Surprising things about the R1T

I know I'm new to this compared to most of the users here, but I saw this picture that Rivian put on twitter and thought that little step/seat on the side of the bed was cool. How did I miss this??



(this sort of road trip testing seems to be how they are doing it, but they never seem to post video )


Thought it'd be fun to share anything else other users have found surprising about the R1T.

That’s actually part of the “gear tunnel”. Full access through the body of the R1T for items like golf clubs, surfboards, etc. The “door” can be used as a step or a stool.

And welcome to the forum!

PoorPilot said:

That’s actually part of the “gear tunnel”. Full access through the body of the R1T for items like golf clubs, surfboards, etc. The “door” can be used as a step or a stool.

And welcome to the forum!

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Ah thanks! I do remember seeing that now, a very cool space saving use of the body.

Yep that's one of the cooler things that made an impression on me from when it was revealed.

Here's more pics of the seat and gear tunnel - https://www.rivianforums.com/threads/rivian-r1t-photos-from-the-la-auto-show.10/


They also had these cool benches in the shape of the gear tunnel showing what type and how many items you can fit in there.

Stupid question but the plastic storage pullouts are not actually going to be part of the gear tunnel right? From other pictures it shows it's lined with cloth. I'm also wondering if anyone will attempt to drive with the door/step down and longer gear (skis, fishing poles) sticking out.

No they are not. They were merely a display model of what the gear tunnel was capable of.

Thanks for the info guys. Now what other major hidden feature am I missing?

I'm wondering how the bed cover will work... I've seen info that it will be configurable in multiple ways (maybe that's just the rails).

I've recently noticed the "R1T" badge on the back - will that be a hitch cover?

Hydro said:

Thanks for the info guys. Now what other major hidden feature am I missing?

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Have you seen the flashlight that pops out of the door? I'm not sure if it's only the driver's door, or if there's also one on the passenger side.

Krell said:

I'm wondering how the bed cover will work... I've seen info that it will be configurable in multiple ways (maybe that's just the rails).

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The rails will be configurable. The bed cover will most likely be an add-on and not a standard feature.

Krell said:

Have you seen the flashlight that pops out of the door? I'm not sure if it's only the driver's door, or if there's also one on the passenger side.

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So far they have only demoed the flashlight in the driver's door.

Krell said:

I'm wondering how the bed cover will work... I've seen info that it will be configurable in multiple ways (maybe that's just the rails).

I've recently noticed the "R1T" badge on the back - will that be a hitch cover?



Have you seen the flashlight that pops out of the door? I'm not sure if it's only the driver's door, or if there's also one on the passenger side.

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Very cool! It'd be even better if it self charges (or does it?). I love these innovative little easter eggs which you rarely find on "traditional" vehicles.

Here are some more in case you haven't seen it.

Rivian R1T and R1S: Top 10 hidden features that make an electric off-road vehicle

1. Dual LiDAR and front-facing cameras for semi-autonomous driving

Rivian notes that both the R1T and the R1S will eventually be capable of Level 3 Self-Driving on highways. To accomplish this, the company has equipped the R1T and the R1S with a suite of cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, high-precision GPS technologies, and LiDAR. Images taken by Teslarati reveal that two of the cameras are found behind the vehicles’ rearview mirror, while their two LiDAR units are situated below the pickup truck and the SUV’s “Stadium” headlights.

2. USB-C Ports, 110v outlets, and air compressors

At the back of the Rivian R1T pickup truck bed lies a set of 3 USB-C and 3 110V outlets, which would be an invaluable feature for owners who love to camp outdoors (the feature pretty much makes the R1T into a giant power bank). The built-in air compressor will also be useful for owners who are transporting bikes and inflatables during trips.

3. R1T liftgate and truck bed tricks

Both the R1T’s liftgate and truck bed are electric-powered, which gives the vehicle some nifty tricks. With the touch of a button, owners could open the pickup’s liftgate in either a 90-degree or 180-degree angle, the former being incredibly useful for transporting long cargo and the latter being a perfect way to access items on the truck bed easily. The R1T is also capable of automatically deploying or retracting its bed covering, which protects cargo from dirt and rain, to name a few.

