2026 R2 pricing, range & specs! $57,990 Performance Launch Edition / $53,990 Premium / $48,490 Standard / $45,000 Standard (Smaller Battery)

[Mos Eisley]

Is anyone else confused why Rivian chose SXSW for an auto event/release? It's not like Rivian is known for its audio systems anymore

No.

Because SXSW has long-since become one of the most tech-focused convergences of creativity and culture annually.

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[bronco7777]

So in a perfect world, here's some of the questions I'd like to have answered in today's launch event by RJ or anyone else on his staff.

Regarding the LE Performance R2:

• Will the paint color (any color) be included or will you have to pay extra for some colors like Catalina Cove or Borealis?
• Will this LE have an electrochromic roof or "dynamic glass roof" option available? I'm sure it's not included in the LE package special but if I want it, can I pay to have it added?

Regarding the tri-motor:

• What will pricing be for the tri-motor?...my guess is it will likely start at $67,990.
• What exactly will it include as part of it's base price? (wheel size, extra modes, battery size, etc.)
• When can we expect the tri-motor to realistically be available for purchase?

Regarding the price differential between a 2026 R2 (no lidar) VS a 2027 R2 (with lidar).

• How much more does that lidar add-on increase the price on the R2 (on any trim)?...
  • Example: if the 2026 Performance R2 is $58K; is the 2027 Performance R2 $60K? or $63K? What's the markup?

 

[captainjp]

Do you think this doesn't happen to human in the driver's seat?

lol
The claim is that FSD is SAFER than the human driver.

 

[savethemanual]

9:30 Pacific Time is my guess when website gets updated..,hopefully earlier!!

 

[Dark-Fx]

9:30 Pacific Time is my guess when website gets updated..,hopefully earlier!!

I believe the Ars article landed yesterday at 10am EST. I think that's typically the time of day that Rivian has been releasing news. Rivian doesn't have anything on the schedule today at SXSW, the electric roadhouse doesn't open until tomorrow at 9 AM CT.

 

[tivoboy]

They are probably doing the apple thing, the website won’t update until the media hits are complete.. my guess is that by ~ 08:30 PST the CNBC hit will be out and then the website will update and embargo’s will be ended.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Problem is human will always make these errors where as FSD will improve over time

And once FSD doesn’t make these key errors and make everyone around it crazy, it should be used more. Right now, using a system that makes everyone around you annoyed and is dangerous is silly.

 

[windblowlc]

lol
The claim is that FSD is SAFER than the human driver.

I don’t care about the claim. Who can say right now whether it’s safer or not. I’m just saying human driver is not any safer, and long term FSD is for sure.

 

[VandalSibs]

Is anyone else confused why Rivian chose SXSW for an auto event/release? It's not like Rivian is known for its audio systems anymore

They were also there last year.

 

[Imola.ZHP]

“Better audio than a Chevy EV.” It’s an advertisement that writes itself.

It was a single-payment lease, no car payments for the past two years has been nice and the total paid was less than the depreciation from the Bolt EUV it replaced (owned it two years as well). It's been a great vehicle actually, just very disappointed with the audio. My sister did a single-payment lease on an Optiq, same car just Cadillac, it has an amazing sound system with dolby atmos. That said, her single-payment lease was twice what mine was.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

And once FSD doesn’t make these key errors and make everyone around it crazy, it should be used more. Right now, using a system that makes everyone around you annoyed and is dangerous is silly.

How do you expect FSD or Autonomy+ to get better if it's not being actively used in real-world conditions? AI can't exist in a vacuum to get BETTER at self-driving.

Rivian is using LIDAR to help augment its other sensors to help us get to a better place with full self-driving. But that means that it needs to be used in the real world, not in a lab.

I get that you don't like FSD or autonomous systems because you think they're annoying, but we don't just go from 0 to 100 overnight. It takes time, it takes work, it takes practice.

 

[NY_Rob]

I'm hoping that 4,400LB towing spec is incorrect? That number seems oddly specific and that's the reason It's suspect IMO.

 

[knbond1]

I'm hoping that 4,400LB towing spec is incorrect? That number seems oddly specific and that's the reason It's suspect IMO.

agreed, seems kinda low for what should be easily able to pull more weight.

 

[Sleazy-E]

I believe the Ars article landed yesterday at 10am EST. I think that's typically the time of day that Rivian has been releasing news. Rivian doesn't have anything on the schedule today at SXSW, the electric roadhouse doesn't open until tomorrow at 9 AM CT.

For what it's worth, the timestamp in my RSS reader was 11am EDT. We should find out shortly!

 

[jeeden]

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