Switched from Launch Edition Quad to Dual Motor Max Pack Performance -- my impressions / review

[NineElectrics]

You will never get more range from adding more motors and more inverters. Each one carries a loss of its own. A DM machine with real differentials is not likely to be beaten for overall performance, economy and traction; except that the drag strip.

Perhaps someday Rivian will add a second gear above 50 mph, like the Taycan. It’s perhaps too much to hope for.

Sponsored

 

[R.I.P.]

Perhaps someday Rivian will add a second gear above 50 mph, like the Taycan. It’s perhaps too much to hope for.

The Enduro uses the lower geared rear diff for torque off the line, and towing. It uses the higher geared front diff for higher speed cruising. Similar concept, without the moving parts and added complexity of a two speed transmission.

 

[NineElectrics]

The Enduro uses the lower geared rear diff for torque off the line, and towing. It uses the higher geared front diff for higher speed cruising. Similar concept, without the moving parts and added complexity of a two speed transmission.

Porsche takes it to a whole new level, though. Rivan's rear gear ratio is 13.7:1 and the front is 11:1 (at least on the dual). The Taycan's rear gear ratio is either 15:1 or 8:1 and the front is 8:1. So, Porsche can get both more torque, at 15:1, and more efficiency, at 8:1.

Imagine the Rivian highway range with an 8:1 ratio, and the 0-60 times with that 15:1, though I suppose it helps that the Tacan is not a brick. I think the Enduro motor is smaller than the quad setup, so there may be space to sneak a gearbox in there. Warranty costs on the gearbox wouldn't be pretty, I imagine.

Now that I think about it, the split ratios are probably why I feel the dual accelerates so much more smoothly than the quad off the line. It's nice!

 

[anthonysfl]

- Fit an finish on the new dual motor has sightly improved. Liftgate alignment is decent now. There's one paint issue and the third row silver trim still is still off when viewed from the rear. Hood is slightly misaligned, and one plastic moulding is way off.
- Definitely missing the 12V ports.
- Elevation sound is definitely worse than Meridian sound, and Meridian sound wasn't all that great. Definitely going to take it to a shop to see if they can replace every single speaker (or as many as they can).
- Regen isn't as strong on the dual motor. This is slightly annoying, but I'll get used to it.
- It's slower off the line. This was expected, and I don't mind.
- Motor whine seems about the same.
- Camera quality is still meh.

EDIT: the door handle is missing parts. See attached photo.

BUT:

- The dual motor drives better. I don't know if it's tuning, or just that new car smell, but it's smoother, and the suspension might be slightly better now, too. It definitely lurches less off the line.
- The infotainment map view seems slightly smoother. Again, this could be placebo.
- Compressor noise might be reduced.
- The surround view doesn't glitch now that there's no front license plate mount.
- The cabin is pretty quiet.
- No rattles! Of course, a new car has no opportunity to accumulate junk or wear.
- The differentials (probably) give better lateral stability in winter conditions.
- I have a modicum of extra range, which actually will make all the difference for some particular drives into the mountains in the winter.

The (in-person) delivery experience at the service center was top notch. Great work there, Rivian.

You need to give context for range. Simply saying you have more is irrelevant. What wheels did you have on the launch edition? What wheels do you have now? I get about the same range as a dual motor on my quad. I have 20’s on 275/60/20. 343 real world miles over 10 days in my everyday driving from 100% to 0% in conserve mode normal height. For anyone that locked in for pre price hike, going to the dual motor is silly. Just put on smaller tires.
Now I bet if you put on 20’s with 275/60/20 you would see more than the 352 claimed range number. Smaller wheels are more efficient.

 

[LL75]

You need to give context for range. Simply saying you have more is irrelevant. What wheels did you have on the launch edition? What wheels do you have now? I get about the same range as a dual motor on my quad. I have 20’s on 275/60/20. 343 real world miles over 10 days in my everyday driving from 100% to 0% in conserve mode normal height. For anyone that locked in for pre price hike, going to the dual motor is silly. Just put on smaller tires.
Now I bet if you put on 20’s with 275/60/20 you would see more than the 352 claimed range number. Smaller wheels are more efficient.

What AS 275//60/20 tires are you using?

 

[R1Tom]

You need to give context for range. Simply saying you have more is irrelevant. What wheels did you have on the launch edition? What wheels do you have now? I get about the same range as a dual motor on my quad. I have 20’s on 275/60/20. 343 real world miles over 10 days in my everyday driving from 100% to 0% in conserve mode normal height. For anyone that locked in for pre price hike, going to the dual motor is silly. Just put on smaller tires.
Now I bet if you put on 20’s with 275/60/20 you would see more than the 352 claimed range number. Smaller wheels are more efficient.

Most of the dual motor "efficiency" gains come from simple fact that it spends most of its time in conserve. I like how in QM I can use conserve completely at my discretion and not an automatic engage/disengagement cycle happening all the time like in the DM. Only time will tell if all that mechanical action is really going to be problem free. If it is is a problem....the mechanisms are all buried deep inside the middle of the DM. Maybe fine....but as early adopters like everyone likes to say....I say only time will tell on this longevity.

And QM has much greater ability to torque vector directly thru torque application. DM with its open diffs requires brake application to do any torque vectoring, which will not work better in many use applications. With the exception of off camber low coef of friction surfaces where open diffs are superior.

It really is a what does one want case. For all on road uses the QM will out perform DM. Even snow....now that they have worked out the snow mode. Mine is a tank on the stock 20's even with 34k on the tires. At least the way I drive. If one is a tentative snow driver, then DM and it's open diffs might do better.

