Pikes Peak R1T Refresh / Facelift Model Spotted!

[MountainBikeDude]

Latest from pikespeakhillclimb Instagram. Looks like their using the Ascent model with blackout trim?

Also curious about the added red steel tubes under the rear LCA's

Edit*
The group surmised they are ducting to assist in cooling the rear brakes.

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[Dark-Fx]

Latest from pikespeakhillclimb Instagram. Looks like their using the Ascent model with blackout trim?

Also curious about the added red steel tubes under the rear LCA's

I brightened this up to see if I could figure out wtf is going on under the truck, and I still have no idea.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I brightened this up to see if I could figure out wtf is going on under the truck, and I still have no idea.

Aerodynamic enhancing pool noodles

 

[seanocono]

Note colors. Could that yellow be replacement for Compass Yellow (slightly more orange)?

I was actually thinking the turquoise color on the top of the truck is factory, and the rest is a wrap (or custom paint). We saw a teaser of this color in a "swatch" during RJ's instagram / youtube Q&A in May '23. It also appears to be the same color as the R3X demo vehicle. Perhaps this is the exclusive "higher trim / Ascent" color that was rumored recently?

 

[Chrisy]

I brightened this up to see if I could figure out wtf is going on under the truck, and I still have no idea.

Easy, double exhaust pipes

 

[Dark-Fx]

Easy, double exhaust pipes

That's definitely what my brain said it was at first glance. Would be an interesting future for Rivian if they made a PHEV.

 

[Chrisy]

That's definitely what my brain said it was at first glance. Would be an interesting future for Rivian if they made a PHEV.

With outsourced petrol engine or inhouse development?
I think a full blown in-house development would be more cash burning then the Georgia plant

 

[MountainBikeDude]

@Dark-Fx got a little better with my screenshot timing this time.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Latest from pikespeakhillclimb Instagram. Looks like their using the Ascent model with blackout trim?

Also curious about the added red steel tubes under the rear LCA's

Brake cooling ducts?

 

[Dark-Fx]

@Dark-Fx got a little better with my screenshot timing this time.

ooh, now it looks like flexible dryer ducting to cool the brakes. Smart.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

ooh, now it looks like flexible dryer ducting to cool the brakes. Smart.

Gardner Nichols' key points from last year:

• Lighter Optima LiFoPo 12V battery
• Stickier Pirelli P Zero tires for 21" wheels (standard spec tires on the Lambo Urus Performante)
• Stripped interior & roll cage (as required per event rules)
• At high elevation, cooling of motors, HV pack, electronics and brakes is critical—but they were not allowed to add additional cooling, per [production] class rules.
• To minimize thermal build-up, he minimized regen (low setting, avoiding it and braking as much as he possibly could).

So, the fact this year's rig has cooling ducts back there, suggests it could be a non-production class. Maybe it's a tri-motor or 1k hp "Ascent" prototype?

 

[crashmtb]

ooh, now it looks like flexible dryer ducting to cool the brakes. Smart.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=3621

 

[Dark-Fx]

So, the fact this year's rig has cooling ducts back there, suggests it could be a non-production class. Maybe it's a tri-motor or 1k hp "Ascent" prototype?

I figured the fact that it's a refresh vehicle and as far as I know, Rivian hasn't sold them yet, meant that.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I figured the fact that it's a refresh vehicle and as far as I know, Rivian hasn't sold them yet, meant that.

Good point. Perhaps I read too much into it. At least I didn't speculate it to be a R2Tx. ?

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Gardner Nichols' key points from last year:

• Lighter Optima LiFoPo 12V battery
• Stickier Pirelli P Zero tires for 21" wheels (standard spec tires on the Lambo Urus Performante)
• Stripped interior & roll cage (as required per event rules)
• At high elevation, cooling of motors, HV pack, electronics and brakes is critical—but they were not allowed to add additional cooling, per [production] class rules.
• To minimize thermal build-up, he minimized regen (low setting, avoiding it and braking as much as he possibly could).

So, the fact this year's rig has cooling ducts back there, suggests it could be a non-production class. Maybe it's a tri-motor or 1k hp "Ascent" prototype?

It's still a quad motor setup (see motor temps in corner)
But, the UI has been refreshed, with different guages etc. Yellow is now power in sport mode on wheel graphics as well as instrument cluster

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