What do you think of Dual Motor Performance? | Views on Sport Mode in particular

[Rividiculous]

What do those of you with Dual Motor Performance R1s think of Sport Mode?

Yes, there is a recent thread [here] on the soon-to-be-available OTA Performance upgrade for Dual Motor R1s. Great discussion there on a broad set of issues (price, strategy, etc.). Here, I'm hoping to hear what people with Dual Motor Performance R1s think of Sport Mode. My motivation is selfish: I have a regular Dual Motor and am considering the upgrade. (I wanted a Dual Motor Performance originally but couldn't get it with the other options I wanted at the time.)

In particular:

- How does the driving experience compare? Is the difference mostly just oomph when you hit the accelerator or is it about the handling?

- Do you notice benefits when driving responsibly or only when driving like a hooligan? (I love my R1S but it's heavy and I really don't want to kill anyone.)

- Is it right that Sport Mode only allows you to have the suspension in "Firm"? (I usually use Firm anyway.)

- Any other parameter limitations in Sport Mode? E.g., can you use any level of regen desired?

- What kind of range hit do you see when driving in Sport v. All Purpose?

- Is tire wear more even when using Sport Mode?

- How does Sport Mode compare to Snow Mode?

- Other thoughts on Sport Mode?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

Also, to my surprise, I couldn't find any existing threads on this topic. If there's already a good one, a link to it would be appreciated.

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[cwrigh01]

It's funny you ask, because last night we were discussing the merits of our "must get a Performance" decision when we purchased our 2024 R1T. We also have a 2023 Model Y Performance and just assumed it would function the same way (our fault), not that the extra power would only come through Sport mode. For this reason, we always forget about it! When we DO use it, we love the quick throttle response, but the ride is pretty damn bouncy, more akin to our MYP, which is the least fun part of that car). I don't think we can change the suspension in Sport, pretty sure it is all or nothing.

So all that said, knowing what we know now, I would have to think twice about getting the upgrade.

 

[CANCERDOC]

Sport mode is a lower ride height with option for "firm" or "soft" damper setting. It might also tighten the steering but its not that noticeable.

You notice the extra power immediately, but I think it is mostly due to the rear axle always being engaged. It does accelerate more violently from a start. Which is kind of fun.

The penalty however is that on low ride height, the ride is terrible with the 22's. I've driven quad R1S with 20's and sport mode ride is still not really that good. On the R1T, the ride is better - they just tuned the R1T that much smoother. I cannot speak for Gen2 R1S which have a better ride quality, in which case being forced to low height for sport mode (the only mode you get more power) might not be that bad.

As a result, I rarely use sport mode. I just don't like the bumpy ride. It is not worth the trade off for more power. AP is plenty fast for me.

I HOPE they offer an option in sport mode to use standard height. That would be a game changer.

 

[R1Yes]

On a Gen2 R1S with the 22” tires, Sport mode is fun…if you’re on smooth pavement. Otherwise the ride is pretty uncomfortable. We got Performance because it was the only way to get the config we wanted from the Shop, but we hardly ever use it.

 

[ndmiller]

I've only used sport mode once or twice since purchase. It's a pickup with almost 600HP, no real need for anything called sport. Blistering fast regardless. I did try to use sport when going to slow on a 2 lane road for the suspension to lower, but as both motors kicked in never saw any efficiency gain.

 

[tbrockhurst]

We got the Performance option on purchase. We’ve maybe used it twice & then only on smooth tarmac & to ‘test’ it. It’s nice to know it’s there & Sport mode does have much more urgency to it, but tbh for everyday driving, AP has plenty of acceleration particularly when joining a freeway. I’d rather have the range than speed, as I’m extremely mindful of the sheer mass of the car & the crazy SoCal freeway drivers.
One thing I find dangerous though is the inconsistency between using High regen in a city & then again at Freeway speeds. It feels like it takes forever to slow over 60mph, forcing me to leave an extra large buffer to the car in front.

 

[meshugy]

I have a Quad and only use sport mode for the occasional launch. The ride is way too harsh for regular driving.

 

[beatle]

I don't find the ride to be that bad in low/firm. I prefer it over low/soft. Lowest can be jarring and dizzying on certain surfaces though. The responsiveness is great, however. It's something you just can't get in AP mode, even if you reduce traction control to allow the rear to remain engaged.

One thing not mentioned is that unless you're on a G1 quad, you can't leave the truck in sport mode. It will kick you back to AP after sleeping for 4 hours. IMO this is something that should be mentioned during the demo. Given this, if I get another Rivian I am a lot less likely to invest in the performance upgrade.

 

[Brian-MS90D]

I like using the poor man's sport mode:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...reduced-stability-for-kinda-sport-mode.28633/

Also, keep in mind that the quicker acceleration in Sport mode is only between 0-45mph. And the suspension lowers.

When I had a Tesla MYP, I rarely ever used the quick acceleration. The novelty wears off quickly and one looks like an immature teenage boy zipping around roads like a maniac (my opinion).

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Quad Motor R1T tossing an opinion in here.