But for many, the lower cost point of the DM makes for a wonderful machine. Many simply dont care about what the QM brings to the table....and still get the same amazing truck with a different approach to the drivetrain that cost less and provides much of what the QM does. Access to the largest battery....simple access to slightly better efficiency(no thinking about switching to conserve, which in my use case...rarely happens)...and for the off road extremist, that open diff performance in off camber low coef friction situations.

But for me.....I love the QM torque vectoring on pavement and snow. And for most of my driving....simply keeping the drivetrain all engaged all the time.

 

[anthonysfl]

What AS 275//60/20 tires are you using?

Pirelli AS Plus 3

 

[LL75]

Pirelli AS Plus 3

My 21" stock Pirelli will be lucky to get anywhere near 20K miles . I'm at 14k miles and at 4/32" thread. Will switch to 20" with 275/60/20. Not very fond of Pirelli at the moment.

 

[brancky3]

My 21" stock Pirelli will be lucky to get anywhere near 20K miles . I'm at 14k miles and at 4/32" thread. Will switch to 20" with 275/60/20. Not very fond of Pirelli at the moment.

Yea Pirelli isn’t exactly known for having reliable tires in terms of life expectancy. I went with 275/60/20 Michelin Defender LTX MS2 to replace my 21s which were at about 5.5/32” at 8k miles.

 

[HaveBlue]

You can lock the dual motor in AWD simply by selecting any other mode except all purpose.

With a top speed of 110, I don't know that the rivian would make much use of a two speed transmission compared to a taycan. The split ratios are enough unless you are wanting a real low range for super slow rock crawling.

 

[Supratachophobia]

You need to give context for range. Simply saying you have more is irrelevant. What wheels did you have on the launch edition? What wheels do you have now? I get about the same range as a dual motor on my quad. I have 20’s on 275/60/20. 343 real world miles over 10 days in my everyday driving from 100% to 0% in conserve mode normal height. For anyone that locked in for pre price hike, going to the dual motor is silly. Just put on smaller tires.
Now I bet if you put on 20’s with 275/60/20 you would see more than the 352 claimed range number. Smaller wheels are more efficient.

Well crap, now you are swaying me back!

 

[R.I.P.]

Most of the dual motor "efficiency" gains come from simple fact that it spends most of its time in conserve. I like how in QM I can use conserve completely at my discretion and not an automatic engage/disengagement cycle happening all the time like in the DM. Only time will tell if all that mechanical action is really going to be problem free. If it is is a problem....the mechanisms are all buried deep inside the middle of the DM. Maybe fine....but as early adopters like everyone likes to say....I say only time will tell on this longevity.

And QM has much greater ability to torque vector directly thru torque application. DM with its open diffs requires brake application to do any torque vectoring, which will not work better in many use applications. With the exception of off camber low coef of friction surfaces where open diffs are superior.

It really is a what does one want case. For all on road uses the QM will out perform DM. Even snow....now that they have worked out the snow mode. Mine is a tank on the stock 20's even with 34k on the tires. At least the way I drive. If one is a tentative snow driver, then DM and it's open diffs might do better.

But for many, the lower cost point of the DM makes for a wonderful machine. Many simply dont care about what the QM brings to the table....and still get the same amazing truck with a different approach to the drivetrain that cost less and provides much of what the QM does. Access to the largest battery....simple access to slightly better efficiency(no thinking about switching to conserve, which in my use case...rarely happens)...and for the off road extremist, that open diff performance in off camber low coef friction situations.

But for me.....I love the QM torque vectoring on pavement and snow. And for most of my driving....simply keeping the drivetrain all engaged all the time.

Not true. I was not able to get the range out of my QM to be comfortable trying the San Carlos to the states run with no chargers through the desert: even running pure conserve. I now do it regularly in the Enduro running in AP/Auto.

21's on both.

A lot of "opinion" on here from people that have not owned both lol... Reader beware.
?

 

[LL75]

Yea Pirelli isn’t exactly known for having reliable tires in terms of life expectancy. I went with 275/60/20 Michelin Defender LTX MS2 to replace my 21s which were at about 5.5/32” at 8k miles.

How do you like the Michelin defender so far? You think it would last 30k miles? Gain or lost efficiency compared to your 21".

 

[brancky3]

How do you like the Michelin defender so far? You think it would last 30k miles? Gain or lost efficiency compared to your 21".

They’re much more comfortable but that may be due to the larger sidewall compared to the 21s. They seem a little quieter but the pirellis weren’t noisy, and seem to have the same traction (it doesn’t snow here, so just talking about dry). I’ve only driven about 800 miles on them so far so it’s a little too early to compare efficiency due to the temperatures right now

 

[R1Tom]

Not true. I was not able to get the range out of my QM to be comfortable trying the San Carlos to the states run with no chargers through the desert: even running pure conserve. I now do it regularly in the Enduro running in AP/Auto.

21's on both.

A lot of "opinion" on here from people that have not owned both lol... Reader beware.
?

Just do your own research before deciding that Rivian has solved the mystery of how to make double digit efficiency in motor technology over Bosch.

Lots of variables in one individuals perceived differences. Temps....tire pressures...wind direction....just keep that in mind.

Unless we can get Rivian to weigh in on how much more efficient the motors are in the Enduro vs Bosch, we are all mostly using anecdotal info and individual perceptions to make recommendations.

So I am curious...from what you saw in the difference between comfortably making that trip in AP DM vs noway in QM conserve....what is your guess? How much has Rivian found in advancing motor efficiency?

Sponsored