Why I won't be waiting for Gen3 Autonomy+ hardware on R2

[iansriv]

I agree with OP and would not get it. Instead of a car based system of autonomous driving, I've found a solution for a system that will, in a few years, drive, get me beer and protect the family. Meet 2Myles (my Rivian is named Myles).

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[TwoWheeler]

Ive had a Model Y now for 4 years. Been absolutely fantastic and I kind of feel like I should just keep it and drive it until the battery pack dies. However, the R2 is what I would've bought instead of the Y had they both been available and I have a late April 2024 reservation so should be able to get the LE by maybe July-August?

I use the AutoPilot (AP) or Auto Steer as they have just renamed it to that in the latest upgrade, every chance I can. It keeps me from speeding (set to 3 MPH over) and wandering around the lane, which we all do without some kind of lane assistance. I hear you saying, "not me", but if you're honest, there was at least that one time, where you about biffed it, and it only takes One Time.

So as far as FSD (and I have driven the latest) it's great, but not worth the $$$ to me to pay for it. Telsa just made AP a subscription to on all new vehicles and that really kinda pissed me off. I used to travel weekly all around the Western US and I wish FSD had been available those times in a rental car when I was in LA, or San Fran or even Seattle. Places where my phone GPS could not clearly Identify for me if I was supposed to get over into a turn lane now, or few miles down the road. Like in LA, some of the exits I would miss is because the freeway is about 8 lanes wide and 2 or 3 of those were exit lanes that were so close together on what the GPS showed that I wasn't sure if I should get into one yet or not, since the GPS said the right hand cloverleaf exit was 2.5 miles away yet. In that situation, FSD would be fantastic. However for driving around my hometown, AP is just fine. Keeps me involved in the drive because I have to watch and turn it on and off manually quite often.

So I will probably go through with the LE R2 as I would want the Autonomy+, adaptive suspension, a color other than Esker silver, and the tow hitch. I am hoping that I can get the 20" wheel setup on the LE at no additional cost and whatever color I choose?

I don't need to wait for the LIDAR enhanced eyes off future R2 as I don't want to pay a monthly subscription for Rivian's or Tesla's FSD. I would like to wait and use the Tesla for another year (only have 50k miles) but I don't want to risk the non LE Performance R2 plus all the add ons the LE is getting, costing a few thousand more.

I am a bit nervous about getting one of the first 20-30K units produced and the possible issues, but the unknown cost of waiting outweighs that concern.

 

[mkg3]

I hear ya. But those things you talk about would be fun if I were driving a Miata, an E46 M3, a BRZ, or even a well-sorted RSX.

But when driving something like a Model Y, an R1T, or an R1S... the isolation and lack of "feel" rob me of any real sense of fun....

Since R2 is estimated to be a ton (2klbs) lighter than R1, it should be lot more fun to drive than the R1. Additionally, the unitized body over the body-on-frame architecture should provide stiffer chassis inspire of 5k lbs that R2 weighs.

I guess from my perspective, all vehicles have their own characteristics and how to make best of them in itself is a challenge. I find my Model 3LR shod with Michelin PS4S and very low cg RWD version to be quite agile to drive at 4,000 lbs. It doesn't compare to my 3,100 lbs 2-seter weekend toy but still very good driving experience.

Whenever I had the R1S in the twisty roads, even with the too light and numb electronic power steering, set to Sports/Low/Firm setting, I can get into a good rhythm driving. Just a matter of getting used to its own limits. Sort of like the driving game feedback in some ways. That said, the weight of the vehicle is a constant reminder just how much momentum one is throwing around the road. The shortcomings are easily exposed when fast and rapid directional changes are required.

I must be very old school as my best preference is a 3-pedal driving, not OPD - even in stop and go traffic so there that too. I've given up on MT since they essentially have gone extinct on modern cars. I've settled on double clutch transmission these days for ICE.

Once R2 is available for test drives, and the initial surge is over, I'll go test drive one and see for myself. My expectation is that R2 will offer much more sporty driving experience and be more compliant on the road. Off road, probably be a huge drop-off from the R1's abiliites.

