, I'm quite sure the roof glass will get *very* cold in a Michigan winter while going 70 down the freeway. I'm not looking forward to that cold shower of air.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

First post:
Went down the rabbit hole of EVs and really like the Rivian, but the prospect of a Jeep style removable roof might have just sold me.

I understand they plan to make the roof an option mid-22, but my question is if I reserve now, can I still add that as an option later? Based on what I’ve read so far, it seems like an 18 month wait anyway.

They have said that when you make a reservation, changes to your configuration do not affect your "place in line"

 

[ads75]

First post:
Went down the rabbit hole of EVs and really like the Rivian, but the prospect of a Jeep style removable roof might have just sold me.

I understand they plan to make the roof an option mid-22, but my question is if I reserve now, can I still add that as an option later? Based on what I’ve read so far, it seems like an 18 month wait anyway.

My understanding is your configuration isn't locked until one of their "Guides" contacts you and tells you to finalize your configuration. I can't imagine they would lock you out of future options should they make them available before your build date. But I also am skeptical on Rivian adding options until they significantly get through the current preorders/reservations. Maybe they will prove me wrong on that. I do find that I put my Wranglers soft top down much less than I thought I would when I bought it, mainly enjoy just taking the back and sides off, safari style. I plan on a R1T, but would strongly consider the R1S if the rear window retracted like 4Runners used to (maybe still do). I think a retracting rear window isn't an option for the R1T because it looks like it may interfere with the gear tunnel, and possibly Toyota patents.

 

[Jnz]

I would like to have the option to remove the roof, but will like having a glass roof to let in light. I have a Wrangler now, and drive most of the summer with the back and rear windows out. So, I think what I’d use more would be a way to remove, open or lower the rear window.

 

[crashmtb]

The sunshade is also useful in the winter, in that it mitigates the cascade of cold air that falls from the roof glass down over your face and shoulders. It doesn't take much to accomplish this. A thin piece of fabric does the trick. Without some shade, I'm quite sure the roof glass will get *very* cold in a Michigan winter while going 70 down the freeway. I'm not looking forward to that cold shower of air.

For what it’s worth I’ve spent time on the highway in a Tesla model S in Manitoba winter. no sunshade there and don’t notice cold coming from the roof.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

For what it’s worth I’ve spent time on the highway in a Tesla model S in Manitoba winter. no sunshade there and don’t notice cold coming from the roof.

I was hoping someone would chime on this with their experience! This gives me hope.

 

[crashmtb]

I was hoping someone would chime on this with their experience! This gives me hope.

It‘ll be fine. Hot air rises!

 

[koersontap]

It‘ll be fine. Hot air rises!

Exactly this! I find with the defrost setting, the hot air simply follows the contour of the roof, and keeps the cabin air circulating fine at a comfortable temperature. You can even test this yourself; set your heater to a comfortable temperature on defrost, and open your sunroof. You'd be shocked at how little you notice it, and this is with an actual opening.

 

[Dark-Fx]

The sunshade is also useful in the winter, in that it mitigates the cascade of cold air that falls from the roof glass down over your face and shoulders. It doesn't take much to accomplish this. A thin piece of fabric does the trick. Without some shade, I'm quite sure the roof glass will get *very* cold in a Michigan winter while going 70 down the freeway. I'm not looking forward to that cold shower of air.

My Polestar has a glass roof. I haven't noticed what you're describing, but it hasn't gotten below low 20F's here yet. Maybe at -10F it'll be a problem? The roof is definitely cool/cold to the touch but it doesn't seem to draft down. There's always air being pushed towards the back to recirculate down.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

Exactly this! I find with the defrost setting, the hot air simply follows the contour of the roof, and keeps the cabin air circulating fine at a comfortable temperature. You can even test this yourself; set your heater to a comfortable temperature on defrost, and open your sunroof. You'd be shocked at how little you notice it, and this is with an actual opening.

My experience with the cold cascade has been when the heat is coming through the floor vents only, which is the traditional "heat" option. In this case there isn't much air blowing overhead. It is also in this case that the very cold sunroof cools the air inside the cabin and slowly showers it down. I notice it in our Enclave and in my Infiniti. Both have a manual sunroof cover inside the cabin that addresses the issue.

 

[Monkey]

I was hoping someone would chime on this with their experience! This gives me hope.

The glass roof in the Model Y is great. Tons of light, but not too bright or issues with sun. I really don't understand why some people think they need a sun-shade. No issues with heat and I drive through southern Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona with the car. We're talking 110°F heat and high-altitude, high-UV exposure for much of it. We have owned the car since June of 2020 and have been through two summers and starting our second winter with it now. Cold is not an issue either and lots of Colorado mountain driving year round. My only two complaints about the car are the suspension/ride quality and the road noise due to minimal sound insulation to keep down weight. But I'll take the all glass roof in any future vehicle I get. Looking forward to it on the Rivian. When it's really cold out, like -25 in the mountains, you do feel some cold emanating from all your glass surfaces. I'm more aware of it from my side window than from the roof. Just keep cabin air circulating and it's all good. If you just un the floor vents, that's kinda no bueno in most cars when it gets really cold. Need the uppers or defrost going too. I usually do floor with defrost and that rolls up the windshield and along the roof and everyone is happy. then there's seat heaters too.

As much as I like the concept of a removable roof like a Jeep or the Hummer EV, It's more a pain than anything. They eventually find a way to leak, especially with my environment and driving areas and huge temperature swings. Not so convenient when you have to quickly put it all back together with sudden weather changes and then when it's off it's nice one minute and then the next you're on a trail section with brutal sun beating down on you. Then there's the times you want the top back on and all the windows up because the dust or wind. Nope, I think I just want the fixed glass roof.

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