RIvian internal announcement: Software upgrade from Dual to Dual Performance available in 2024

[mpshizzle]

I doubt they have many takers for a $5K software-only package, which is probably exactly why it's never become available despite the news from 13 months ago. It's just mispriced, like Tesla's $14K FSD. At some point if Rivian wants to sell some units the price will drop and early adopters will have to pound sand. It's not that a price drop could not have been predicted....

...the price has already dropped BTW. If you purchase a new Max pack you can buy the performance software for $3,500. - the current $3K max pack promo becomes $4,500 with the performance max models so you're getting the performance tune for $3,500. If you think it won't drop further in the future you're only fooling yourself.

It's an incentive on Max pack, not performance exclusively. The incentive for the performance version is only $200 more than Dual Max. So barely a discount for performance.

But regardless, my prediction is that whenever they release the update, it will be at the same price that they're offering for the same option new from factory.

I would love to know what the percentage of dual sold have been performance. I'm sure they won't have TONS of takers, especially at the $5k price point. But it's an easy way for them to make money

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[AdventureTravel]

Maybe if they put this option up for sale as a stand-alone they'll be clear on what exactly it does and doesn't do. There are well documented reports that it only makes a difference in Sport mode and up to something like 50mph (which gives it the 0-60 bragging rights). There are other reports claiming that it's a game changer generally. I've said it before but i have no issue at all with acceleration from lower speeds, I'm much more interested in whether it would change anything at highway passing speeds.

PDM is definitely faster at highway speeds, I was surprised when I first tried it, I was on the speed limiter right after merging onto the highway.

 

[Kaiju]

I've been watching the development wondering why they've delayed it so long. I have some difficulty believing that it's a technical issue. Is it the sinister forces of marketing at work once again?

I'm kinda hoping that there's something else going on in the background and they're trying to make it more appealing. At the moment they're kinda stuck between pricing it in a way it would be popular, or a price that won't insult the people who paid the full amount up front. It's in no way worth 5k, especially if it's all locked behind sport mode. I say that as someone who hates driving in low. If it did something in all purpose, though? 5k is still a hard sell but it doesn't feel like a total waste.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

I've been watching the development wondering why they've delayed it so long. I have some difficulty believing that it's a technical issue. Is it the sinister forces of marketing at work once again?

I'm kinda hoping that there's something else going on in the background and they're trying to make it more appealing. At the moment they're kinda stuck between pricing it in a way it would be popular, or a price that won't insult the people who paid the full amount up front. It's in no way worth 5k, especially if it's all locked behind sport mode. I say that as someone who hates driving in low. If it did something in all purpose, though? 5k is still a hard sell but it doesn't feel like a total waste.

I agree - I think they are waiting for the right time and price. Maybe even the month before a quarter ends to take advantage of one time revenue boost.
For pricing, I would like to see it packaged with another unlock (like Standard+ battery to Large) for it to be worth more than $3-4k to me.

The value PDM has to an owner (as well as residual warranty liability it creates for Rivian) I think goes down, the older or more miles the truck has.

 

[carsly]

It's an incentive on Max pack, not performance exclusively. The incentive for the performance version is only $200 more than Dual Max. So barely a discount for performance.

But regardless, my prediction is that whenever they release the update, it will be at the same price that they're offering for the same option new from factory.

I would love to know what the percentage of dual sold have been performance. I'm sure they won't have TONS of takers, especially at the $5k price point. But it's an easy way for them to make money

Actually, your graphic shows the $1,500 difference/discount I noted. $3K off for Dual/Max and $4,500 off for Dual/Max/Perf.

 

[mpshizzle]

Actually, your graphic shows the $1,500 difference/discount I noted. $3K off for Dual/Max and $4,500 off for Dual/Max/Perf.

Good catch. I was looking at CAD

 

[VaztheDad]

the performance max models so you're getting the performance tune for $3,500.

If Rivian launched a $3,500 upgrade today for my max pack, I'd pay for that without blinking an eye.

 

[carsly]

If Rivian launched a $3,500 upgrade today for my max pack, I'd pay for that without blinking an eye.

And that's the thing. $5K may be a hard no for a lot of folks, myself included. Probably still a no for a software-only $3,500 upgrade. But at <$2,500 I suspect take rates may be much, much higher. Basically free money for Rivian.

PS. I suspect Rivian will introduce an OTA performance upgrade this year for R1 Gen 2 since unit volumes will be in decline putting pressure on cash as they prepare for R2. I also predict the price of this upgrade will be lower in Q3 as the need for year-end cash mounts. It's already $3,500 with a new build given the promo. Will probably launch around that price point for OTA upgrades. Then it will drop late in the year.

 

[FreddyFugazi]

My guess is they are waiting for additional drive modes to be ready for PDM before releasing the OTA upgrade so it has higher appeal at the price point.

I have the upgrade and based on my limited experience with the truck so far (in deep winter since pick up) the additional power is available outside of sport mode. I have found AP pulls just as hard if not harder when both motors are active. The information in the quoted link also indicates the extra power is used to improve Tow mode.

I too hope they provide a lot more information on what the upgrade actually does and how it impacts drive modes when they offer the OTA upgrade. I read in another thread that the power increases as ride height decreases regardless of drive mode. I want to believe that sport mode is about more than just power as well. I suspect there are other suspension related changes when in sport mode, but I haven't read about that anywhere and haven't had enough good weather to test it myself yet.

At its peak, the system delivers 829 lb-ft of torque and 665 hp. This optimized calibration of horsepower and torque allows us to deliver on the acceleration, performance and vehicle dynamics targets we set, including an improved towing experience with heavier loads and steep grades.

...

Similar to the way we continue to expand our Quad-Motor drive modes, Performance Dual-Motor will see drive mode enhancements in the future. Sent via over-the-air software update, these dynamic improvements will add capability to your vehicle, continuing to upgrade its performance over time.

https://stories.rivian.com/r1-drive-systems-time-to-launch

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