Biggest downgrade for Gen2 R1?

[Kacey3]

not really a downgrade but the lack of new paint colour options seems like a miss. The Count is also worried without a big price hike these things are going to become way too common. He saw three of them yesterday in Capital City!!!

I absolutely love the new Storm Blue, but if I were to upgrade, it would be to a Dual, which doesn't even get the new color.

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[Dark-Fx]

Not redesigning the fugly front end during the refresh was a miss.

Face transplants are expensive.

There appears to still be a manual door release, in the same place as the current interior door release handles.

Only true of the front doors. Rear door has the manual release under the panel behind the carveout behind the button.

Cost savings here was switching to electronic child locks. Which are sort of an upgrade over manual locks? Hiding the release was to make the electronic child locks effective.

 

[iansriv]

There appears to still be a manual door release, in the same place as the current interior door release handles.

Only for the two front doors.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

The foglight removal is a bit of a miss. I understand they stated they can achieve similar or better results from their new Active lighting system, but I question that a bit.

No A/B pillar grab handles... Big Miss, but not a removal from R1, just a hopeful inclusion that was left out.

I don't consider the removal of some of the frunk under storage a miss because the trade off is the inclusion of a heat pump, and it had to go somewhere.

I'm curious if the new premium system isn't just the current Rivian Elevation system, and the standard one is just a walked back standard offering similar to the early days standard trim (can't remember the naming). Edit it was the Explore Package

Now, two things that while they sorta make sense, also are a bit of a "huh?"

- DRL charge status. This was always a bit of a thing where the light bar would progressively fill as the charge level increased. Then at launch they chose to do a pulsing effect. The front DRL at least can progressively expand from the center out as you approach, can the rear subset one do the same? Also, does anyone know if the front and rear are RGBW or just GW and RW?

- Driver+ While I rarely use it even on long trips, the hardware was always touted as level 3 capable, but then has been walked back as time has gone by. I assume this is similar to tesla where FSD is harder than anyone expects, but there has to be a way to have a more efficient code that can run on both rather than just brute forcing it with faster chips? Camera resolution limitations make sense, but you'd think the placement of them would have been at least scrutinized in the years lead up to production to be in the most ideal locations. Love the cameras, but hate the potato quality

 

[Davethadog]

What's the downgrade to the door handles? I assumed that the little button would be an addition to the proximity auto-presenting as opposed to replacing it, is that incorrect, or is there some other change, too?

Although I think even if it does replace the auto-presenting it's still a lateral move at worst. The proximity unlock behavior at home is frustrating no matter which option you choose.

im talking about the interior as well. What the hell is wrong with a physical latch? There isn’t even an option to open the rear doors physically without removing a trim panel. I’m not too keen on that especially on a car that from time to time has low voltage battery problems. But while we’re on the subject, the auto presenting handles are fine I guess but capacitive unlock works well on every car that uses it and the proximity unlock is fussy and a solution to a problem that didn’t exist.

 

[racekarl]

im talking about the interior as well. What the hell is wrong with a physical latch?

I understand why Teslas have the unlock button due to their frameless windows, but it's not clear why replacing the manual door pull would be beneficial in the R1. I see @Dark-Fx speculated that the reason was to save money by removing the physical child lock, but it's hard to imagine that being such an expensive part that replacing it justifies all the additional engineering, testing, etc. that went into this move. I know this is what is planned for the R2 but it seems doubtful that the door card or interior handles will be shared between R1 and R2.

Maybe those metal(?) door pulls in the G1 R1 are themselves really expensive?

 

[CANCERDOC]

The upgrades are palpable and a nice thing to have - the improved computational architecture, better cameras, refinements to the R1S suspension, future matrix headlights.

The downsides are the increased price and smaller large battery.

As much as I like the 1st gen turn signals, I'd gladly trade that for matrix headlamps.

I kind of wish they would add a shade for the large sunroof though, as the electrochromic glass is just a gadget and honestly a manual shade would be just fine for me.

Overall it is an improved product.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

NO MORE GREEN INTERIOR. ???

Also agree with the door handles, and they should have just switched to NACS at this point. If this is "1.2", are we going to get a "1.3" in a few more months with just a switch to NACS?

 

[Dark-Fx]

I understand why Teslas have the unlock button due to their frameless windows, but it's not clear why replacing the manual door pull would be beneficial in the R1. I see @Dark-Fx speculated that the reason was to save money by removing the physical child lock, but it's hard to imagine that being such an expensive part that replacing it justifies all the additional engineering, testing, etc. that went into this move. I know this is what is planned for the R2 but it seems doubtful that the door card or interior handles will be shared between R1 and R2.

Maybe those metal(?) door pulls in the G1 R1 are themselves really expensive?

I imagine the replacements are meant to be emergency door pulls, not used all the time. Likely means the locking unlocking mechanisms are simplified. There is no physical attachment to the outside door handle, since that handle is now an electronic switch. Will be curious to find out if the interior handle stands up to constant use, but it's going to be awkward to pull on it since you have to either twist your hand around or use your opposite hand.

The rear release looks to just be a cable pull, which is way simplified. You have to remember the cost reduction isn't just about the price of the part, but also the installation labor involved. Rivian could be eliminating several work stations with these changes. It probably also means the door hardware will now be identical in R2.

 

[cwang089]

The exterior door handles is an upgrade. The lack of door handles in the interior are the downgrade

I view it as an upgrade. The existing door handles are in a weird area

 

[Dark-Fx]

NO MORE GREEN INTERIOR. ???

Also agree with the door handles, and they should have just switched to NACS at this point. If this is "1.2", are we going to get a "1.3" in a few more months with just a switch to NACS?

I'm guessing it'll be another model year switch to lessen confusion with sales out of the shop.

 

[Dark-Fx]

- DRL charge status. This was always a bit of a thing where the light bar would progressively fill as the charge level increased. Then at launch they chose to do a pulsing effect. The front DRL at least can progressively expand from the center out as you approach, can the rear subset one do the same? Also, does anyone know if the front and rear are RGBW or just GW and RW?

Fairly sure both are RGB. They have a hazard mode that can help inform traffic where to go.

41:25 if the link doesn't pull in the proper time.

 

[bdwalters]

I view it as an upgrade. The existing door handles are in a weird area

Agreed. From where I sit, that’s the worst located handle I’ve had on any of my vehicles. It was always awkward for me to reach. The button will work better for me. It took me a couple of days to get used to it on my Tesla, after which I wondered why somebody hadn’t done it years ago. I’m not sure how it saves cost, though, with the mechanical release still there.

 

[Killer95Stang]

TBH, these will be in such high demand that I'm convinced a secondary market of knock-offs will emerge and everyone will be able to badge their Rivians with it. Kind of like the dorky neighbor with who puts SS badges on his non-SS Chevelle.

I'm in for an aftermarket badge of Gary "mooning" the people behind us....!!!

 

[COdogman]

Has anyone said lack of CarPlay/ Sirius XM yet?

Oh wait....

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