Confirmed: AWD upgrade to Performance Dual Motor available via software update later this year

[DuoRivian]

I would assume the cost is $5000 as this aligns to the original price difference.

Sponsored

 

[Schroederhc]

I would assume the cost is $5000 as this aligns to the original price difference.

Really? They have been giving it away for free the last week or so... 5k seems steep

 

[Electron]

Dual Motor to Quad Motor software unlock to follow? That'd be amazing.(Quantum physics joke)

All kidding aside, like what others have mentioned, I'm glad to see Rivian taking another page out of Tesla's book. They need all the help that they can get.

I keep thinking of what RJ said about being net positive by Q4. My usual optimism was tested when I heard that.

I'm rooting for Rivian. R2 isn't until 2025 and that's a maybe, so is there a massive amount of commercial (amazon) vans to fill the gap until next year? Because R1 sales alone ain't coming close to doing anything meaningful this year. Sorry, just the truth.

 

[jambaman84]

Really? They have been giving it away for free the last week or so... 5k seems steep

I also think it will be 5k because that's what it is now if you configure your own vehicle. But I really hope they lower the price.. 2500-3000 would be the sweet spot. I'd upgrade that in a heart beat!

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I also think it will be 5k because that's what it is now if you configure your own vehicle. But I really hope they lower the price.. 2500-3000 would be the sweet spot. I'd upgrade that in a heart beat!

I'd love to see them offer it as a monthly subscription option as well for $100/month or something similar. If you assume 5 years of ownership, that would actually come out to more revenue than a one time cost of $5,000, but I'm sure a lot of people would opt for it so that they'd have the ability to cancel it later even though they likely never would.

 

[jambaman84]

I'd love to see them offer it as a monthly subscription option as well for $100/month or something similar. If you assume 5 years of ownership, that would actually come out to more revenue than a one time cost of $5,000, but I'm sure a lot of people would opt for it so that they'd have the ability to cancel it later even though they likely never would.

Yeah a subscription model would give them more money in the long run, as long as people continue to pay for it. I think they should offer both, a one time payment or monthly payments. Rivian should get money any way they can at this point.

 

[Electron]

I'd love to see them offer it as a monthly subscription option as well for $100/month or something similar. If you assume 5 years of ownership, that would actually come out to more revenue than a one time cost of $5,000, but I'm sure a lot of people would opt for it so that they'd have the ability to cancel it later even though they likely never would.

I agree. Monthly would be the way to go, like Tesla and the monthly FSD option.

 

[HaveBlue]

I think it would be a Dick move if Rivian ties the cell subscription to all sorts of other things that came with the car such as Driver+ functionality and Nav/Charger status. I realize that these functions need an internet connection but that's a $10/month service.

If they want to sell some new service, fine but heading the way of Tesla by disabling speakers already in the car or renting you your seat heaters like BMW is going to piss people off big time. It's already in the shadows with performance and battery locks.

 

[misterturbo]

I’d be in for more drive modes on my non performance dual motor for a nice low price . Don’t really need more power, realistically 500+ is plenty for a truck. Really any truck lol.

 

[Grabs10]

They need to make the dual Motor performance its own package so they sell. Then offer various software upgrades on the standard dual motor that will up the hp in cements but short of the performance numbers. Maybe offer a software upgrade for 585 hp for $2000 and maybe 610 hp for $3000 and 640 hp for $4000 and the performance hp levels would be you should have paid the $5000 for the performance up so trade in and upgrade

Also over an annual subscription fee of $99 for Apple car play/android auto for those that want it.

Rivian needs to become profitable and needs to start taking more money from people that want all these extra features

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

For this I'm not a big fan of subscription simply because it's not something that gets continually updated like FSD. I do believe Rivian is planning to offer a sub for more advanced driver assist.

 

[Rivdog]

I think it would be a Dick move if Rivian ties the cell subscription to all sorts of other things that came with the car such as Driver+ functionality and Nav/Charger status. I realize that these functions need an internet connection but that's a $10/month service.

If they want to sell some new service, fine but heading the way of Tesla by disabling speakers already in the car or renting you your seat heaters like BMW is going to piss people off big time. It's already in the shadows with performance and battery locks.

Rivian has advertised that Driver + will always be included without any extra fees, fortunately. Ford’s absolutely absurd pricing for BlueCruise still shocks me, and makes me glad I don’t have a Mach E anymore.

 

[Kidentist]

NOT a fan of subscriptions (disclaimer: I do have Netflix and Hulu), but if you want to pay for more good for you. As long as they don't "take away" features already included.....fine by me.

 

[c7abe]

This weekend I realized that acceleration is not the only advantage to the performance version. When I bought mine I always had it in the back of my mind that there would be situations where I wouldn't want a 7000lb front wheel drive car. I hate front wheel drive but the automatic mode is not noticable coasting down the road so I've largely not had an issue. When towing or in off-road mode it also locks in. However coming down through the mountains, I can really tell that it pushes and under steers in the corners. Only the front motor is regenerating/braking and the front wheels aren't happy about all that even when not pushing it in the corners. Dropping into sport mode instantly settles the handling and removes the under steer as well as making the Regen more robust because both are in use.

Btw, since the last firmware update, the suspension is less bouncy without being harsh. I tried out extra low in sport mode and it felt solid and tight. Previously even low was horribly bouncy. Do non performance versions have 5 ride heights?

Quad owners can simulate this scenario by switching to conserve.

I reported this as a bug to support but haven't heard back yet. Extreme acceleration triggers the back motor, extreme deceleration should do the same.

Currently I switch stability to "reduced" which triggers AWD when coming down canyons or around town.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Hi Cordell,

We hope you are doing well! I can confirm that you will have the option to upgrade to the performance dual motor later this year. I wish I had a date to share, but my team's insight is fairly limited. The upgrade will be available via a software update, and we plan to share more information as we get closer to launch. If there is anything else we can do to assist, please let us know!

I'm going to speculate we get this upgrade ability in Q4 of 2024 so we can please Wall Street and Rivian shareholders.

Sponsored