"Design Yours" link on R2 website

[SANZC02]

My take, if you absolutely need the advanced driver+ autonomy, wait for the latest hardware and the software to be installed before your purchase.

Based on my Models S purchase and my R1S purchase, I’m not buying anything with what might become available. Both of those vehicles are limited based on what was being touted by Tesla and Rivian. I’m fine with what both are currently capable of but I personally did not rely on what could be delivered and based the purchase on what they were capable of at delivery.

My wife will be driving the R2, she does not even use what the vehicles we have are capable of so she is fine getting the current hardware group on the LE edition.

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[rbdavis808]

Perhaps the Lidar R2 will begin deliveries before 12/31/2026, but given that things almost always take longer and cost more than you first imagine, and given life's unexpected surprises, like tornados, for instance, I am not expecting such a vehicle to be widely available to the public this year, even if RJ specifically promised it to be so, which I don't think he does here.

I can't believe that people here are trying to parse the microscopically split hair between end-of-26 and early-27. You all know that's a one-day difference, yes? And it's seven months from now, and in reference to a car that is just now going into production? Sheesh.

 

[SolidTHX1138]

The way this is shaping up, it seems that all the real 'production' R2's will be Gen 3 with LiDAR in the fall which makes a lot of sense. Who wants to drop $60-65K on a vehicle that will be obsolete in just a couple of months?

I do. I don't give a F about Gen3 with LiDAR. Zero factor in buying the R2 for me.

 

[dleepnw]

I'm pretty sure that Rivian/RJ has stated that R3 is gonna come online when the Georgia factory does, which right now is scheduled for 2028. Obviously that date can slip, but it's not "vague", more that it's just dependent on something else first.... and something that was delayed due to outside interference.

Regarding lidar, I think that the current R2 bodies have the spot for the lidar sensor - it's just being covered up in these initial models with a filler part.

Its a little more than just adding the Lidar. Rivian also has to install the Rivian Autonomy Platform (RAP). If its as easy as plug and play then manufacturing will be straight forward, but I suspect it might be more complicated. And between when customer deliveries start and they are ready to ship Lidar/RAP, there could be other changes and adjustments due to issues with current builds and/or changes to design.

I'm also curious to know if Rivian will ship these with their recently announced in-house Lidar or off the shelf. If its off the shelf then the life of the initial Lidar equipped vehicles could be in jeopardy. We've seen that with other parts Rivian initially went off the shelf, then went in-house with. Mobileeye being the obvious one. It might be better not to get the early versions of the Lidar equipped R2 if its off the shelf equipment. Something to consider.

 

[srkz]

the only change is for autonomy. Not batteries (range, charging, thermal management), infotainment, motors, suspension etc.
Even for autonomy current stack can do L3 and has headspace to improve over the next few years.

You’ve said this a lot and with confidence all over the forums but unless you’re secretly RJ there is no proof to back it up.

It is reasonable that the drive train and batteries are locked in and if that’s all you care about then everything else doesn’t matter. If you want to be a part of Rivian’s new laser focus on AI and autonomy over the next 5+ years then spending $60k on the outgoing lame-duck version now instead of waiting six months for them to bring it in house is probably not the clever move.

Personally the autonomy is the only thing interesting to me in the R2 - the battery, cooling, and drive train are pretty average and increasingly feeling like “last gen” compared to everything else coming out in the rest of the world.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

Personally the autonomy is the only thing interesting to me in the R2 - the battery, cooling, and drive train are pretty average and increasingly feeling like “last gen” compared to everything else coming out in the rest of the world.

Same. Battery/charging tech is 2018-2020 era Model 3/Model Y. I charge mainly at home, so it’s not as big of a concern for me.

My big hope for the R2 is the autonomy platform, and it’s a bonus that it actually looks “normal.”

 

[DuoRivian]

You’ve said this a lot and with confidence all over the forums but unless you’re secretly RJ there is no proof to back it up.

It is reasonable that the drive train and batteries are locked in and if that’s all you care about then everything else doesn’t matter. If you want to be a part of Rivian’s new laser focus on AI and autonomy over the next 5+ years then spending $60k on the outgoing lame-duck version now instead of waiting six months for them to bring it in house is probably not the clever move.

Personally the autonomy is the only thing interesting to me in the R2 - the battery, cooling, and drive train are pretty average and increasingly feeling like “last gen” compared to everything else coming out in the rest of the world.

And you have been popping up a lot trying to discourage people buying with tales of obsolescence as soon as people buy. The only change is autonomy.
It is sensible that the design, batteries, motors, infotainment chip (and capability), suspension etc are locked in. Other than paint colors, maybe interior colors and the upcoming tri motor there will be no significant changes that consumers will see. Do you really think within 1-2 years of build they would be changing major items - does not make financial sense so does not need a mystic ball to see that.
If people took the attitude that lots will change soon after purchase then few would buy since something “better”’ is coming “soon”.

 

[sparked]

I'm also curious to know if Rivian will ship these with their recently announced in-house Lidar or off the shelf. If its off the shelf then the life of the initial Lidar equipped vehicles could be in jeopardy. We've seen that with other parts Rivian initially went off the shelf, then went in-house with. Mobileeye being the obvious one. It might be better not to get the early versions of the Lidar equipped R2 if its off the shelf equipment. Something to consider.

There is no in-house lidar deal. Just something they are exploring as a possibility.

There aren't a lot of clear off-the-shelf options for this exact lidar at this price point. Hard to even figure out the exact manufacturer. There's a new one from a company called Innoviz that has a VW connection.

 

[savethemanual]

I can't believe that people here are trying to parse the microscopically split hair between end-of-26 and early-27. You all know that's a one-day difference, yes? And it's seven months from now, and in reference to a car that is just now going into production? Sheesh.

Haha, apparently you haven't been on here long enough. The arguing over who is right and the hair splitting is comical .

 

[mellowthecat]

Haha, apparently you haven't been on here long enough. The arguing over who is right and the hair splitting is comical .

Isn’t this the purpose of Internet forums?

 

[srkz]

Do you really think within 1-2 years of build they would be changing major items

Like I said, the autonomy platform is the 6-month lame duck and autonomy is the driving focus of the company. That’s all from them, not me. That’s all I’m talking about. I do think they’ll also go back to real door handles sometime in the next year or so but that’s just a (hopeful) guess.

I look forward to one of us eating crow a year from now though!

 

[Count Orlok]

Please remind me, how many "influencers" got to buy a R1 before everyone else?

This time around, all the Rivian "influencers" have very early reservations, just like many of the rest of us. And yes, you'll be hearing from them early on, because they are in need of attention. That doesn't equate to them getting bumped to the front of the line.

But Rivian does not have any history of selling the first hundreds or even thousands of vehicles to "influencers" like you suggest. That's an entirely different thing than having a small fleet available for loan to various outlets for review and publicity (which is already happening, BTW).

...Kyle and Kim coffee have entered the chat...

 

[savethemanual]

Isn’t this the purpose of Internet forums?

I have no idea if that's the intent of forums (arguing and splitting hairs), but that's what many have certainly come to....for better or worse .

 

[carsly]

I have no idea if that's the intent of forums (arguing and splitting hairs), but that's what many have certainly come to....for better or worse .

Can we argue about the intent of the forum now? That should be a fun thread!

 

[oregonridet]

I’m having fun!

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