I would say having both motors engaged on a dual motor full time for spirited driving would improve the handling characteristics of the truck.

On my quad, I don't use sport mode all the time, probably about 5-10% of my overall driving.
- All Purpose 55%
- Rally Mode 20% (lots of off roading)
- Sport 10%
- Conserve 5%
- Rock Crawl 5%
- Snow 5%

Sport on the quad hunkers down the truck and goes from 80% available power to 100% while also increasing the responsiveness of the throttle. I'm sure there's also some suspension profiles thrown in there to keep the truck more flat in a corner as well. Day to day driving down a busy, bumpy highway to me isn't the use case for it. I however always use it when driving Vancouver to Squamish. Lots of scenery as you drive along the mountain side overlooking the ocean, and tons of corners in rapid succession. Same with the Northern California coastal route, That was so much fun to drive in sport mode last year.

Smiles for Miles!

 

[Kelvn]

I have GEN1 Quad and a GEN1 PDM as a loaner.

First Quad to PDM observations:

1. Driving around town motor sounds different
2. Throttle slight lag is annoying coming from Quad, but the trade off is Auto disconnect for efficiency is nice.
3. Power around town (especially driving responsibly with my kid in the back is irrelevant)
4. Smoother control in 0-1mph (ex. driving off at a light)

More relevant observations

1. In All Purpose, when throttling to pass you feel a slight 2-step in acceleration right before rear axle gets engaged. Not unlike a downshift in ICE but much much smoother and quicker.
   1. Sport mode locks rear axle in so you get instant response (with ramp up of throttle when traction control is reduced)
2. I haven't tried traction control reduced in all purpose to see how the throttle response is
3. Throttling out of a turn especially noticeable in rain but still noticeable in dry there is some torque steer before rear axle engages.
   1. You'll feel the wheel pull straight slightly, then return back to your previous position as the rear axle engages and torque gets sent to rear
4. Sport mode mitigates the above since it locks in rear axle.

I like PDM for the idea same as my Quad, its not necessary, its fun. If I didn't get trim envy I'd say PDM is all you need and more than likely non performance is already enough. But the above observations are my only concern. I'd probably get used to it, but I cant unfeel the above now.

Also to note, the above observations are very very slight. I doubt most people will notice it. Because you can't lock in rear axle outside sport mode (like Tri-Motor AP and Conserve) I'd wager you wouldn't be in sport mode much since its on Low height as max height.

*Disclaimer* I did not proofread the above, might come off as brain dump.

 

[DayTripping]

Quad Motor R1T tossing an opinion in here.

I would say having both motors engaged on a dual motor full time for spirited driving would improve the handling characteristics of the truck.

On my quad, I don't use sport mode all the time, probably about 5-10% of my overall driving.
- All Purpose 55%
- Rally Mode 20% (lots of off roading)
- Sport 10%
- Conserve 5%
- Rock Crawl 5%
- Snow 5%

Sport on the quad hunkers down the truck and goes from 80% available power to 100% while also increasing the responsiveness of the throttle. I'm sure there's also some suspension profiles thrown in there to keep the truck more flat in a corner as well. Day to day driving down a busy, bumpy highway to me isn't the use case for it. I however always use it when driving Vancouver to Squamish. Lots of scenery as you drive along the mountain side overlooking the ocean, and tons of corners in rapid succession. Same with the Northern California coastal route, That was so much fun to drive in sport mode last year.

Smiles for Miles!

I have a quad and most of the time when not on the freeway, I am in sport mode - low. If I lived in Florida I could run lowest most of the time but DFW has some pretty crappy roads even if better than a lot of other places. For me it the the front that is too low in lowest so I've thought about the MPP levelers that trick the suspension height a bit to just raise the front a touch and I could probably use lowest more.

One of the main reasons I bought a Rivian is for sport mode TBH. The truck feels very planted and the throttle mapping is more fun. I don’t launch hard all the time, but I do it often enough to make it worthwhile. If they offered launch mode on the Gen 1, I'd be even happier.

Offering the performance upgrade is sort of like how Tesla offered acceleration boost but likely more expensive with Rivian. For my Tesla 3 & Y, it was 2k for my long range models. For my Y, I waited a week to add it after buying it and for my 3, it was the same day. For me it was worth it on both vehicles and with the Rivian, I think the acceleration gain is even more impressive. So if I had bought a dual motor and could change it into a PDM, I'd do in a heartbeat.

 

[Jonger1150]

It's quite a bit quicker in Sport mode.

I use it to pass at times.

 

[meshugy]

It's quite a bit quicker in Sport mode.

I use it to pass at times.

so you quickly switch to sport mode just to pass another car and then switch back? Seems impractical to me….

 

[Jonger1150]

so you quickly switch to sport mode just to pass another car and then switch back? Seems impractical to me….

I could probably blow past them in all-purpose just the same.

It gives you a stiffer ride, lowers the vehicle..... makes it more track friendly if you wanted to.

Makes twisty two laners a bit more fun.

If budget is a concern and you're on the fence.... The standard 535 HP will do fine. I'm in that mode 95% of the time anyhow.

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