Maybe for R3X, Rivian will map a steering wheel paddles for regen braking and let the vehicle free roll when not on the throttle. That would make driving more engaging. Not a fan of fake shifting EVs.

For any vehicle, ADAS/FSD feature is not on my list of things I look for in a new car at this point so LiDAR and associated options would be a waste for me.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Need another color before ordering. The current palate of mud mixed colors is just not acceptable.

Based on your username and avatar pic, are you SURE you're seeing the colors correctly ... ?

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Red Canyon is a great color. It should have been a launch color for R2. It’s kind of “limited” on R1 now.

I bet they’re holding some colors for limited runs. Jeff Hammoud supposedly hinted at this. They’re not going to say anything so as not to Osborne themselves. I bet we won’t see anything for a couple of years or if sales dip (not likely). It’ll depend on many things, like demand, ease of production, suppliers, etc.

California Dune and Borealis came out in 2025, fours years after the R1T launched. I’m sure R2 limited color runs will be in 2-3 years depending on the factors mentioned above.

 

[richguess]

I only use cruise control on trips, generally, go maybe 6x/yr. I think the Gen 2 will be fine for that. Other EV SUV’s have had drastic depreciation and getting a great as new 2024 Audi q8 Etron is pretty tough to ignore. I have an R2 reservation, and I’m sure in a year and a half they won’t be falling that much on the used market. I want one, a launch edition, but $60k+ v. the $38k I paid for the Audi is a pretty big difference.

 

[iamnid]

I used to travel weekly all around the Western US and I wish FSD had been available those times in a rental car when I was in LA, or San Fran or even Seattle. Places where my phone GPS could not clearly Identify for me if I was supposed to get over into a turn lane now, or few miles down the road. Like in LA, some of the exits I would miss is because the freeway is about 8 lanes wide and 2 or 3 of those were exit lanes that were so close together on what the GPS showed that I wasn't sure if I should get into one yet or not, since the GPS said the right hand cloverleaf exit was 2.5 miles away yet. In that situation, FSD would be fantastic.

I'm unclear why FSD or autonomy+ would be needed in these situations. The built in navigation in both Tesla and Rivian clearly identify what lanes you need to be in as you approach an interchange.

 

[DuoRivian]

Ive had a Model Y now for 4 years. Been absolutely fantastic and I kind of feel like I should just keep it and drive it until the battery pack dies. However, the R2 is what I would've bought instead of the Y had they both been available and I have a late April 2024 reservation so should be able to get the LE by maybe July-August?

I use the AutoPilot (AP) or Auto Steer as they have just renamed it to that in the latest upgrade, every chance I can. It keeps me from speeding (set to 3 MPH over) and wandering around the lane, which we all do without some kind of lane assistance. I hear you saying, "not me", but if you're honest, there was at least that one time, where you about biffed it, and it only takes One Time.

So as far as FSD (and I have driven the latest) it's great, but not worth the $$$ to me to pay for it. Telsa just made AP a subscription to on all new vehicles and that really kinda pissed me off. I used to travel weekly all around the Western US and I wish FSD had been available those times in a rental car when I was in LA, or San Fran or even Seattle. Places where my phone GPS could not clearly Identify for me if I was supposed to get over into a turn lane now, or few miles down the road. Like in LA, some of the exits I would miss is because the freeway is about 8 lanes wide and 2 or 3 of those were exit lanes that were so close together on what the GPS showed that I wasn't sure if I should get into one yet or not, since the GPS said the right hand cloverleaf exit was 2.5 miles away yet. In that situation, FSD would be fantastic. However for driving around my hometown, AP is just fine. Keeps me involved in the drive because I have to watch and turn it on and off manually quite often.

So I will probably go through with the LE R2 as I would want the Autonomy+, adaptive suspension, a color other than Esker silver, and the tow hitch. I am hoping that I can get the 20" wheel setup on the LE at no additional cost and whatever color I choose?

