Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe pulled a Steve Job’s One More Thing moment at the R2 electric SUV debut.
On Thursday, after the R2 rolled on stage Scaringe introduced its sportier sibling, the R3 alongside its hotter performance variant, the R3X.
Details on the R3 are slim, but the design makes a statement.
Rivian R3X
Sitting lower than the R2 with squattier stance thanks to different proportions including an overall length that’s 5 inches shorter than the R2, the R3 is like a hot hatch. Scaringe teased the idea of the automaker’s third vehicle being a rally car-like vehicle in 2018.
The front of the R3 looks similar the R2 thanks tot the automaker’s trademark lighting signature. The roofline tapers down into a rear hatch with proportions that aren’t as squared off. It looks like a Subaru Outback Wilderness version of a Volkswagen Golf.
Rivian R3
The rear hatch opens like a traditional hatchback, but hides a party trick. The glass itself can open separate from the hatch in a feature Rivian dubs the Flipper Glass. This enables long items, such as a surf board, to be housed within the R3’s smaller footprint.
Rivian’s packaging innovation plays in the R3 just as it does with the R2. There are dual glove boxes, both the front and second rows of seats fold completely flat, and there’s a large front trunk for secure storage.
The simple dashboard features a digital gauge cluster augmented by a large touchscreen housing most vehicle controls.
The R3X will feature cork and anodized metal inside its cabin.
Rivian R3
The R3 will be built on the same skateboard chassis as the R2 with 4596 battery cells. Power outputs haven’t been release, yet, but we know the R3 will be offered with a single rear motor, dual motors with a motor at each axle, and tri-motor powertrain with the latter having one motor up front and two on the rear axle.
Rivian’s committed to the Tesla NACS charge port, and the R3 is expected to have its charge port on the passenger-side rear fender like the R2. CCS charging will likely work via an adapter.
Rivian plans to put five radar units and 11 cameras in the R3 and R2 platform as part of its suite of active safety tech.