(Photo: Christian Prenzler)

(Photos: Rivian)

4. Removable Carbon Fiber Aero Wheel inserts

Rivian’s R1T pickup truck debuted with a set of wheels that featured what appeared to be carbon fiber Aero inserts. Such design elements maximize range and improve battery efficiency, as observed by Tesla Model 3 owners who tested their electric sedan’s consumption with and without Aero covers in place. Considering that Rivian’s vehicles are built for tough environments, optimizations such as Aero inserts could go a long way in ensuring that the vehicles get as much range as they can.

5. Rivian’s “Launch Edition Lunar Rock” variant

While Rivian is yet to announce if it would release a special trim for its first production vehicles, similar to Tesla’s “Founders Series” and Audi’s “Edition One” for the e-tron SUV, photos of the R1S that we captured show a distinct branding — “Riv Launch Edition Lunar Rock.” As such, early reservation holders of Rivian’s luxury electric vehicles would likely find themselves in a special edition vehicle.

6. Ventless HVAC

Both the Rivian R1T and the R1S feature vents with automated controls, with the pickup truck and SUV’s air conditioning being managed by the vehicles’ fully-automated “Ambient AC” system. If the EV community’s warm reception to the Model 3’s air vents is any indication, there is a good chance that customers would be fond of the R1T and R1S’ “Ambient AC” system as well.

7. “Gear Tunnel” compartments

A key feature of the Rivian R1T is its “Gear Tunnel,” a storage space that runs the entire width of the pickup truck and is optimized to store long items such as fishing rods and golf clubs. That’s not all, though, as even the Gear Tunnel’s covers have hidden storage in them, which could fit a small bag. Considering the potential of the storage space, perhaps Rivian could even introduce a sliding rail for the Gear Tunnel in the future, which would make retrieving items easier.

8. Infotainment systems front and back

Both the Rivian R1T and the R1S are loaded to the teeth with tech. This is evident in the robust touchscreen interfaces on the vehicle, from the large center console in front to a smaller 6.8-inch touchscreen at the back, where passengers can set their preferences for features such as climate control.

9. A cool, hidden flashlight

Being an adventure vehicle, the R1T and the R1S are fitted with a novel and very practical feature — a flashlight embedded on the vehicle’s front doors. Simple? Yes. Useful for the outdoors? Most certainly.

(Photo: Christian Prenzler)

10. Eco-friendly flourishes

Rivian has made it a point to equip its vehicles with materials that are premium and eco-friendly at the same time. The floor mats, for example, are made from a thin, lightweight materials that almost feels like carbon fiber. The vehicles’ seats are covered in vegan-friendly materials as well. The company’s attention to detail is also notable, as evidenced by the subtle flourishes of the Rivian branding in areas such as the dashboard.

Reservations for the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV are now open. Interested customers can place a refundable $1,000 deposit for each of the vehicles here. Rivian expects to begin production of the R1T in 2020, followed by the R1S in 2021.

Hadn't seen all of that... Thanks for posting!

Here's a question about the gear tunnel storage - can it be opened without the vehicle powered on? Is the locking mechanism separately controlled by remote?

Hydro said:

Thanks for the info guys. Now what other major hidden feature am I missing?

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The sliding bed cover? The pop-up cargo bars (for your kayak or longboard -- living in Hawaii, I especially liked those) ? The modular architecture (you can remove the bed of the pickup to give you more vertical space for storage or for a van-like covered rear area, the latter obviously at a price) ? Many small others, such as the flashlights inside the door frames (presumably recharging when slid in).

Hydro said:

Here's a question about the gear tunnel storage - can it be opened without the vehicle powered on? Is the locking mechanism separately controlled by remote?

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The access doors of the gear tunnel are opened by buttons on the front corners of the bed rails. Should just be a release latch (not powered) but since it activates the tunnel lights it does draw from the battery. I assume locking the vehicle locks this as well. You can see it being opened here.