I don't need to wait for the LIDAR enhanced eyes off future R2 as I don't want to pay a monthly subscription for Rivian's or Tesla's FSD. I would like to wait and use the Tesla for another year (only have 50k miles) but I don't want to risk the non LE Performance R2 plus all the add ons the LE is getting, costing a few thousand more.

I am a bit nervous about getting one of the first 20-30K units produced and the possible issues, but the unknown cost of waiting outweighs that concern.

You will locking you can get one in July or August as you are a month later than a lot of day 1 reservation holders. Good luck.

 

[YellowR1T]

Based on your username and avatar pic, are you SURE you're seeing the colors correctly ... ?

I had yellow reserved for few yrs but when my turn came in 2023, yellow had been discontinued. Unsure how to change my user name for the forum. Canyon Red or Blue were next best options.

 

[kugino]

iʻm going to assume that lidar + the new chip will increase the price?? unless RJ said it wouldnʻt.

itʻs a weird set of tradeoffs to consider...if you can get the launch package you will get the free lifetime autonomy+, carabiner, tow package and the opportunity to pay for launch green. for many, the free autonomy+ will be worth it...and to be first. BUT, wait 8 months (just a rough estimate) and you can get lidar, RAP1, coastal cloud interior.

which is why iʻm ok if i have to wait a bit for my R2 (march 8, 2024 reservation) bc while i want one right away and would love the freebies, i also really want the light interior (agnostic on the lidar/RAP1, though)...

 

[DuoRivian]

iʻm going to assume that lidar + the new chip will increase the price?? unless RJ said it wouldnʻt.

itʻs a weird set of tradeoffs to consider...if you can get the launch package you will get the free lifetime autonomy+, carabiner, tow package and the opportunity to pay for launch green. for many, the free autonomy+ will be worth it...and to be first. BUT, wait 8 months (just a rough estimate) and you can get lidar, RAP1, coastal cloud interior.

which is why iʻm ok if i have to wait a bit for my R2 (march 8, 2024 reservation) bc while i want one right away and would love the freebies, i also really want the light interior (agnostic on the lidar/RAP1, though)...

Reports that the LiDAR and RAP1 won’t cost more because it replaces an NVIDIA chip so saves money there and their pricing is set and I don’t expect a change in just 9 months time.
For me I want the black/dark grey interior and the free autonomy plus covers the expected improvements in self driving for many years.

 

[Heavysixer]

I saw an interview with RJ last night where he said Gen2 will support full level 3 autonomy (eyes off, point to point). That's enough for me. Even eyes off makes me nervous!

I also wonder if there will be legal limitations to the adoption of level 4 in the US—we usually lag on such things being legally approved for wide use.

Anyway, the more I learn, the more "free" Autonomy+ on the LE seems like the right choice for me.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

So like many of you, I was debating between:

1. Going with a Launch Edition, which includes "lifetime" Autonomy+ and the Gen2 hardware, or...
2. Waiting until 2027 for Gen3 with LIDAR.

I wanted to share my reasoning in case it helps any of you folks.

For me it turned out to be a no-brainer—I'm going with the Launch Edition / Gen2 / lifetime Autonomy+

Here's why - because while the Gen3 hardware will eventually (2028? 2030? Later?) be superior to Gen2, it won't matter because I don't value Autonomy+ enough to pay $2,500 or $50/month for it, but if it's free with the car, I'd likely use it a bunch.

It's a weird paradox, but once I realized I'd be waiting for something I might not actually use versus getting it free (with less eventual upside) and maybe using a lot, the choice was clear.

Anyway, that's how I puzzled it out. I'm interested to know if any of you are in the same boat.

G2 launch is a bridge to the LIDAR. Its just that and will seen by the used market as the ugly ducking. Like it or not.

 

[DuoRivian]

G2 launch is a bridge to the LIDAR. Its just that and will seen by the used market as the ugly ducking. Like it or not.

Most won’t care, it is not holding Gen 1 models back and many other vehicles out there (ICE and EV).

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

Most won’t care, it is not holding Gen 1 models back and many other vehicles out there (ICE and EV).

Apples and oranges. G2 R1 is not lidar. It’s just another bridge.

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