Help CleanTechnica’s work by means of a Substack subscription or on Stripe.
When Rivian first revealed its R2 electrical SUV on March 7, 2024, it additionally unveiled the R3 and R3X — two fashions that have been within the works and due out someday after the R2 was launched. The R3 is a five-door SUV that’s anticipated to be the least costly mannequin Rivian presents. The R3X variant will goal those that desire a efficiency or off-road succesful automobile. The R2 is in manufacturing, which implies the corporate can now take the subsequent step in its quest to grow to be a viable mass market producer.
In an interview with The Drive final week, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe confirmed that his firm nonetheless plans to place the sporty compact SUV into manufacturing — in all probability earlier than the tip of the last decade. Costs for the brand new fashions haven’t been introduced, however Rivian claims the R3 will begin at lower than the R2’s beginning worth of round $45,000. Automotive and Driver this week estimated the worth of the R3 at between $37,000 and $47,000.
The R3 and R3X will seemingly be constructed on the firm’s new manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, which is anticipated to be accomplished in 2028. That manufacturing unit is being funded partly by the billions of {dollars} Volkswagen is investing within the firm to assist it create a glitch-free software program platform for its electrical automobiles. There are studies that the Rivian-developed zonal structure could also be made accessible to different producers.
Rivian has but to disclose any specs for the R3 or R3X, however has stated they are going to be constructed on the identical platform because the R2. Two battery sizes can be accessible, with the bigger battery offering an EPA-estimated vary of greater than 300 miles. It’ll incorporate the NACS charging system that may interface seamlessly with Tesla Superchargers. The corporate means that when utilizing a high-power Degree 3 charger, the R3 can be able to charging from 10 to 80 p.c battery capability in fewer than half-hour.
Three Seconds, No Ready
Rivian has stated the R3 and R3X can be accessible in a single- or dual-motor configuration, in addition to a three-motor variant that may hustle the automobiles from 0 to 60 mph in underneath 3 seconds. Not the quickest electrical automobile on the earth, however fairly rattling fast for the worth. The tri-motor variations of the R1S and R1T are rated at 850 hp and 1,103 ft lb of torque. There isn’t a assure the efficiency model of the R3X could have related specs, however it’s tantalizing to consider a backroad blaster having that type of road cred.
The R3X would be the high-performance model of the brand new mannequin and can be accessible earlier than the usual model. It’ll function extra floor clearance and will provide an off-road suspension package deal for many who wish to bash some backroads within the boonies. It’ll function totally different wheels and bumpers in addition to distinctive two-tone accents each inside and outside.
Styling Inspiration
Rivian’s chief design officer, Jeff Hammoud, advised The Drive the angular hatchback design of the R3 and R3X was impressed by Group B rally automobiles of the Nineteen Eighties — notably the Audi Quattro and Lancia Delta Integrale. Whereas that could be true, readers may even see a exceptional resemblance to the Plymouth Horizon/Dodge Omni twins that helped introduce America to front-wheel-drive automobiles.
Senior editor and exalted Grand Pooh-bah Zachary Shahan wrote earlier this 12 months that the shenanigans by Musk and the alleged president could have unwittingly created house for Rivian to achieve success. “Elon Musk’s political extremism has pushed numerous individuals away from Tesla. Quite a few Tesla house owners won’t purchase one other one, and many individuals who would have been open to purchasing a Tesla now not are. What which means is there are lots of people eager on shopping for a pleasant EV from an EV-only firm, and the Illinois-based model will get their enterprise,” Zachary stated.
“Collectively, Elon Musk and Donald Trump additionally primarily ended US gas economic system requirements, shut down the federal EV tax credit score, and advised automakers to pack up their EV enterprise and return to ICEs. Ford simply introduced a $19.5 billion EV write-off and an excessive shift in its EV merchandise and plans. Different legacy automakers are doing related issues.
“What which means, although, is that individuals out there for an electrical automobile are going to have fewer choices, pushing extra of them into the lap of Rivian. As a result of Tesla and legacy automakers ceding market place, Rivian can discover extra patrons, scale up, and, probably, get to web profitability.”
A 3-second, tri-motor, efficiency electrical sizzling hatch for $45,000? The place can we enroll?
Join CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and excessive stage summaries, join our every day publication, and comply with us on Google Information!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Need to promote? Need to recommend a visitor for our CleanTech Speak podcast? Contact us right here.
Join our every day publication for 15 new cleantech tales a day. Or join our weekly one on prime tales of the week if every day is simply too frequent.
CleanTechnica makes use of affiliate hyperlinks. See our coverage right here.
CleanTechnica’s Remark Coverage
