Rivian took a page from Steve Jobs and had \u201cone more thing\u201d to show off during its R2 reveal event in California today. And it was a stunner. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Rivian R3 is a slightly shorter, sportier-looking electric SUV than the R2, and it will come in a performance variant badged as R3X. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said the R3 \u201ctakes the package of R2 platform [and] shrinks it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The R3 is \u201cdesigned with even tighter dimensions\u2013and at a lower price point\u2013than R2,\u201d the company said \u2014 though it didn\u2019t immediately release the price of the R3. Reservations for the R3 will start at a later date. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The R3 and R3X have sloping rear ends compared to the boxier R2. And like the R2, it will come in two battery sizes, both with over 300 miles of range and zero to 60mph acceleration of three seconds. The R3X will have \u201cmore dynamic abilities, both on and off road,\u201d the company said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The R3 and R3X will launch \u201csoon after\u201d the R2 \u201cto ensure a smooth launch and rapid ramp of R2,\u201d the company said. This is based on \u201clearnings\u201d from the company\u2019s simultaneous launch of the R1T, R1S, and EDV delivery van. The vehicles will also be available to international markets after launching in North America, with no timetable yet shared. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Like the R2, the R3 and R3X will feature Rivian\u2019s new 4695 cylindrical battery cells, which is 15 mm taller than Tesla\u2019s 4680 cells. And it will have a native version of Tesla\u2019s NACS charging port built directly into the vehicle. DC fast charging will take the R3 from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes, Rivian said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The company is also promising a more powerful computer, complimented by a sensor suite that includes 11 cameras and five radars. The R3 will have \u201cdramatically enhanced autonomous capabilities,\u201d though the company didn\u2019t specify what level of automation it was shooting for. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
One of the features highlighted by Scaringe during the event was a rear gate window that lifts up to allow for extra storage, especially of long items. (He called it \u201cflipper glass,\u201d but it was unclear if that was a nickname or something more official.) And like the R2, the rear seats fold flat for added cargo space \u2014 which he said \u201ccreates an opportunity for in-car camping.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
There\u2019s still a lot that\u2019s unknown about the R3, but if the R2 is meant to compete with the big boys like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, then the R3 looks more like a rival to the Korean EVs, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThis is the vehicle when we walk around in the studio every season you\u2019re like oh, I want that so bad,\u201d Scaringe said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Related:<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n\nUpdate March 7th 4:15PM ET: <\/strong>\u201cOne more thing\u201d was a hallmark of Steve Jobs\u2019 Apple presentation. A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed it to Elon Musk (who has used it several times). We regret the error. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Update March 7th 4:15PM ET: <\/strong>\u201cOne more thing\u201d was a hallmark of Steve Jobs\u2019 Apple presentation. A previous version of this story incorrectly attributed it to Elon Musk (who has used it several times). We regret the error. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n