First R2 validation build vehicle rolls off the production line!

[savethemanual]

Going to make a prediction, one of the colors seems to be Orange. The car that RJ is shown touching hood of.

Definitely why these images are B&W, there's a color in there they don't want us to see yet.

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[Gen(R3)Xer]

This is very exciting! I hope the put up a some type of design or config page soon so we can see the color options.

There have to be some exciting color options happening or they wouldn’t be posting all of those black and white photos.

I could see the R2 competing directly with the Bronco. So many possibilities for color combos down the road. I’m a fan of the two-tone with a white upper half/roof.

 

[rogersmj]

Very exciting, so glad to see this is on track. The R2 is what's going to make or break Rivian, and I believe they're going to make it. The focus on simplicity for the R2 was smart...hopefully that translates to reliability and profit margins.

I'm a day 1 reservation holder for R2, but I'm torn...not sure what I'm going to do since we bought an R1S late last year. My 2025 R1S hasn't exactly been flawless (12V, half shafts, dampers have all had failures when it's less than 18 months out of the factory), while our Tesla Model Y has been flawless for 3 years...while I've been rooting for Rivian and the R2, I'm not sure if I really want to replace the Y with an early build R2 in addition to the less-than-reliable R1S, even if the R2 should theoretically be more reliable because of its simpler design.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Very exciting, so glad to see this is on track. The R2 is what's going to make or break Rivian, and I believe they're going to make it. The focus on simplicity for the R2 was smart...hopefully that translates to reliability and profit margins.

I'm a day 1 reservation holder for R2, but I'm torn...not sure what I'm going to do since we bought an R1S late last year. My 2025 R1S hasn't exactly been flawless (12V, half shafts, dampers have all had failures when it's less than 18 months out of the factory), while our Tesla Model Y has been flawless for 3 years...while I've been rooting for Rivian and the R2, I'm not sure if I really want to replace the Y with an early build R2 in addition to the less-than-reliable R1S, even if the R2 should theoretically be more reliable because of its simpler design.

This is a tough call. I’m sure you could delay delivery if you say you wanted LiDar/Gen3 hardware.

Every manufacturer usually has issues with ramping a new model. I put in my reservation last year as my wife is in need of a new car. She drives a 2011 Honda Civic and is ready for an EV.

I’m looking forward to the R3, but if it isn’t available when my Model 3 lease expires in December 2027 then I’ll definitely consider the R2. Hell I’d even take a lease buyout if that ever becomes a thing.

 

[DaveA]

Yes its a first year model, but its basically just a shrunken down R1S with a simplified suspension. I bet its more reliable than the R1 line out of the gate. I hope I'm right, cuz I'm very much looking forward to getting away from this air suspension.

 

[portdirect]

Route 66, guessing 66 days until release

66 is two 6’s next to each other: 6/2 is 3... …half life 3 confirmed?

 

[portdirect]

Rivian got a lot of shit for releasing the R1 configurator years before it was available due to COVID. My thought is that Rivian is going to release the specs along with the launch date, so people can immediately start getting delivery.

I was thinking about this too, and it occurred that it’s probably equally likely that they are delaying the configurator as:
* the price has risen to higher than originally estimated, so they want to bury that news by revealing pricing the same day they start shipping (to hand picked customers/influencers - ala cybertruck launch type event)
* the price is still as originally estimated and they don’t want to crash R1S sales for those folk that don’t need a three row.

conclusion: speculation is fun.

 

[usulio]

There have to be some exciting color options happening or they wouldn’t be posting all of those black and white photos.

I could see the R2 competing directly with the Bronco. So many possibilities for color combos down the road. I’m a fan of the two-tone with a white upper half/roof.

If we learn anything from R1, get the good colors while you can. Otherwise you’re waiting for a special edition Miami car

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I was thinking about this too, and it occurred that it’s probably equally likely that they are delaying the configurator as:
* the price has risen to higher than originally estimated, so they want to bury that news by revealing pricing the same day they start shipping (to hand picked customers/influencers - ala cybertruck launch type event)
* the price is still as originally estimated and they don’t want to crash R1S sales for those folk that don’t need a three row.

conclusion: speculation is fun.

Honestly I’d be surprised if Rivian didn’t hit their price target. 45k will buy you a stripped one, but I believe it will get you one. R2 has a lot of vertical integration and Rivian has much better supplier relationships than they did for R1 launch. All the materials to launch R2 were purchased via supplier agreements years ago and there hasn’t been any major disruptions to the supply chain like COVID for R1.

Big materials purchases have multi year agreed upon price terms, usually with a plus or minus percentage for market fluctuations but nothing that should be make or break to hit their price target.

 

[gultin]

You can get your R2 in any color you want, as long as it is in black and white!

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

No lidar and gen2 hardware with limited trim options might be how they keep it around $45k at launch. Easy to crank out quickly.

 

[savethemanual]

No lidar and gen2 hardware with limited trim options might be how they keep it around $45k at launch. Easy to crank out quickly.

I'll add to all the speculation

I'm betting the launch additions will all be dual motors to keep production simple, the $45k starting point will be the single motor RWD later.

 

[VandalSibs]

Honestly I’d be surprised if Rivian didn’t hit their price target. 45k will buy you a stripped one, but I believe it will get you one. R2 has a lot of vertical integration and Rivian has much better supplier relationships than they did for R1 launch. All the materials to launch R2 were purchased via supplier agreements years ago and there hasn’t been any major disruptions to the supply chain like COVID for R1.

Big materials purchases have multi year agreed upon price terms, usually with a plus or minus percentage for market fluctuations but nothing that should be make or break to hit their price target.

Agreed - Rivian will hit the $45k point on at least one trim of R2 - they still mention it during earnings calls, so hitting that prince is going to be super important.

That being said, don't almost all auto manufacturers announce a base price for a vehicle, but the first ones off the line are higher trim (and therefore higher profit margin)?

 

[VandalSibs]

I'll add to all the speculation

I'm betting the launch additions will all be dual motors to keep production simple, the $45k starting point will be the single motor RWD later.

That was announced by RJ a while back, I thought...."

Edit: Yeah, it was mentioned in the Q3 results call:

Here's What The Rivian R2 Launch Edition Will Be Like

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